Purton FC win cup-tie after a penalty shoot-out (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Purton FC win cup-tie after a penalty shoot-out

IN an exciting Challenge Cup-tie away to Tuffley Rovers, Purton progressed to the first round proper via a penalty shoot-out after the match ended in a two-all draw following extra time.

For the first 35 minutes of this tie, played on October 1, Purton made their hosts look second best and were 2-0 up in 15 minutes, writes Alan Eastwood.

On seven minutes, a free kick by Toby Clark was played to Eurshell Fearon who turned past his marker to see his fine cross headed in by Ritchie Saunders.

Eight minutes later, a Kenny Hughes' flag-kick was met with an excellent header by Saunders that gave the Tuffley keeper no chance.

But Purton conceded a needless corner on 37 minutes and paid for it when a near-post header was converted by Peter Thomas.

Fearon came close with a header for the visitors, only for Tuffley to equalise five minutes before the break when a misplaced Purton clearance fell straight to Daryle Cook who drove the ball in.

With the second half and subsequent extra time failing to produce a goal, it meant the dreaded penalty kicks scenario.

The Gloucester side converted their first three whilst Toby Clark and Martin Thompson netted for Purton, but Toby Fowler hit the bar.

While Tuffley missed their fourth kick, Eurshell Fearon converted his. Tuffley converted three more and Kenny Hughes, Ritchie Saunders and Michael O'Sullivan also netted theirs.

When Tuffley missed their seventh, Bryan Halestrap converted his to give Purton victory by seven penalties to six and a passage into round one as well as a trip to another Premier League side, Highworth Town.

At Oxford last Saturday, Purton continued their unbeaten run in the league with a 5-1 victory against Headington Amateurs.

Forced to make changes through injuries and unavailability of players, manager Clark's side led 2-0 at the break.

This could well have been many more had Purton converted the excellent chances they carved out.

Dominating the game, Purton went in front after 15 minutes. A Toby Clark free kick was challenged for in the box by Tom Dingle, but the ball flew off a Headington defender to put the visitors 1-0 up.

After missing several good chances, they went 2-0 up on 37 minutes when a fine run down the left by Tom Dingle finished with a neat pass that was rifled in by Lee Curtis.

Fourteen minutes after the break, Purton won possession on the half-way line and Mark McMeeking burst down the right.

And his cross was turned in at the far post by Ritchie Saunders to make it 3-0.

On 85 minutes, Steve Avenell broke away on the left and clipped the ball over the Headington keeper to make it 4-0.

Purton then conceded a penalty that Phillips converted for the home side on 88 minutes.

Brian Halestrap scored his side's fifth goal a minute later when he broke free, rounded the keeper and slotted home, three more points maintaining an excellent start to their season.