Football
Oakes delighted with big victory

FAIRFIELD Villa boss Paul Oakes was full of praise for his side following their 6-2 Midland Combination Division One victory at Coton Green on Saturday.

Andy Nicol was the star of the show as he netted four goals to go with strikes from Scott Gaffney and Steve McGlen as fourth placed Villa kept themselves in touch at the top of the table with their ninth league success of the season.

Oakes was clearly impressed by what he saw, saying: “It was another good performance from us and we are on a decent run that we need to keep going as long as we can.

“No disrespect to Coton Green but those are the sorts of sides we need to keep beating if we are to stay in the top few spots of the table and the lads did a good job on Saturday.

“There wasn’t a bad player on the park and that further highlights the strength in depth we have here.”

McGlen put Villa ahead when chipping the keeper after Gaffney’s initial shot came back off the post and it was Gaffney who doubled the lead when scoring from close range.

Nicol made it 3-0 from the penalty spot before going on to dominate the second half with three more goals and although the hosts pulled two back, Villa were comfortable winners.

They were grateful to a series of good saves from goalkeeper Spencer Hunt at 3-0 though, including a penalty save, as Coton Green enjoyed a good spell of pressure before going on to ease to victory.

“Andy (Nicol) and Scott (Gaffney) linked brilliantly together in attack whilst Spencer Hunt in goal deserves a lot of credit for the concentration he showed and saves he made when we switched off slightly,” Oakes said.

Villa entertain Shirley Town at Earlswood Town’s ground tomorrow (2pm) where they will be playing whilst work is carried out on their Recreation Ground home.

Stuart Hall, Martin Slevin and Andy Pike should all be available for selection again whilst new signing James Burke is also expected to be included.

FOUR goals from Carl Shipway helped the Reserves secure an impressive 10-2 Kidderminster and District Football League Premier Division home victory against Lodgefield Park on Saturday.

After making a slow start to the season the newly formed team, under the guidance of Jason Hancox and Steve Morgan, are settling well with 11 points to their names from seven matches.

They turn their attentions to the first round of the League Senior Cup tomorrow with a trip to Wyre Forest.

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