Hillcroft at home - 5 Oct 2002

The biggest change at Purley this year is the move to their new ground at Walcountians, but on the pitch there is little change. Out goes last years captain Scott Nicholls, off to work in Canada before returning to his native Australia. In comes Mike Barrett, returning from a year playing in League North at Stockport, Denham Pope returns after a season and half out through a knee injuries, and Mark Dingfield joins from the good old US of A.

There was also little change in the results column, as Purley dominated Hillcroft to run out comfortable 20-1 winners in their first game of the season. Hillcroft have lost a couple of players during the off-season, and though they are well organised thanks to coach Ray Nash, they didn't have the experience necessary to trouble Purley. In fact the scoreline could have been a lot worse. Steve Flint in the Hillcroft goal had several good one-on-one saves to keep the scoreline down. Also Purleys ace attack man Tim Richmond suffered a knee injury during the second quarter and had to sit out the rest of the game, though Purley new boy Mark Dingfield had an impressive debut in attack, top scoring with six goals.

Scorers: Mark Dingfield 6, Jamie Tasko 5, Matt Payne 4, Mike Barrett 2, Chris Spence 1, Tim Richmond 1, Graeme Holland 1