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Coventry United v Tipton Town

3pm  10 September 2017

FA Vase, First Qualifying Round
Coventry United 3 Tipton Town 1 (att 282)

Coventry United are one of a growing number of clubs created by supporters dissatisfied by the professional game, in this case by frustration at the goings on at Coventry City.

It takes a lot of effort and commitment to get a club like this off the ground, and United have done well to grow a decent fan base and to secure a stadium, which they moved into this season, to match.

Butts Park Arena is primarily a rugby ground, but with a large seated stand running the length of one side it's certainly one of the best venues in the Midland Football League, even if only the stand and one uncovered end are open for football spectators.

There was plenty of room for the 282 crowd, boosted by a large number of groundhoppers, like me, making the most of a chance to visit a new ground on a Sunday, the FA Vase tie having been switched after clashing with a rugby fixture.

It was little surprise that United progressed to the next round, and as they're going well in a step five league they might have their sights on the Wembley final (clubs at step four and above compete instead in the FA Trophy).

Tipton Town, who play two levels lower, gave them a tough test. They led 1-0 at half time, although it was a howler by the home keeper that presented with the simplest of goals. Coventry United equalised early in the second half, before a second goal put them ahead.

Near the end Tipton threatened to take the tie into extra time but were unable to take the half chances that came their way, then a late third goal sealed the home side's win.









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