Match Report:

Purton played their last game of 2002 with a home game to Shaw. Purton began the game very slowly and were soon 1-0 down. Two more goals quickly followed for Shaw to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Purton never got going in the first half and fell further behind before half time. Half time...0-4.

Purton needed to show their character in the second half and knew they needed to improve their defending and finishing. Within the first five minutes of the second half, Purton created a chance for Kieran O'Driscoll to resume his goalscoring duties, which he gleefully took with a left foot chip from a full 25 yards. Shaw soon recovered their three goal cushion with a breakaway goal....4-1. Kieran O'Driscoll added to his earlier goal, again with a left foot strike. The game was now end to end with chances at both ends. Purton looked a different side to the first half. They were still under pressure at times, but were now creating chances and showing some good build up play. As the half wore on, Shaw added two more goals with further replies for Purton from Billy Bodin and Dale Crabbe. Further pressure led to a penalty which was unfortunately missed and two disallowed goals. But Puton were unable to reduce the first half deficit. Final score 4-8.

Purton Man of The Match:

Kieran O'Driscoll, Ryan Norman

Coaches comments :

"We were slow to start the game again. A problem we have had most of the season. We made a game of it in the second half, but we had given ourselves too much to do. They showed great character again though and never gave up. They deserve the Xmas break, and will come back in the New Year, refreshed and full of enthusiasm."