Flying Press Floodlit Cup

Fairford Town 4 Milton United 2

TWO goals from Jack Allen helped a reinvigorated Fairford Town side earn a place in the third round of the Flying Press Floodlit Cup, writes Chris Tanner.

The Reds battled throughout the 90 minutes, more than matching their Hellenic Premier Division opponents.

Allen latched on to a through ball to slide home from an acute angle on eight minutes but the visitors equalised through Richard Claydon a minute later.

Callum Marshall brought a low save out of Milton captain Craig Griffiths on 33 minutes before the Reds regained the lead.

After good work from Allen he squared the ball for Dan Thomson who drilled the ball home from inside the box.

Goalkeeping coach Mike Alexander, starting in place of the injured Kieran Shail, was forced off himself just before the break with Grant Davies stepping off the bench.

The stopper produced a fine save soon after to keep Fairford's intact.

Ten minutes into the second half Fairford extended their advantage. It was former Cheltenham youth player Marshall who scored with a free kick from distance to make it 3-1.

Martin Stratford and Jessie Haynes came off the bench for the Reds as the hosts kept up the pressure.

Claydon reduced the arrears with an excellent free kick before Allen powered home a superb header to nail down Fairford's place in the third round.