The Red House, 4th April 2009

To date this season, Wootton Bassett Town have struggled to perform in crucial derby games. However, their emphatic 5-2 victory at Purton, during the period of time when the pressure on Dave Turner's side to get results has been highest all season, served to change that notion.

The win sees Bassett move above Purton, with a game still in hand over their local rivals. However, they were made to work hard for the three points, making the taste of victory that bit sweeter.

Bassett were forced to come from behind early on. Steve Yeardley had previously fluffed a chance to give his side the lead but Warren Fuller made no mistake for the hosts.

A swift give-and-go with his brother Russell split the Bassett defence, and Fuller added the deftest of touches to guide the ball past the onrushing Stewart Thompson.

Bassett's reply was just as swift as the move which bagged Purton's goal though. Just before the twenty minute mark, Craig Wall's left-wing free kick fell to the feet of Paul Hunt, who rolled his man with ease before firing into the top corner from 15 yards.

The game continued to ebb and flow, with both sides finding their attacking groove. Midway through the half Russell Fuller dragged his shot across goal but an unmarked Ryan Keech was there to pick up the pieces. With the majority of the goal to aim at, he somehow put his first time effort wide though with Thompson stranded.

Bassett made no mistake with their next chance though. Richie Carter's free kick from just inside the host's half was perfectly placed, and a glancing header from Chris Oram guided the ball home after the defender beat 'keeper Jonathan Cowley to the ball.

The lead lasted a matter of moments though, thanks in part to Oram, whose raised arm against Russell Fuller resulted in the awarding of a penalty. Luckily, he escaped with only a yellow card, but his transgression allowed Warren Fuller to blast home from 12 yards to level things up once again.

The open nature continued into the second half with Blaine Fitzgerald crashing a long range volley just over following a sweeping cross-field move by the hosts.

But just before the hour the game was changed for good after half time substitution Scott Ward bagged his first of the day. Carter's low, in-swinging corner appeared to be less than threatening, yet Ward guided the ball towards the target at the front post. It still appeared to be an easy save for Cowley, but he remained rooted to the spot and the ball trickled into the bottom right corner.

From then on Bassett shut up shop at the back, limiting their hosts to one more chance, which Fitzgerald failed to find the target with from the edge of the area.

Purton pushed more and more men forward as the seconds ticked away, allowing for Bassett to hit them on the break.

Ward headed inches over on one such occasion following a one-two between Tom Ritchie and Hunt, which opened up the opportunity for the former to whip a testing cross in.

With just under ten minutes to go Lee Moulton went one better with a huge slice of luck. After a quick break, Ward squared the ball to the unmarked youngster on the right.

Moulton controlled the ball, and aimed for Ward in the box with a long ball from the deep after the forward made a darting run into the box. He struck the ball way off his intended target, but fortuitously the ball sailed over Cowley and into the back of the net.

The two combined to make it five in the dying seconds. Once again, it came from a broken down Purton attack. Ritchie and Banks initiated the counter attack, with the ball being spread wide to Moulton on the right.

Just before he got to the by-line he sent in a low cross, which fell to straight to Ward. The forward scuffed his first time effort but was still able to find the bottom right corner to put the seal on a convincing, crucial victory.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Scott Ward – changed the game after his introduction at half time. His two goals were deserved, whilst he used his strength to great effect, bringing numerous others into play as well as creating Moulton's wonderfully fluky goal.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – the three points were crucial, but the manner in which they were earned was extremely impressive. The team's hard work covered the whole 90 minutes, something which hasn't been all that common this year, and Purton were duly drubbed. Dave Turner's side showed great character throughout, coming from behind, then not letting heads drop after Purton's equaliser before finally holding onto the lead for good once it was gained in the second half.

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