A superb cup tie between local rivals in front of the biggest crowd of the season went right down to the wire at Rylands Way with Bassett emerging overall winners 4-3 after Saturday's second leg ended all square at three goals apiece. It had taken Purton just 15 minutes to cancel out Bassett's 1-0 first -leg advantage when Danny Postill was upended in the box and Mark Collier slotted home the spot-kick. Bassett then equalised when Arron Crumbie was unluckily penalised for hand-ball and Lawrence Smith netted the resulting penalty.

But two great goals swung the tie in Purton's favour as first Danny Postill, with a sweet turn 25 yards out, beat the keeper with a tremendous goal that flew over the keeper into the top corner of the net. And then, on 56 minutes, Arron Crumbie first lost the ball on the right before regaining possession and swinging over a brilliant cross that was firmly met by a powerful header from Watkins.

Now 3-1 to the good, Purton appeared to be coasting it. However, an untimely injury to midfield dynamo Mark Gardner, who was shipped to hospital with a facial injury, was to change Purton's fortunes dramatically. Bassett reduced the deficit on 78 minutes when Thomas cut in from the right and his cross-shot eluded Denness before creeping in at the far post. Ten minutes later, Bassett levelled the game at 3-3, also edging back in front on aggregate, when a misunderstanding between Kember and keeper Denness let in Curtis who prodded home the vital goal that gave his team overall honours.

Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Monday 25th January 2021 at 14:46