No Roll Over - 3rd April

Purton manager Chris Pethick, is not about to let his side roll over against Wootton Bassett tomorrow.

He said: “We’re playing good football at the moment and we’ve got an unbeaten home record in derby games this season, which we’re not about to give up without a fight.”

After last week’s draw with Oxford City Nomads, Pethick believes that an attacking strategy will pay off in the race for third place. “We like to get it down and play football, so we will try and do exactly that. We want to keep it high tempo, high energy and that will bring us the result we want,” he added.

No Label - 27th February

Chris Pethick has refused to hang the ‘must win’ label on tomorrow’s top of the table clash against Hardwicke , but admits victory could make a huge difference to Purton’s hopes of lifting the Hellenic League Division One West title.

The second-placed Red House side, unbeaten in seven league matches stretching back to the start of December, host the league leaders and could leapfrog them to the summit by taking the three points.

Hardwicke, currently two clear, have three games in hand but that is not a statistic that unduly worries Pethick who still believes that his stated target of nine wins from their final 11 games could see them get their hands on the silverware.

Purton will still be missing suspended 21-goal top scorer Warren Fuller, as well as Marcus Hall, Jon Coole and Paul Blagdon but Pethick, pictured, said: “We’re quite confident.

“It’s a big game and if we could do this it could make a big difference in deciding where the title goes. We’d always look to win at home and we’re in quite good form.’’ He added: “Hardwicke have games in hand but we’ve got the points in the bag. They have to play quite a few of the top sides and any of those are still in with a shout of the title themselves.It’s not a ‘must-win’ game in that sense, but we’re just trying to win as many as possible.

Purton Win But Lose Fuller - 20th October

Purton's five goal thrashing of Cirencester United on Saturday was tempered by a possible long term injury to star striker Warren Fuller (left).

Fuller already has 10 goals to his name this season, but could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after hobbling off with a nasty knock to his ankle. The Red House marksman has suffered serious ankle problems in the past, and manager Chris Pethick is bracing himself for some more bad news today.

“It was a great second half performance, but the only downside was the injury to Warren,” said Pethick. “He was due to go to hospital on Sunday so I should find out more a bit later on. Warren has broken his ankle a couple of times before, so we’re all just keeping our fingers crossed it’s not that bad. It’s a real shame because he has 10 goals in 10 starts already.”

Fuller’s strike partner Justin Miller hogged the limelight on Saturday with two excellent solo efforts to put the hosts 2-0 up. Jonny Coole made it 3-0 midway through the second half, rounding off the move of the match with a clinical close range finish. Coole then completed his brace before Ciren pulled one back on the counter. But Purton had the last laugh, debutant David Wood crossing for Ryan Keech to tap home and round off a convincing 5-1 win.

Welcome Distraction? - 10th October

Purton marksman Warren Fuller is suspended for the visit of Warminster Town, but the Red House outfit have a more than able deputy in Justin Miller.

Manager Chris Pethick (pictured) says the cup is a welcome distraction, but admits he would prefer to maintain his superb start in FTL Futbol Hellenic League Division One West.

“I would have preferred to play in the league to keep the momentum going, but it’s a good cup and one we want to progress in,” Pethick said. “I don’t know much about Warminster, but we are the home side and we will try to be positive. We played some nice flowing football in the win over Cricklade last week, so if we can keep that going we have a chance to go through.”

Purton Break Cricklade Hoodoo - 8th October

Last Saturday's 3-1 away win at Cricklade finally broke a sequence of 7 league meetings between the clubs where Purton had lost five and drawn just one of the previous six.

The goals by Paul Blagden (pictured), Darren Brown and Warren Fuller given Purton a long overdue win against their near neighbours.

Earlier in the season with a 3-2 away win at Trowbridge Town Purton ended another hoodoo with their first league win against them in 7 matches. Tytherington Rocks now remain the only side to be a Purton hoodoo, against them Purton have lost 7 in a row and will be hoping that dismal record will end this season.

This Saturday Purton play hosts in the Wilts Senior Cup to Warminster Town. Purton will be without the suspended Warren Fuller and Ashley Gooch as well as injured Mark Ager but are hopeful that Justin Miller gets back from holiday to play.

Purton Start Season - 11th August

On Saturday Purton traveled to Faringdon Town for their last friendly match before opening their FTL Futbol Hellenic One West league programme on Wednesday the 13th at the Red House with Lydney Town the visitors.

Matches with Lambourn Sports, Fairford Town, Wroughton. Marlborough Town, Highworth Town and Wootton Bassett Town have provided mixed results but all were good tests for the new campaign. Purton have lost Craig Alexander to Malmesbury Vics and Matt Dawe from last season has yet to put pen to paper but several new players have joined the club. Adie Roper, Ashley Gooch, Richard Casey, Colin Yates from Aldbourne, Dwain Stratford from Forest Green, Justin Miller formerly with Highworth Town and Francesco Pasqualitto from Minety.

Purton will be without Ryan Keech and Marcus Hall for their opening league game due to 1 match suspensions carried
over from last season but Manager Chris Pethick has a much stronger pool of players to select from this campaign and is confident the team will improve on last seasons showing.