Pure Spartan 4-2 Basingstoke Athletic
This top of the table clash was anticipated to be a tough game and it proved so!
Once again Pure started how they have done for most of the season SLOWLY!
It proved costly after a mistake by Gary Meffen allowed Athletic to open the scoring. Rattled by the physical approach of the opposition and the referees reluctance to punish dangerous tackles Pure's players reacted angrily and this allowed Athletic to control the game and extend their lead when a corner was scissor kicked home. Without the superb defending of Steve Tickner in the Pure defence it could've been a lot worse! It took 30 minutes or so for Pure to settle and combat the Aggressive nature of the opposition with their own form of tough tackling. Dave Ratcliff smashing into Athletics centre midfielder forcing him off with an injury! It was now Athletics turn to be rattled and let the red mist cloud their minds! This was evident when Dave Ratcliff was pulled down In the box and the resulting penalty was calmly swept home by Ross Mortlock. With 5 minutes remaining of the 1st half there was more drama Dave Ratcliff again challenging in the box Inadvertently fell on to the impressive Basingstoke Athletic keeper also forcing him off with what looked like a serious knee injury! The Athletic fans were Angry and were what can only be described as spitting feathers on the touchline wanting to tear out the heart of Pure's Number 5 Dave Ratcliff sensing he had intentionally injured two of their players...
With the Basingstoke Athletic Players still seething and all of their focus being on looking to hurt Ratcliff Pure capitalized and Dave Ratcliff again was pushed down in the box to earn his side another penalty. Mortlock again dispatching well from the spot
2-2
Pures football began to flow the passing became crisper and they created a number of chances but couldn't find the net. It wasn't until the 65th minute when Pure were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box which Mortlock took quickly to catch the keeper flat on his heels and give his side their first lead of the game! with 10 minutes to go Anton Medford beat 2 players to carve out a simple tap for Mortlock to score his 4th of the game. and hand Pure a huge victory over potential promotion rivals!
Man Of The Match Steve Tickner for his masterclass at Centre Back...
Donkey of the day Gary Meffen for his flap attempt at claiming the ball for Athletics first goal.
All in all an amazing fightback showing true grit and fight well done to you all!!!
