Own goals hand Fairford victory on a plate (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Own goals hand Fairford victory on a plate

FAIRFORD Town ran out 5-1 victors over Pewsey Vale in Saturday's local Hellenic Premier derby at Cinder Lane, thanks to a hat-trick of own goals from the visitors.

Mark Webb's Town side started well and could have taken the lead after just four minutes when Dave Toomey saw his run and shot end with a decent save from Vale keeper Danny Holcroft.

The home side did not have long to wait to open the scoring when, on seven minutes, a shot from Toomey was palmed into his own net by Holcroft to literally hand Town the lead.

After 33 minutes, Fairford doubled their lead when a long ball in from Shaun Carter was met by Richard Pearson who headed it into his own net, with Carter's effort having already beaten Holcroft in the Vale goal.

With Town 2-1 up at the break, the visitors pulled one back two minutes into the second period.

A free kick from Kevin Akrill, a former Fairford reserve team player, was met by Tom Ritchie who drove the ball past Price to make it 2-1.

Three minutes later, Town restored their two-goal cushion when a crossfield ball from Lovegrove found Toomey, whose cross into the box was headed past his own keeper by Richard Pearson.

On 55 minutes, Toomey was again at the centre of all things good for Fairford as he set up Edinburgh who could only hit his shot wide when well placed.

Webb introduced Courtney Chessel to the action, a welcome return for the midfielder who had been out for several months with a dislocated knee, who replaced Kenny Hawkins.

With 20 minutes to go, Fairford continued to press the visitors back into their own half.

A through pass was met by Chessel who crossed into the box where a defender to made it a hat-trick of own goals and propel Town into a 4-1 lead.

The scoring was completed when a through ball from Lee Stoddart found Jonjo Slattery who slotted past the despairing dive of Holcroft for a 5-1 victory.

Fairford Town: Price, Hall, Joyce, Hill, Clarke, Carter, Edinburgh, Lovegrove, Toomey, Hawkins, Stoddart. Subs: Slattery (Lovegrove), Chessel (Hawkins) Moore.