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Fairford Town 3

Swindon Town U18s

FAIRFORD Town ran out 3-1 winners against Swindon Town's U18s in an entertaining encounter at Cinder Lane on Tuesday night.

It was a hardworking display from Fairford who had a number of new players on show in front of a healthy crowd.

Fairford could have taken the lead on just five minutes but Alex Rudd was denied by goalkeeper Aaron Moody, who spent time on loan at Cinder Lane last season.

Swindon, with first-team triallist Calvin Kalinga at left back, saw Amir Gied beat the offside trap a few moments later but he dragged his effort narrowly wide.

The visitors were out to impress new manager Scott Lindsey, appointed earlier in the day, and took the lead through Gied. After a low save from Fairford stopper Joe Snell, the frontman slotted the ball home from close range with 25 minutes played.

New Fairford signing Josh Skeates, formerly of New College, Swindon, levelled the game up three minutes later, latching on to a through ball before lobbing Moody with a stylish finish.

Swindon replaced goalkeeper Moody at half-time with substitute stopper Claude Da Costa who was soon thrust into the heart of the action. After a penalty award to the home side, Fairford skipper Nathan Gambling saw his low effort well saved before the hour.

Fairford boss Gareth Davies saw his new-look side take the lead for the first time in the game with a superb finish from substitute Scott Chilcott. The former Malmesbury frontman took a touch before slotting the ball past Da Costa low into the corner.

The third goal came on the stroke of full time with substitute Ben Anderson on hand to get in front of Da Costa to lift the ball into the empty net.