Football
Mixed fortunes on the road for Villa

FAIRFIELD Villa suffered a 2-1 Midland Combination Division One defeat at West Midlands Police on Tuesday night as they were unable to build on Saturday’s 3-0 success at Phoenix United.

The victory over bottom of the table Phoenix was Villa’s first away success of the season and came with the help of two goals from debutant Chris Glover but Paul Oakes’ men were not able to make it back-to-back successes with victory at the Tally Ho.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges but Villa were made to pay for a poor pass midway through the first half when a cross was headed home by Nurse, giving keeper Richard Atkinson no chance.

Villa dug in for the remainder of the half and almost got themselves level on two occasions from a goalmouth scramble but it was not to be.

Dean Beagan made a bright start to the second half and was unlucky not to score when denied by the post before Lewis Smith saw a curling effort saved by the keeper.

The visitors’ hopes of getting anything out of the game then suffered a major blow when falling 2-0 behind but again they upped their efforts in search of a goal.

Jak Allbut fired wide as chances continued to go begging before Beagan did halve the deficit when sliding home a deserved goal.

Beagan, substitute Dave Rousell and Jamie Hatfield all went close to forcing an equaliser in the final stages but the Police held on.

THE victory against Phoenix was a timely one for the club, coming seven days after the heavy 5-0 home defeat against Littleton.

A nervy start from Villa saw keeper Marc Rogers called into action on a number of occasions before they gradually found their feet.

Hatfield and Sean Chance combined to present Glover with the chance to score the opener before Craig Cosgrove missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0.

Villa suffered a blow on the stroke of half time when Rogers suffered a hamstring injury that ended his afternoon early, Chance took over between the sticks.

Half time substitute Adam Pillinger doubled the advantage when converting a rebound after Martin Slevin’s free kick was parried by the keeper and Glover completed the scoring to complete a fine debut.

Villa are on their travels again tomorrow when they visit Stretton Eagles (3pm).

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