Rylands Way, 30th December 2006

In an extremely one-sided local derby, Wootton Bassett Town thrashed Purton 5-1 with goals coming from 5 different scorers and if it wasn't for some sloppy defending in the last minute, it would have been a clean sheet as well.

The first goal should have came after four minutes after great link up play down the right between Matty Bennett and Stu Hemsley set up an unmarked John Magani six yards out. However Magani forced an acrobatic save from Aaron Dickinson when it was easier to score.

Dickinson almost gifted Mark King a goal in the 27th minute when he spilled a Jon Davis corner but managed to block King's effort.

King put Bassett ahead two minutes later though, latching onto a Stu Hemsley through ball before riding a tackle and comfortably slotting home from 15 yards.

Two minutes later it should have been 1-1 as Warren Fuller slid in at the far post and connected with a brilliantly placed cross but could only knock the ball across the face of goal and wide.

Magani doubled the advantage eight minutes before half time with a super solo effort. After rolling his man 30 yards out, Magani rode a challenge before rounding Dickinson and then tapped home from 12 yards. The forward was so excited with his goal that he slipped over in the mud whilst celebrating.

James Domm then pulled off a brilliant save to deny James Richards two minutes before the break. Richards turned Yeardley on the edge of the box and his looping effort forced the Bassett 'keeper to acrobatically tip the ball over the bar whilst on the backpedal.

Seven minutes into the second half a poorly struck clearance fell perfectly for Marcus Neale on the edge of the area but his shot was deflected wide.

The lead was extended a minute later as a deep cross from ex-Purton midfielder Scott Large was knocked into the back of the net by a visiting defender.

The final half hour of the match was pedestrian stuff as Bassett waltzed past their opponents.

Andy White replaced Magani just before the hour and got his name on the scoresheet five minutes later just after Purton defender Pete Temple was booked for dissent.

On 62 minutes Dickinson scuffed a clearance, playing it straight to Hemsley who shot at the open goal from 25 yards. However the ball was slowed by the extremely boggy pitch and the 'keeper was able to get across to the ball and parry it. White was there to tap in the rebound after Dickinson had had plenty of time to get two hands on the ball but failed to do so.

Bennett was replaced by Lee Beavis after White's goal and with Purton going down to ten men after using all three subs and picking up a further injury, Bassett eased themselves through the final quarter of an hour.

A second Dickinson howler got Bassett their fifth as Jon Davis' free kick from the left touchline sailed over the 'keeper's head and into the top corner despite Davis intending to cross the ball rather than shoot due to the angle.

Sloppy defending ruined what would have been a perfect day for Bassett as Vince McMackin was able to tap home from 10 yards after Fuller had cut the ball back to him much to the dislike of Paul Burke.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Jon Davis – put himself about, winning numerous tackles in the middle of the park whilst spreading the ball around and scored the fifth, albeit unintentionally.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – The conditions made it hard for both teams but Bassett dominated despite not being at their best. Bassett should have kept a clean sheet and also had chances to put more than five past their opponents.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 20th September 2020 at 18:40