Hat-tricks from Stratton's Rick Casey and Rich Carter kept the club's season alive when they beat Purton Reserves 6-0 in the semis of the Corsham Print Senior Cup, writes RAY BURROUGHS.

Bottom-of-the-table Purton faced an uphill task after just 13 minutes of the tie when defender Rob Ingliss handled on the goal line and was sent off.

Purton boss Gary Brown said : "I can't knock the lads, down to 10 men and faced with two unstoppable strikes from Rick Casey, we were always going to struggle.

"It was a disappointing result, but we will dust ourselves down and fight to get off the bottom of the table. One plus was the form of 16 year old midfielder Johnnie Cowley, I thought he was as good as anyone on the pitch."

Stratton manager Tony Dyer said: "We played some good stuff and were well disciplined, Purton battled well but it's hard work with 10 men."

Both New College and Cricklade gained maximum point to keep them on the fringes of the Wiltshire Premier Division title.

New College made heavy weather of their 2-1 victory over Malborough, with James Hambidge and Mark Chatwin scoring.

Cricklade beat Pewsey 3-1 thanks to Ian Ross, Matt Charlton and a penalty by Martin Jackson.

Bromham, playing under lights at Malmesbury on Friday evening, ran out 6-0 winners.

Junior Division One leaders Down Ampney built up a four-goal lead against West Swindon who replied with two in the closing stages, Arthur Levitt (2), Tyrone Stevens and Mark Harper on target for the leaders.

Wroughton gained a 2-0 success over Cricklade Reserves John Dart and Nuno De Santos the scorers and a late strike by Andy Quinn gave AFC Stratton a 1-0 win over Marlborough Reserves.

Aldbourne and Westside shared the points in a 2-2 draw, Steve Titchener and Steve Thomas for the home side and John Webb and Rick Hewittson for the visitors. Blyskawica beat Lower Stratton 5-2, Dave Jones (2), Tom Kopinski, Mice Wojewodka and an own goal doing the damage with Darryl Prior scoring both Stratton goals.

Swindon Asians beat Minety 5-1, Kamal Miah, Vincent Elliott. Craig Shand, Alan Leng and Jose Da Cruz on target. Warren Fuller scored a brace and Ashley Channing netted a third in Stratton Rovers' 3-0 win over Biddestone and Blunsdon beat Ferndale Rodbourne 2-0.

Stratton St Margaret were beaten 5-4 by Bromham Reserves in Junior Two an own goal deciding the issue in the last minute. Simon Dyminski (3) and Rob Clarke scored for Stratton and Steve Escott, Rob Mitchell, Jamie McLaughlin and Andy Stonestreet for the visitors.

Pinehurst OB were the day's highest scorers beating Westside Reserves 8-0, Shane Davies (3), Arran Welland, Steve Challinor, Roger Mundy, Gary Macaszionic and Joe Fisher the scorers.

Leaders AFC Abbey Rodbourne were made to work hard for their 3-2 win over neighbours ACF Rodbourne, Paul Parsons, Mark Hull and an own goal for Abbey.

Blunsdon Reserves and Stratton Rovers Reserves picked up a point a piece in a 2-2 draw. Tony Fry and Alex Whitehall for Rovers with John Le Strange and an own goal for Blunsdon.