Purton FC's magnificent run comes to an end at Downton (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Purton FC's magnificent run comes to an end at Downton

PURTON'S magnificent unbeaten run of 25 league and cup matches came to an end when they were knocked out of the Wiltshire Senior Cup last Saturday through a solidtary goal by Downton.

How they were eliminated, though, will remain a mystery.

For unlike the previous week in the league when they hardly made any chances, this was almost the reverse.

They hit the woodwork four times and were thwarted by good goalkeeping from the home custodian.

Despite Purton losing striker Eurshell Fearon on 33 minutes, Downton tested the visitors' keeper Mark Ayres only a couple of times - until the 85th minute.

When the visitors' lost possession out on the left, Chris King raced through to score before Fearon was sent off after a clash with a Downton defender.

In the first 20 minutes, Purton missed three good openings with weak headers and saw Clifton Soares denied a goal by a cracking save from the home keeper.

O'Sullivan and Saunders also shot wide when well placed. In the second period, Soares, on once occasion, and Kenny Hughes, on three others, saw efforts striking the woodwork.

Toby Clark then had a free kick brilliantly turned aside while another free kick just cleared the bar. Hughes had a shot cleared b y the keeper and another effort that went wide before Toby Fowler also headed wide when well placed.

Somehow the ball would not go in, and Downton stole it with their late goal that finally ended a magnificent run by Purton.