Purton FC share honours in a top-of-the-table clash (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Purton FC share honours in a top-of-the-table clash

THE honours were shared in last Saturday's top-of-the-table Hellenic League Division One West clash between Ross Town and their Purton hosts in a 2-2 draw played out at the Red House.

The Wiltshire team went 2-0 up in the first 30 minutes, but Ross Town pulled a goal back six minutes later.

And they then equalised in added time at the end of the game.

In an encounter of contrasting halves, Purton took the first while Ross Town shaded the second.

Purton lost keeper Luke Alford with an injury and Mark McMeeking had to deputise.

Mid-way through the second half, only a deflection by a Ross defender prevented Richie Saunders from making it 3-1 when a goal then would surely have given Purton all three points.

Purton were a goal up after just seven minutes. A ball up the left was latched on to by Steve Avenell and his pace took him around his defender and his square ball into the box was slotted in by Eurshell Fearon.

Purton went 2-0 ahead on the half-hour. From a Toby Clark free kick out on the right, Fearon converted a near-post driving header, putting Purton firmly in control.

The visitors pulled a goal back soon after when Jamie Warwick ran forward unchallenged and drove a low shot into the right- hand corner of the Purton net from 25 yards.

After the break, Ross got their act together, but Ritchie Saunders' deflected shot and another good chance missed by Steve Avenell proved to be the turning points.

In time added on for stoppages, after Purton had twice given the ball away needlessly, Ross Town levelled the match.

A speculative, dropping shot from well out on the left sailed over stand-in keeper McMeeking to give Ross Town a share of the spoils.