The weather once again played havoc with the fixtures in the Premier Division of the Corsham Print Wiltshire Senior League with just the one game surviving after Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development switched their local derby game with Purton to the 3G facility at the Gerard Buxton Ground. This was the fourth time that such a switch had been made with the three previous occasions seeing wins for the home side who clearly enjoy playing on the surface. However, that 100% record is no more as Purton left the Gerard Buxton Ground with a point following a wind affected match on the artificial surface. Indeed the wind was to play a big part in the afternoon's proceedings with Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev being the first to go close to breaking the deadlock when Bradley Pagliaroli fired in a left foot curling free kick from just outside the area on the half hour mark which hit the angle between post and cross-bar. The deadlock in the match was finally broken six minutes before the break when a Steven Keir free kick from about 45 yards out caught the wind, completely deceived Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev keeper Adam House, and sailed over his head and into the net to make it 1-0 to Purton. That was the Purton's captain's second goal of the season. Three minutes later it got even better for Purton as the Bassett keeper was once again caught out, Chris Avery seeing his shot from outside the box go through a crowd of players and past the Bassett keeper it make it 2-0 to the visitors at the break. For Avery that was seven for the season as he moved level with Tom McCulloch as Purton's top scorer this campaign.
With Royal Wootton Bassett Town manager Steve Yeardley missing the game due to illness, news of the half time score would certainly not have done much to cheer him up. His side sought to get themselves back in the game after the restart but on a couple of occasions the home side were denied by Purton keeper Dave Groom, who pulled off a couple of fine saves against his former club. However, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev did finally manage to get themselves a foot hold in the game 15 minutes from time, although there was an element of good fortune with the goal, the referee's assistant indicating an infringement in the box which resulted in the award of a penalty. The home sides Bradley Pagliaroli made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-1. The same player then restored parity in the match ten minutes from time but once again, as with Purton's opener, the wind played a big part in the goal. Pagliaroli fired in a free kick from 45 yards out which Purton keeper Groom got his hands to but the ball ended up in the back of the net to make it 2-2. Both sides had chances to get a winner, but it ended all square with the points shared. Both sides remain where they started the day in the table, Purton are in sixth spot with Royal Wootton Bassett Town Dev one place and two points behind, having played two more games.
Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 20th December 2020 at 17:12
