Purton FC lose cup-tie against Letcombe to a goal in extra time (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Purton FC lose cup-tie against Letcombe to a goal in extra time

A NEW season saw Purton getting back into action on Saturday when a single goal in extra time took visiting Letcombe through to the final of the Brian Wells Memorial Trophy to face Wantage who beat Ross Town 3-0 in the other Trophy game.

This Saturday, Purton will travel to Ross Town to play for the third place position before starting their new season proper with a league game away to Kidlington on Saturday, August 21.

Having lost manager Alan Clark and all the players from last season's championship winning side - due to Purton being unable to get the permission to install floodlighting at the Red House - incoming manager Chris Pethick and assistant Sean Clark have worked tirelessly in trying to obtain new players.

A number players from his former club, Wroughton, and several from Wootton Bassett and most of the Wilts Premier League side from last season make up the current Purton set- up.

In last Saturday, a 104th minute extra-time penalty kick, converted by Mark Rees, gave Letcombe passage to the final.

Nonetheless, the home side did extremely well to almost forced the match into a penalty shoot-out.

Unfortunately, skipper Matt Dale, up from the back, scooped the ball over the bar in the dying minutes from six yards out.

In the first half, both keepers made a couple of good saves and Letcombe came close with a header and a lob shot.

Even so, Purton might have gone in 1-0 up at the break but for Letcombe defenders clearing two goal-bound efforts off the line.

In the second half, Marcus Hall put two 20 yarders just over the bar and two great runs down the left by Paul Blagden saw his excellent crosses narrowly missed with headed efforts.

With a minute left in the first period of the extra time, Purton conceded the penalty that would decide the match.

Although keeper Nick Finney guessed right, the shot eluded him. In the second period, Purton forced the issue but Dale's miss prevented a shoot out.

Purton's revamped side gave an excellent account of themselves with Finney, Northcott, Dale and Thompson excellent in defence and King and Blagden showing some good touches and intelligent play.

All the others battled away to give the new management team an encouraging start to a difficult task that lies ahead.