LAST MINUTE EQUALISER & PURTON WON IN EXTRA TIME
There was very little good football Saturday's replay, watched by about 1,000 spectators, but compensation was provided by the exciting manner in which most of the goals came - particularly Trowbridge's equaliser in the final second of the 90 minutes period. Thrice Purton were in the lead only to find Trowbridge call "quits" with surprise goals, and then early the extra half-hour period Trowbridge, with a great chance of taking the lead for the first time, failed with a penalty kick, which Shailes, the Purton goalkeeper, saved. Purton scored two goals in the closing minutes.
TROWBRIDGE'S UNSUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTS
While giving Purton full marks for their victory it was unfortunate for Trowbridge that unavoidable circumstances compelled the selection of a largely-experimental side. The inclusion of H. Crook, the usual centre-half, as leader of the forwards, was trusting a lot in the Goddess of Chance in a semi-final replay - and it certainly was not successful. Indeed one felt sorry for Crook, who despite brave efforts, looked as though he was yearning for his team captain to send him back to his customary position. Trowbridge's general team work lacked the understanding and thrustfulness which had taken them through previous rounds so convincingly - including victory over Devizes Town, the cup holders, on the latter's ground. The Town forwards played much too close against Purton's robust and quick-tackling defenders, and they had only one effective marksman, Pearson, the R.A.F. player. Indeed, Trowbridge supporters must have wished all the scoring opportunities had gone Pearson's way. The result might then have been reversed. Kibler and Hancock missed several good chances, chiefly through over-elaboration. In the Trowbridge defence Jack Sheppard (Trowbridge Casuals) played really well, especially as it was his first game in the team.
THE GOALS
Early in the game Shailes handled the ball very nervously, but the Trowbridge forwards did not seem to realise it judging by their failure to shoot more frequently. After 15 minutes Purton l ahead with a grand goal when D. Hobbs literally hurled himself at a centre from Painter and headed well wide of Jones. Five minutes later Pearson, from fully yards out, sent in an unexpected shot which beat Shailes completely (I-l). Shailes was extremely lucky when another Pearson drive stuck between his legs as he fell to his knees. At halftime the score was still 1-1.
Nine minutes after the restart D. Hobbs put Purton ahead again, only for Pearson to head a glorious equaliser from Kibler's centre. Painter put Purton ahead about 12 minutes from lime, and a few minutes later many spectators could be seen leaving the ground. In a final speculation Paviour called Toolhill into the defence and went up into the attack. The venture proved successful for with only a few seconds remaining Kibler centred and in an exciting goalmouth scramble, during which a shot (from Paviour it looked) came off an upright, and as the ball bobbed back into the goalmouth Crook headed it into the net (3-3). Referee Newman's whistle was heard sounding time, but as he was pointing to the centre he was seen to collapse, having apparently been struck by the ball as it was kicked by an excited player.
EXTRA TIME
Mr. Newman recovered after attention by the two trainers, and extra time started and soon brought further thrills. In an attack on the Trowbridge right a Purlon defender handled and the referee, after consulting the linesman, awarded a penalty. Kibler was entrusted with the kick, and placed the shot well to Shailes' left, but the goalkeeper managed to get to the ball and cleared - a really fine save. After this Trowbridge's enthusiasm waned, and in the final 15 minutes D. Hobbs and Tutt each scored, though the former certainly appeared well off-side when he received the ball.
The Trowbridge team was: Jones; King, Jack Sheppard; Bowering, Paviour. Dunning: Kibler, Hancock. Crook, Pearson, Toothill.
Report from The Wiltshire Times
|