Football - 'Saras' slaughtered as Fairford run riot (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Football - 'Saras' slaughtered as Fairford run riot

Cherry Red Records Hellenic League, Premier Division Fairford Town 8, Cheltenham Saracens 0

LUCKLESS Cheltenham Saracens must have wondered what hit them on Saturday as Fairford Town rattled eight goals past them on the way to their highest league victory of the season.

Facing a young side currently propping up the table and with only a single win from 26 outings to show for their endeavours, it was almost a walk-over as Fairford set about their task with relish.

With the Cinder Lane pitch draining well, Fairfords home game was one of only three Hellenic Premier fixtures played last weekend.

After an even 20 minutes, Jeremy Newton, recently signed from Wootton Bassett, got the hosts off the mark by scoring the first of his brace in the 22nd minute in his first full outing in Fairford colours.

Richard Watkins, who went on bag a hat-trick, notched goal number two after 34 minutes. Newton scored his second and Fairfords third five minutes before the interval and Watkins made it 4-0 on the stroke of half-time.

Eight minutes into the second period, Fairford established a 5-0 lead courtesy of a goal from Courtney Chessell.

And Lee Stoddart made it six on 70 minutes before Watkins popped up to bang in the next on 78 minutes, bring the hosts tally to seven.

Not to be left out of the action was Kevin Coles who scored his teams final and eighth goal three minutes from time.

Naturally enough, Mark Webb, the Fairford manager, was well pleased with his teams performance.

He explained to the Standard this week, "I told them before the game, that although we were playing the bottom team, I didnt want to see in the results that Saracens had beaten us.

"Theres always a danger in these situations that were likely to relax too much. "Fortunately, the players attitude was spot on and, despite missing Neil Matthews and Richard Wallis, there was never any danger of that."

Fairfords victory maintains their fourth position in the table behind leaders Yate Town, second-placed Glou-cester United and third-placed North Leigh.

Last night (Wednesday), Fairford were due to play hosts to Almondsbury Town in their rescheduled third round tie of the Complete Music Challenge Cup.

l Fairford Town are set to take to the roads for two league fixtures over the next few days.

On Saturday, they are away to Southall Town and, next Tuesday, they will be visiting Didcot Town.