Match Report

Winterbourne United 3 Purton 2

These were three hard earned points when you take into account the strong winds and a Purton side that was unrecognisable from the one beaten 7-1 at their place a few weeks earlier. Apparently, on the day, Purton had to call off their reserve team game just to raise a side, all I can say if that is true, they have a much stronger second string than first team.

Purton stunned the hosts when taking a 5th minute lead through Philpott who volleyed home a long cross from deep. The goal stirred the hosts who went in search of the equaliser it was Mitch Tippins who scored it, in the 27 th minute, following a number of promising attacks. His shot seemingly going straight through the keepers grasp before crossing the line. More was to come as Bourne exerted the pressure and Purton's defence cracked twice more before the break, both goals coming from new recruit Justin Bishop. There was confusion over the first as Justin's 32 nd minute far post side foot saw the keeper claw it back from over the line and against an upright. The ball ran nicely into the path of James Mainstone who tapped over just to make sure. There was no mistaking the scorer of Bourne's third goal, however, as Justin ran in again at the far post to volley high past the keeper Toby Vosper's inch perfect cross. HT 3-1

The visitors had the swirling wind more or less in their favour this half and they were to pull a goal back 10 minutes in when Ben Rhodes inadvertently headed past his own keeper following a high ball into the box. The tension mounted at this point, as Bourne knew they had a battle on to keep the lead and the three points they desperately wanted. With Purton pressing the hosts looked dangerous on the break and could well have nicked another goal to put the nerves at ease but in the end the points were safely secured.