HELLENIC LEAGUE: Comeback kings Purton back on winning trail (From Swindon Advertiser)

HELLENIC LEAGUE: Comeback kings Purton back on winning trail

8:10am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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CHRIS Pethick hailed the ‘character’ of his Purton side after they came from two goals down to defeat North Leigh Reserves 3-2 on Saturday.

Having gone unbeaten since mid-August, title challengers Purton had lost their last two Hellenic League Division One West games, and efforts from Ben Reardon (15) and Harry Burnley (48) had them staring down the barrel of a third defeat.

But Paul Day replied almost immediately and in the 77th minute Warren Fuller pulled them level, before Steve Avenall, pictured right, secured an unlikely victory as he found the net five minutes later.

The result completed a good few days for boss Pethick, who was recently pleased to hear that two of his players had pledged their allegiance to the club despite approaches from Hellenic League Premier Division clubs.

“If it was a boxing match you might think they would have chucked the towel in,” said Pethick.

“But we showed great character to come from that and hopefully we can continue getting back to winning ways now.”

Elsewhere in the division, Cricklade Town were beaten 3-0 by Slimbridge, courtesy of an early goal from Rob Hine and late efforts from Tom Cole and Adam Philp.

Cirencester Town lost out 1-0 to Easington Sports, as Greg Shawyer found the net midway through the second half.

In Hellenic Premier action, Malmesbury Vics saw three points slip at basement side Bicester Town.

Chris Oke gave Vics the lead just short of the hour but Rich Young levelled for the hosts with 16 minutes to play.

Vics lost the services of striker Andy Varnham to Slimbridge recently but snapped up Luke Alford from Shrivenham.

Elsewhere, Fairford Town came very close to getting a point at third-placed Wantage Town, but were denied by substitute Danny Keen in the 80th minute.

Highworth Town, Shrivenham and Wootton Bassett Town did not have matches this weekend.