The Red House, 15th October 2005

A Stu Hemsley goal with nine minutes left gave Wootton Bassett Town a deserved victory over local rivals Purton. Bassett were the better team throughout and if it wasn't for former Swindon Town 'keeper Fraser Digby's heroics, Bassett would have won with more than a little to spare.

Digby, who also had his son Josh playing for Purton, was called into action in the 5th minute when he brilliantly tipped over from a Stu Hemsley free kick.

In the 9th minute a spill from Paul Hawkins after a Warren Fuller free kick nearly cost Bassett dear but Hawkins was fouled before the ball fell to the waiting Purton forwards.

Bassett began to take control of the match against their bottom placed opponents and a good run from Matty Bennett after 20 minutes produced nothing as Digby comfortably held.

A crunching foul on the 16-year old Josh Digby produced another yellow card for Dwayne Quinn a minute later before another long range Hemsley free kick was brilliantly tipped over.

The best chance of the game fell to Bennett after half an hour as he rounded Digby but the ball eluded him before the ball fell to Hemsley but his weak shot went over.

A foul on Steve Bunting three minutes into the second period produced a booking for Jason Edwards for persistent fouling.

Mark King and Stu Hemsley both had chances comfortably saved before a second yellow for Edwards reduced Purton to ten men.

Bassett couldn't take advantage of the extra man though and Fuller nearly gave the home side a shock lead. A free kick from Stephen Buckingham from deep in his own half was missed by Richard Gee and fell to Fuller but his 30-yard volley missed the target.

A foul on Quinn produced a card for Darren Brown on 65 minutes before Bassett made their first change bringing James Townsend on for Mark King, giving Bassett an aerial threat up front.

Townsend nearly scored five minutes after his arrival after good work from Steve Bunting and Hemsley. However Townsend struck over.

Anthony McCusker replaced Quinn with fifteen minutes left after it looked as though Quinn was going to talk himself into a second yellow.

With nine minutes to go, just as the game looked like it was headed for a goalless draw, a good run from Bennett freed Hemsley and Bassett's leading scorer this year dinked the ball over the advancing Digby and into the back of the net, notching his 5th goal this year.

Bennett struck a dangerous shot across the face of goal and wide with five minutes left before Steve Howse replaced Hemsley who had picked up a knock.

Townsend and Bennett both failed to convert decent chances with the game coming towards an end and a pot shot from Josh Digby gave Hawkins no problems as the ball rolled wide of the mark, preserving a deserved and much needed three points for Bassett.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Steve Yeardley – led by example at the back, limiting Purton to a bunch of half chances and played a very disciplined game.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – Not the best of performances but Bassett got what they needed and got it through hard work and patience. Even though Fraser Digby kept Purton in the game, finishing needs to improve after missing a whole host of opportunities.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 17th September 2020 at 10:45