Unbeaten Purton FC prove victorious in local derby (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Unbeaten Purton FC prove victorious in local derby

UNBEATEN Purton came from behind to defeat local rivals Malmesbury Victoria 3-1 in last week's mid-week Hellenic League Division One encounter at the Red House ground.

The Vics got off to a great start by taking a seventh-minute lead in this Wednesday evening game when Colin Yates scored from a good cross.

This shocked the hosts who, by the break, were level, thanks to a great 18-yard left-foot strike from Phil Fisher that flew past the Malmesbury keeper.

On two occasions, both Allan Webb and Steve Avenell could have added other first-half goals before Kenny Hughes saw his 37th-minute penalty kick well saved by the visiting custodian.

Nonetheless Purton scored twice in as many minutes early in the second half.

Following a Kenny Hughes corner on 50 minutes, the ball bounced off a Vics' defender and Steve Avenell was on hand to knock it in.

A minute later, Purton were awarded a penalty for handball, only this time Hughes made no mistake from the spot.

Further chances fell to Purton with one effort hitting the woodwork and another cleared off the line with two further snapshots also coming close.

Purton maintained their 100 percent league record on Saturday with a 2-1 away win against a Witney United side that had also won their opening two games.

Despite a few scary moments and a couple of excellent saves from keeper Luke Alford, Purton were worthy winners and could have well added a few more goals.

Although the sides went in goal-less at the break, Purton's Allan Webb, Steve Avenell, Ritchie Saunders and Chris Lang had all come close to netting for the Wiltshire visitors.

Purton broke the deadlock after 65 minutes, Steve Avenell bursting past the keeper after heading the ball past him to net with a cross shot.

Ritchie Saunders, who bounded through from midfield, added a second as he toe-poked the ball past the keeper on 75 minutes ahead of two chasing defenders.

At the death and following a free kick, Danny Sollis netted for Witney when, from a free kick, the ball bounced off a Purton defender to leave him with a simple tap-in.