Hot on the heels of the two quarter finals last week, the North Wilts League semi final against Shrivenham and Watchfield. The last time these two teams met in the league, Shrivenham won 2-1 with a disappointing Purton performance, so they would surely feel confident they could prevent the Purton lads from advancing onto their first ever League Cup Final, which will be held at Swindon Town’s County Ground.
Purton had 13 players to choose from. Dan and Jake both cup tied, new signing Jay, unable to play due to the ‘3 matches played’ rule. On the upside Andy Hunt was now available after serving his 2 match suspension, and started in defence.
Of the two teams, Purton started the brightest, after 5mins Charlie put in a lovely ball from a free kick, and was scrambled away for a corner. Ryan, from another free kick, put the ball over the bar. After 14mins, the pressure paid off, a long ball from the Purton half, which Louis picked up and slipped past the advancing Shrivenham goalkeeper, 1-0. Fraser puts Matt through, and rounds the goalie but just can’t get the ball into the net. Another goalmouth scramble and the ball falls to Ryan who just despatches the ball back into the Shrivenham net, 2-0. Matty has a good shot on goal which brings out a good save from the Shrivenham goalkeeper.
Shrivenham had a few chances, a good cross put into the box, which should’ve been cut out, only to be headed straight to Purton goalie, Tom. They win a free kick, about 10 yards outside penalty box, although a good shot, it goes straight into Tom’s arms again.
However, Purton assert their control over the match, Matt puts a lovely ball over the Shrivenham defence, and with their goalkeeper advancing Charlie get a foot to the ball and glides it into the goal, 3 nil. Shrivenham win a corner just before half time, but nothing comes of it so half ends 3 nil to Purton.
Second half, 2 minutes in, Fraser puts Charlie through, 4 nil. Was this going to be Purton’s time? bearing in mind in last year’s semi final, twice they were in the driving seat only to lose out. Purton win a corner, and with the majority of their corners were causing the Shrivenham defence problems, this one was no exception, put in by Ryan only for a Shrivenham defender to head it into his own net, 5-0.
Purton make 2 substitutions, James Denton on for Sam, and Declan Harris on for Tom. This did not affect the momentum of the game. Matt puts Charlie through, who gets a nudge in the back and goes down, penalty, which Charlie converts, 6-0. Surely, even the most sceptical supporters must believe it was going to be Purton’s day.
Sixty seven minutes into the game, Shrivenham win a free kick on the edge of the penalty box, which is followed by a corner, but leads to nothing. Purton, themselves get a free on the edge of the box, which Matty takes and ends up in the net, 7 nil.
That’s how it ended 7 nil to Purton, not only did they avenge their 2-1 defeat in the league, but more importantly they had finally reached the North Wilts League Cup final at the 6th time of trying.
Congratulations to Lee and Lee and well done to the team who dominated the game from the start and were worthy winners.
