Matt glosses over final favourites

UNDER 16 LEAGUE CUP FINAL: A Matt Hobbs-inspired Purton turned the formbook on its head as they defeated Stratton Juniors 4-3, inflicting only the second loss of the season upon their opponents.

Stratton have only themselves to blame though, as they self destructed in the second half and threw away what seemed a comfortable 2-1 lead after carving Purton up with ease in the first half.

Dave Glover gave them the lead six minutes in, latching onto a well-placed Matthew Gilder through ball and slotting past Carl Innes.

Glover had another chance four minutes later after a one-two with Gilder but his shot was saved by Innes and the rebound blocked.

Dan Sear doubled the lead 18 minutes in when he slotted into the bottom corner after a Kevin Tate flick-on.

Matt Godsell halved Stratton's advantage in the 27th minute, tapping in a rebound after Michael Peart blocked a Lee Hobbis effort.

Purton nearly grabbed an equaliser seven minutes before the break when Hobbs forced Peart to tip away.

Gilder then shot wide of an open goal at the other end after an Innes spill.

After the restart, Stratton's control of the match diminished instantly.

Hobbs tied things up on 45 minutes, turning his man and firing past Peart from a Dave Murray cross.

Stratton regained the lead seconds later when Sear did brilliantly to keep the ball in play before setting the ball to Tate, who fired into the far corner from an angle.

From then on though it was all Purton. With 51 minutes gone Marc Wood crossed from the right and Hobbs volleyed in unmarked from 12 yards.

He then headed just wide before Wood gave Purton the lead in the 63rd minute.

Hobbs again was instrumental as he clipped a ball into path of Wood who chipped the oncoming Peart.

Stratton searched in vain for an equaliser as they put Purton under significant pressure but never troubled Innes.

And Purton held on to repeat last year's cup triumph over Stratton and also ruined their dream of a league and cup double.

Man of the match: Matt Hobbs (Purton)

Report & picture courtesy of the Swindon Evening Advertiser. Read Grass Roots each and every Tuesday to keep up to date with the North Wilts & District League