PURTON began their pre-season schedule on July 12 with a 3-1 win at a resurrected Cricklade Town who will play in the Wilts Premier League this season, writes Alan Eastwood.

Manager Justin Miller fielded a different team in each half and the goals came from Ritchie Saunders, Jamie Sheppard and Jerome Dodson in a competitive game.

Four days later Purton played two games against Royal Wootton Bassett Town, who had been bolstered by several arrivals from Highworth Town.

In the first game the club’s reserves could muster only one goal netted by George Dyke while the visitors replied with six, several late on as the Purton players tired.

The second match was an encouraging display from a depleted squad despite the 4-1 defeat.

Purton's goal was a penalty netted by Joe Herbert. The Bassett goals all came from set plays.

The following Tuesday a squad of 16 players drew 2-2 with Chippenham Park at the Red House. Ben Carter put Purton front only for Ryan Tyrell to level by the break. Herbert restored Purton's lead in the second half but allowed Tyrell to square the match after a defensive error.

On Thursday, a Purton reserve squad went down 7-1 to Cirencester Town Dev of the Hellenic Div One West side.

Marcus Hall netted the Purton goal in a game in which the home youngsters were gifted a few goals Visitors Calne Town ran out 7-4 winners in a friendly at the Red House today (Saturday). Once again defensive lapses were the main cause of the defeat.

Herbert, Sheppard, Rueben and McGungall netted for their management team of Pete Temple and Daniel Allen.