Rylands Way, 31st January 2009

With the chance of securing local bragging rights as well as closing the gap on one of the sides they are currently chasing, Wootton Bassett Town wilted and blew their opportunity.

It's twice now this season where Bassett have come out second best from crucial derbies in which they produced inexplicable subpar performances, form which is by no means satisfactory for a team searching for promotion.

Purton recorded a convincing 2-0 victory, despite having to play the final twenty minutes with a one man disadvantage following Pete Temple's sending off for a disgusting challenge on Shaun Terry.

However, they were never really tested following this and even went on to double their lead, which was given to them Ryan Keech ten minutes after the restart. The midfielder somehow found himself unmarked and volleyed home Justin Miller's corner from 12 yards.

The goal was the first real moment of quality in a derby match that was edgy and devoid of chances during the opening 45 minutes.

The closest either side came was a minute before half time when Jon Coole's low drive after a short Miller free kick seemed to take a deflection before going inches wide of the left post, yet resulted in a Bassett goal kick.

Purton had arguably been on top though, penning Bassett deep into their half and forcing numerous corners. It was no surprise, therefore, that their opening goal came from one, but the Bassett defence should have done far better; allowing Keech a free run at the ball was just criminal.

At the other end Scott Ward forced a point blank save from Jon Cowley as the forward produced a fine effort despite having his back to goal.

Cowley then was forced into another fine save, tipping Shaun Carter's close range header around the post following a Terry cross.

Temple's dismissal should have given Bassett the advantage they so needed; indeed, it came at a time when Dave Turner's side were experiencing a short spell in the ascendancy.

The free kick that resulted though was the closest Bassett would come though before the end of the game. And Chris Oram really should have buried his 10-yard header from a beautifully placed Paul Hunt set piece.

Paul Blagden wasted a chance to double his side's lead fifteen minutes from time. The midfielder had rounded Stewart Thompson but fine intervention from Luke Sharps forced a weak shot that the 'keeper was able to scuttle back to and recover.

Thompson could do nothing though to deny Marcus Hall four minutes from time. Purton broke quickly after Paul Fisher had been denied at the other end and Russell Fuller squared inside from the left wing to Hall.

The midfielder proceeded to thrash a low, yet unstoppable 25-yard effort into the bottom right corner.

Blaine Fitzgerald should then have made it three in the final minute. Last man Carter gave the ball away wastefully and the fleet of foot Fitzgerald rounded Thompson but somehow missed an open goal.

It mattered little though. The better side had already sealed the three points on a day when the home side – bereft of any creative spark in comparison to their opponents - never really looked like scoring.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Ryan Banks – no player really stood out on a day when the entire side flattered to deceive, yet Banks was his energetic self.

Scoop Rating: 4/10 – Bassett were second best throughout and thoroughly deserved to come out of the game nothing.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:38