FOOTBALL: Late goals see Purton through in the Cup (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Purton battle back to beat Clanfield

12:17pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

Bluefin Sports Hellenic Supplementary Cup.

Purton 2 Clanfield 1.

PURTON fought back after conceding a seventh-minute goal against Clanfield at the Red House last Saturday to progress through to the quarter finals of the Hellenic Supplementary Cup, writes Alan Eastwood.

Clanfield were on top in the first half with Purton edging the second period.

The visitors were disappointed in defeat as they missed several good chances and were also denied by some good saves from Purton keeper Wesley Clarke.

Once again, Purton were down to the bare bones with only 12 players available, but they included new signing from Hungerford Town, Matthew Jack, who made an excellent debut.

A 25-yard lob by Stephen Olphert gave the visitors their early lead. Purton’s only response was a James Richards header and a Steve Avenell volley which both went just wide.

Two excellent early second-half saves by the Purton keeper kept Clanfield out and then the hosts began to take control.

It was not until the 78th minute, however, that they equalised when a goal-bound shot by Dave Gee was diverted past the keeper by Avenell.

Just five minutes later Purton snatched the winner when a great cross by Darren Brown was touched in by Dave Gee.

This stung Clanfield into late action and only a good save by Clarke kept an excellent effort out.

In the dying minutes, a 20-yard shot by Gee might have made it three but it was well saved by the Clanfield keeper.