Hellenic Div One West

Hook Norton 0

Fairford Town 3

FAIRFORD Town reaffirmed their promotion ambitions with a 3-0 win over Hook Norton at the Bourne on Saturday afternoon, writes Chris Tanner.

On a heavy pitch with a scattering of snow, the Reds dug deep to put in a workmanlike display, matching the home side in every department and were backed up by a superb man-of-the-match display from Ben Mitchell.

The visiting ‘keeper was first called into action in the 16th minute to make a stop from a one-on-one which denied the hosts a lead.

Mitchell would make critical saves on a number of occasions.

The opening goal of the game arrived with half an hour played when Steve Hall hit a right-footed drive which flew by ‘keeper Kurt Fox and into the left hand corner.

Fairford doubled their advantage just two minutes after the restart. Levi Cox was almost brought down in the box but regained his balance to prod the loose ball past Fox to make it 2-0.

The scoreline stayed the same going into the second half, when the visitors made a double change with Jason Milhench and Lee Smith coming off the bench for Dan Drewett and goalscorer Hall – both suffering with illness and injury.

In the second period, the home side used the advantage of the slope and pressed hard but came up against a resolute Fairford backline with Aaron Dainton and Sam Ockwell outstanding.

The icing on the cake was added a minute into injury time when Josh Morse broke clear of the home rearguard to slot home the third of the day.

The result was just reward for a hardworking display in which every player put in a full shift.

Fairford Town: Mitchell; Cordery, Dainton, Ockwell, Jackson; Drewett (Smith, 46), Boucher, Reynolds (Blackford, 84), Hall (Milhench, 46); Cox, Morse.

Substitutes not used: Alexander (GK), Bright.