Uhlsport Hellenic League

Division One West

Lydney Town 5

Purton 0

AFTER picking up just three points in their last four games, Lydney returned to winning ways in style against third placed Purton at The Recreation Ground on Tuesday night.

Lydney manager Neil Hook showed his attacking intent by playing both Niall Halford and Matt Timmins up front.

This positive approach reaped dividends and on eight minutes Lydney took the lead through Adam Price, who struck home a terrific shot from the edge of the box.

Captain Ricky Elliott then picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired an unstoppable shot past the Purton keeper.

Late in the first half, Glenn Stallard shot over the bar after bursting forward.

Lydney continued to control the game after the interval, with both Timmins and Halford sooting tamely at the keeper when well placed.

It didn't matter however, as Jonny Kear slotted Lydney's third goal in the 67th minute following a fine run down the left from Danny Clarke, who left the full-back for dead.

The Purton goalie went off injured four minutes later to add to the visitors' woes. The first thing the replacement keeper did was pick the ball out of the back of the net when Timmins slammed home a Clarke corner.

Lydney were now rampant and they went 5-0 up on 75 minutes when Adam Price slipped past a defender and played in Halford, who beat his marker and lifted the ball over the stand-in keeper's head.

Three minutes from time Ricky Elliott put Matt Timmins through on goal, but his shot hit the post and bounced to safety.

This brilliant win cements Lydney in second spot in the league.

Lydney go to Easington Sports this Saturday, before taking on County League side Tuffley Rovers, away, in the semi-finals of the GFA Challenge Trophy on Tuesday March 8 (7.30pm). The prize of a first ever appearance in a Challenge Trophy final should certainly be a big enough incentive for Town.