Salisbury travel to Purton to play them for a second time this season, and after a 3-2 loss in the first meeting the team are looking to put an end to Purton’s unbeaten run and take away the 3 points. Salisbury debut their new yellow away kit sponsored by A2Z Cloud, and also between the sticks we have GK Deryn Hutchinson making her first appearance.
Playing conditions are sunny but the quality of the pitch isn’t the best to play on with lots of uneven areas, kickoff gets underway. There is a battle in midfield to win the ball and with some good control and passing Salisbury make a break for goal. Imogen Brady runs into the box and is pushed from behind and goes to ground. Penalty shouts but the ref awards a goal kick.
Purton have the ball but Salisbury win it back and try to advance on goal but are intercepted quickly. Purton are very physical and press the ball fast not allowing Salisbury to string many passes together. The Salisbury defence are working hard to keep the pressure away from goal but Purton’s Striker slips through and is one on one with Deryn Hutchinson, but Hutchinson makes an incredible save, throwing her body at the ball and saving the goal with her head. The ball is picked up by the defence and sent up field.
Olivia Leather is holding her own in midfield and winning important balls and trying to get the team forward. Thirty minutes into the first half and Imogen Brady has a chance on goal but the Purton keeper collects the ball.
Salisbury midfield and defence are battling to keep possession and push forward but it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Evie Cummings is working the wing to keep Purton out on the right side and doing a fantastic job.
Nicky Millings is subbed off for Amy Sanger with five minutes left to play in the first half after an achillies twinge. The half-time whistle is blown and the score is currently 0-0.
Salisbury get the game restarted for the second half and Purton are instantly applying the pressure and make a break towards the Salisbury goal but it’s knocked behind for a corner. The ball comes in high and is found by an unmarked Purton player who heads the ball finds the back of the net. 1-0.
The teams reset with Salisbury passing the ball around but again it’s intercepted from quick pressing by Purton. The Salisbury back line clear the ball forward, the midfield scramble for the ball and try to gain possession but once again the fast pressure wins the ball back in Purton’s favour.
Purton are awarded a free kick in a very promising position, they take a shot towards goal but it hits the wall and is deflected behind for another corner kick. The ball is played in and Salisbury collect the ball and make a break down the pitch but they are fouled. Salisbury are awarded a free kick in a good position in the final third of the pitch. Amy Sanger crosses it in but it’s knocked behind for a corner. Salisbury take the corner but it’s cleared away and Purton now push forward.
Annabel Dugwell is subbed off and replaced by Georgi Bavister in the eighty-first minute.
Captain Gemma Marsh makes a crucial sliding tackle inside the box, she wins the ball and the ball is then knocked behind for a corner. The corner is taken but the ball is cleared out up field.
Salisbury have possession but not for long as Purton win it back and run up the wing but our defenders are on it again and Kylie Allen clears the ball behind for another corner. Purton take the kick quickly and it finds an player who slips out from being marked, gets into the box and with a clear header on goal. 2-0 Purton in the eighty-fourth minute.
Two subs for Salisbury in the eighty-seventh minute, Annabel Dugwell returns to the field and replaces Imogen Brady and Vice Captain Ellen Clarke makes way for Gemma Fletcher. Both players get stuck into the game and as Salisbury try to push forward with only a few minutes remaining, Purton keep the pressure up to stop anything from progressing.
Final whistle blown 2-0 to Purton.
Player of the Match goes to Olivia Leather for her outstanding perseverance and battling in the middle.
Player Sponsor Shout Out:
Kylie Allen – Restart IT Services
Gemma Marsh – Tribex Services LTD
Nicky Millings – Moto-Lita LTD
Amy Baird – Connolly SPAR
Amy Sanger – Dynamite Scaffolding
Georgi Bavister – Restart IT Services
Zoe Alcock – Prestige Entertainment
Match Reporter – Sean Brady
