PURTON manager Justin Miller was delighted with the response he got from his players as they bounced back from defeat to sink New College 4-0.

The Redhouse side were left smarting from a disappointing 5-0 defeat at Cirencester Town Development last Saturday but at the Webb’s Wood Stadium, a Blaine Fitzgerald hat-trick and another strike from Steve May saw Miller’s men claim the derby success in Hellenic League Division One West.

“There was a 30-minute period in that match which was probably the best we have played all season,” Miller said. “After last week, we knew that we had to get a response from the players and we got it.

“You can accept getting beat if you perform and lose but last week we got what we deserved.

“The lads put it behind and them and get us back on track.”

Fitzgerald, who had only recently returned to the club after playing for Devizes Town, grabbed his first of the match when he brought Callum Courtney’s cross under control and smashed the ball home.

He netted his second when he charged into the New College area and drilled home before completing his hat-trick with lovely bit of control with the chest and then dispatching the ball into the goal.

“Blaine did really well, but to be fair, so did all the boys,” Miller said. We were 1-0 up at half-time and during the break, we asked them to be a bit more physical - don’t give them as much time on the ball as we had been allowing them.

“Before last weekend’s defeat, we had been unbeaten for 11 matches. The aim is to win as many as remaining games to build for next season.

“If we can do that, then it will only one defeat in about 19 games and that will be a good platform.”