League victories set up Fairford for the Vase game at Bitton (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

League victories set up Fairford for the Vase game at Bitton

FAIRFORD Town FC were delighted to beat Hellenic Premier Division table-topping Slimbridge last weekend ahead of this Saturday's vital FA Vase trip to Bristol where they face Western League Division One high-flyers Bitton in the second round of this prestigious competition.

Having taken a 2-0 half-time lead through a Neil Matthews' goal on 41 minutes and a Dave Legg strike on the stroke on half-time, the Cinder Lane visitors looked to be coasting it.

And although a battling Slim-bridge pulled it back to 1-2 through a goal from S Badham seven minutes into the second period, Fairford held out for a superb victory.

On Wednesday evening of last week, Fairford picked up three points in a resounding 4-1 home win over Almondsbury Town.

It was the visitors, though, who stole lead through Davis after 15 minutes - but that was as good as it got for them.

For a Lee Stoddart hat-trick - with goals in the 25th, 33rd and 85th minutes - soon took the sting out of the Bristol side's tail.

And, Glen Armstrong, the team's new signing from Calne Town on the Monday prior, wrapped up a splendid night for Fairford with a goal in the 75th minute after he had replaced Neil Matthews in the front line.

After two fine league wins, Fairford Town manager Mark Webb will be hoping against hope that his Cinder Lane team get a victory that will take his team into round three for the very first time.