Football
Villa hit six of the best

FAIRFIELD Villa bounced back from two successive defeats in the best possible style on Saturday as they thrashed Coton Green 6-1 with the help of a Scott Gaffney hat-trick.

The Midland Combination Division One success was a welcome one for Paul Oakes’ side as they went into the game on the back of home defeats against Knowle and Hampton.

In the build up to the game Oakes said he was not overly concerned by the defeats as he felt his side had produced only poor performance, but admitted he was glad to get back on track against Coton Green.

“It was very pleasing after being disappointed with what we produced against Hampton,” he said.

“Obviously it is nice to get back to winning ways but I was surprised by the margin of victory, even though in truth we could have scored more.”

Villa travel to Phonex United tomorrow (3pm) and will be hoping to secure a sixth league success from eight starts as they look to stay in touch at the top of the table and will do so in confident mood after brushing Coton Green aside.

Stuart Hall and Andy Nicol both returned to the Villa fold whilst Peter Jenvey and Jordan Street were both involved having joined from Bromsgrove Sporting.

A bright start was rewarded by Gaffney opening the scoring and Keiron Evans doubled the advantage when the keeper could not hold on to the ball just before half time.

Gaffney grabbed his second of the game shortly after the restart before completing his hat-trick when touching home Lewis Cosgrove’s goalbound header.

Jenvey added a superb solo goal to make it 5-0 before a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to net a consolation.

Fittingly it was Villa who had the final say though with Hall crossing for substitute Nicol to beat the keeper with a left foot shot.

“I was delighted for Gaffney because his attitude whilst playing as a lone striker for much of the season so far has been incredible,” Oakes said.

“Stuart Hall is a massive signing for us and it was great to have Andy Nicol back as well.

“I have to thank Sporting for agreeing to waive the seven-days on Peter Jenvey and Jordan Street so they could play. They must have some good players there if they are able to let them go because they did a brilliant job for us,” he added.

Oakes hopes to have Adam Pillinger and Martin Slevin available for selection tomorrow but will be without Evans and Craig Cosgrove.

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