MATCH REPORT: 3 Goals + 3 Points for the Copses!

The Copses continued their unbeaten run to kick-start 2026 with a deserved win at home to Stapenhill on 24/01/26 thanks to goals from Archie Gallacher, Amrun Sandhu and Jevon Fraser.

Backed by a vocal home support, the first 20 minutes was very even with little to no chances for either side. The first major chances came after 25 minutes with George Steele firing just wide for the Copses after a great team move, followed by the Stapenhill number 17 volleying just over the bar after a mix-up in the Copses defence.

The Copses then took the ascendancy and deservedly opened the scoring through Archie Gallacher's 11th goal of the season after he followed up Alex Barnett's shot to tap into an empty net - a proper centre forward's goal!

Two more opportunities quickly followed as both Steele and Alfie Smith got in down the left, only to be denied by good saves from Paul Hollis in the Stapenhill net. Amrun Sandhu, the Copses' MOTM then doubled the lead as he intercepted the ball in midfield, drove at the Stapenhill defence and fired into the far corner.

Just before the half-time whistle the Copses were presented with a golden chance to make it 3 as Gallacher pinched the ball of the Stapenhill centre-half and found himself through on goal, although affected by a 'bobble' on the pitch, he blazed over!

HT: Copses 2 - Stapenhill 0

Straight from the restart, the Copses had another golden chance when Barnett twisted and turned in the six-yard box but prodded his shot just wide of the post. The missed chances led to Stapenhill gaining a foothold in the game and they deservedly pulled one back when Louis Briscoe's flick on led to the ball being played across for Cameron Steele to tap home.

Any chances of a Stapenhill comeback were put to bed however when Oscar Marshall pressed the Stapenhill keeper into a clearance that was intercepted by Sam Ellis on the edge of the box, his low shot was saved but Jevon Fraser bravely smashed home at the back post to secure the 3 points for the Copses.

FT: Copses 3 (Gallacher, Sandhu, Fraser) - Stapenhill 1 (Steele)

MOTM: Amrun Sandhu

The win moves the Copses up to 12th in the MFL Division One, their highest league position since the early weeks of the season and hope to continue their good start to the year when they host Nuneaton Griff at Allard Way on 31/01/26 for the A444 Derby!