Uhlsport Hellenic Div 1 West.

Purton 2, Brimscombe & Thrupp 5.

AFTER A dismal run of results in the last six weeks, Purton were hoping to end their season on a high note, but two goals in the opening 20 minutes by visitors Brimscombe & Thrupp put paid to that at the Red House on Saturday, writes Alan Eastwood.

Purton ended up seventh in the table when two months previously they had looked likely to finish runners-up.

Two moves down Purton's right flank on five and ten minutes produced the opening goals for the visitors via Woodfield and Underwood.

Purton hit back, though, and Dave Gee – skipper for the day in the absence of Marcus Hall – saw his great 35-yard pass latched on to by Richard Crocker to reduce the arrears.

Two minutes later, Crocker went close to levelling things but his effort just passed the post. Green added a third for Brimscombe after 35 minutes but just before the break the visiting keeper kept out an Ashley Gooch snap shot with his feet.

Further goals in the second half by Green (56min) and Deacon four minutes later put Purton 5-1 down. Although the home side went close several times in the last 15 minutes, they could add only one more goal when a great cross from the left by Gee saw James Richards head in from close range.