Fairford Town FC earn a share of the spoils at North Leigh (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Fairford Town FC earn a share of the spoils at North Leigh

FAIRFORD'S Premier League trip to North Leigh on Tuesday evening ended in a hard-fought share of the spoils after a 1-1 draw.

With a 23rd-minute goal by Forrester, the hosts looked to heading for a draw, until Clark scored the Fairford equaliser two minutes from time.

Last Saturday, Fairford had to settle for a point in a goal-less draw against Abingdon United at Cinder Lane.

But last week's mid-week local derby had to be abandoned after Highworth Town's Paul Donnelly sustained a serious injury in a tackle.

Donnelly, who was taken to hospital and diagnosed as having a leg fractured in three places, underwent surgery on the Thursday afternoon.

Mark Webb, the Fairford manager, has denied reports in some quarters of the press that said he wanted the match to continue.

In an outburst, Highworth boss John Fisher was reported as saying, "The ref asked what we wanted to do and I said that we didn't want to play any more but 'Webby' said they (Fairford) did.

"I was disappointed with his reaction. They hadn't thought about the player's welfare, they just wanted to beat Highworth."

Webb, who was upset to read things printed in the press without a balanced view of both sides of the argument, explains:

"My sole concern was for the player's welfare and so, after leaving the referee's room, I spent time with Paul until the ambulance arrived.

"After he (Donelly) was taken to hospital, John Fisher came across to apologise for his hasty reaction in the referee's room."

In the the first of two big cup matches, Fairford are to visit Slimbridge for the first leg of the Norman Matthews Floodlit Cup final on Tuesday, March 9, 7.30pm ko.