Archive - Thursday, 8 May 2003


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Fired-up Fairford Town defeat Yate in a rip-roaring final

IN what was a thoroughly deserved and splendid conclusion to a long season, manager Mark Webb and his Fairford Town team clinched the Glo'shire Challenge Trophy on Tuesday evening when a goal in each half proved enough to defeat high-flying Yate.

Played at the home of Almondsbury FC, the final proved a rip-roaring encounter between two Hellenic Premier League sides with contrasting styles.

The Cinder Lane team took the lead after 20 minutes as Yate began slowly, Lee Stoddart converting a penalty following controversy in the Yate box.

And so the stage was immediately set for a tussle between one of the division's finest attacking outfits going all out against a Fairford side with one of the best defensive records around, having conceded just 28 goals all season.

The Lodge Road team took the game to their rivals in the second half, dominating for long periods in a desperate search for an equaliser.

Leading scorer for Yate, Paul Meatheringham, hit the bar when well placed while captain Ross Casey fired a free kick against a post.

When the woodwork did not intervene, Fairford's unbreakable central defensive partnership of Lee Kilfoyle and Phil Ward was outstanding.

Against the run of play, Fairford grabbed a second right at the death with Neil Matthews scoring a well taken breakaway goal to clinch some silverware that his manager was very much hoping for.

It was tough on Yate, though, who were on a roll having clinched runners-up spot in the Premier League table.

But the sound defensive qualities of their opponents paid huge dividends and the trophy now belongs to Fairford.

In a post-match comment, Yate manager Rich Thompson conceded: "We didn't start well and were slow out of the blocks. Fairford are simply the best defensive side around, and are really difficult to break down.

"We battered them in the second half, but their centre backs were magnificent."