Hellenic League Division One West

Purton 1 Tytherington Rocks 1

FACING Purton for the second time this season, Tytherington Rocks came away with a hard-fought point.

Rocks boss Gary Powell was able to bring back Toby Colbourne, who had been off injured for the previous two games, and Justin Bishop, who was not available for the previous game, but Sam White was away for this game.

Purton took an early lead when, after seven minutes a long ball out of defence caused problems in the Rocks rearguard, and Blain Fitzgerald took advantage and lobbed keeper Kevin Freeman from 15 yards to open the scoring.

The Rocks could not get their game together and were giving the ball away more often than normal, allowing Purton to put pressure on their defence, with Freeman saving them on at least two occasions.

At the beginning of the second half Colbourne came off still feeling the affect of his previous injury.

With Rocks now facing the strong wind in the second half they began to get back into the game and equalised in the 57th minute when Nick Peare took the ball down the left flank and drilled over a fine cross which was headed forward by Joe Walters to Bishop, who turned his defender and curled a shot over Purton keeper John Cowley.

Purton went down to ten men midway into the half when Jamie McGahey was sent off for a second yellow card, which seemed a very harsh decision.

With Powell bringing on Adamo Missiato, Rob Cave and Jack Smyth, Rocks started to dominate play and went close to getting the winner in the last minute when a pass from Joe White on the edge of the box just eluded the incoming Bishop.

Rocks are at home on Saturday against Clanfield (3pm).

They also have a floodlit game at home on Monday night against Lydney Town (7.45pm).

Rocks Reserves drew 1-1 at home against Fishpond OB.

They are away to Stoke Gifford United on Saturday (2pm).