A FLYING start from Fairford Town fired them to a 3-1 victory away at Tuffley Rovers in Hellenic League Premier Division on Tuesday night.

Jody Bevan’s side struck three times in the opening 21 minutes to take control at Glevum Park.

The visitors raced out of the blocks and broke the deadlock with just four minutes on the clock through Connor Thompson.

Christian Turner-Williams struck Fairford’s second after 19 minutes and the onslaught continued as Dan Bailey made it 3-0 just two minutes later.

However, Tuffley finally awoke from their slumber and reduced the deficit midway through the first half as Jack Beardsell scored direct from a corner.

After a breathless first 22 minutes, there was no addition to the score throughout the remainder of the first half as Fairford took a 3-1 lead into the changing rooms.

The second period was always unlikely to match the frenetic nature of the first and the goals promptly dried up.

Fairford had to shut up shop in the final 15 minutes as they were reduced to 10 men when Ellis Dunton was sent off.

The visitors safely negotiated that period without much alarm to see out the win, which keeps them in the mix at the top end of the table on 15 points from their opening seven league fixtures.

Meanwhile, Royal Wootton Bassett Town travel to Longlevens on Wednesday night looking to ignite their season.

A 3-1 defeat at home to Virginia Water on Saturday saw Sam Collier's side drop to the foot of the Premier Division table.

Bassett have collected just two points from five league games so far this term.