Football
Villa follow victory with derby defeat

FAIRFIELD Villa’s inconsistent Midland Combination Division One form continued over the busy Christmas period as they recorded one victory and two defeats.

On the back of the 4-1 Boxing Day defeat at Bromsgrove Sporting, Villa responded in fine style to overcome high-flying Lichfield City 5-3 on Saturday before starting 2012 with a 2-1 defeat at local rivals Droitwich Spa on Monday.

“We are consistently inconsistent I think it’s fair to say. You just never know what to expect,” joint manager Paul Oakes said.

“The performance was not as the scoreline suggests at Sporting as we had plenty of chances of our own but were wasteful in front of goal.

“Full credit to them for the way they started the game though. They really came at us in the opening 30 minutes and deservedly got themselves ahead.

“Whilst I could not complain at being behind, I was disappointed at the nature of goals we conceded.

“We responded well though and started to ask plenty of questions and on another day would have got ourselves right back into the game.”

If Oakes was left to bemoan poor finishing on Boxing Day he was left purring on Saturday as third placed Lichfield left the Recreation Ground having conceded five times.

Villa, who had to call on Jamie Hatfield to deputise in goal following a late injury to Owen Hancox, went 2-0 ahead thanks to Dean Beagan and Adam Pillinger but Lichfield halved the deficit before half time.

Ryan Sproston’s second half strike was cancelled out by a second Lichfield goal before Scott Gaffney fed Pillinger to make it 4-2.

Lichfield kept Villa honest by making it 4-3 before James Turk completed the scoring and secured a welcome three points for the hosts.

“It was as good a performance from a Fairfield side I can remember,” Oakes said.

“We asked for a response after Boxing Day and certainly got it in what was a fantastic game of football.

“Jamie is a fantastic servant and drove up from Cornwall just for the game before instantly volunteering to go in goal when Owen picked up a late injury.

“All 11 players were at the top of their game and with the recent win against Blackwood still fresh in our minds it was another great victory for us.”

Oakes’ mood was not so buoyant after Monday’s derby at Droitwich though which the hosts won after being behind.

Stephen Morgan put Villa ahead but Spa hit back to take the three points and leave Oakes disappointed.

“We had a lot of players missing but we made enough chances to have not lost the game,” he said.

“Adam Pillinger missed a great opportunity when we were 1-0 up and if that goes in it is a different game.

“I think the conditions suited their style of play more than ours but full credit to them for the way they came back at us and going on to take the points.”

Villa entertain Archdale 73 who sit 13th in the table going into the game and Oakes said he is expecting them to provide a tough test.

“I like their manager, Martin Stevenson, he will have his side ready for the contest and they are a side who never make life easy for you. If you are going to beat them you have to earn it,” he said.

“They are coming into the game on the back of a defeat as we are so will be keen to get back on track, so it should make for a good game.”

Villa will be without Dave Rousell, Nick O’Connell, Chris Pratt and Ben Timbrell but hope to have Scott Gaffney available.