Longlevens 0-2 Fairford Town

BEN Saunders headed a late goal to help Fairford Town secure a valuable Halloween win at Longlevens to get back to winning ways writes Chris Tanner.

The Reds handed a debut to Joe Thomas who slotted in at centre-back alongside Ben Saunders, whilst fellow recent additions Troy Weaven and Danny Gudger retained their starting slot, with striker John Thomas partnering the former Cirencester man up front having returned from holiday.

Fairford opened the scoring when John Thomas finished from close range for his eighth goal in 12 games for the Redson 30 minutes and they held the lead going into the interval.

Jonty Welch and Craig Martin went close for the hosts before the hour before a superb save from Fairford 'keeper Harrison Ellis denied Mason Lewis an equaliser.

The hosts made a triple change on 69 minutes and 60 seconds later, they were level. A deep cross was headed back across goal to Myron Turner who finished.

Thomas almost grabbed his second of the night before Ash Wintle was shown a straight red card for the hosts for handball outside the area with 14 minutes remaining.

On 83 minutes Ben Saunders grabbed the winner as he rose highest at a corner to head home, in off the post, for his first goal since returning to the club.

It was a crucial intervention that secured all three points for Fairford who move up to 14th in the Hellenic Premier League. They now begin a run of four consecutive home games on Saturday November 3 against Brackley Town Saints before Shrivenham visit on Tuesday, November 6 at 7.45pm.

Fairford line-up: Ellis; Watson, Thomas, Saunders, Weaven (Oakes '91); D Bailey, Reid (James '72), Snook, Beardsell; Gudger (C Bailey '86), Thomas

Substitutes not used: Hall, Hawkins