FAIRFIELD Villa vice-chairman Paul Oakes believes their weekend drubbing of Knowle in the Les James Challenge Cup will give the lads the confidence to push up the Midland League Division Two table.
Villa booked their place in the last four with a comfortable 6-2 victory over the Solihull hosts on Saturday, a victory which will give them home advantage in the next round.
Steven Ruck had given Knowle an early lead before goals from Ellis Blakemore (2), Ryan Molesworth (2) and Connor Collins fired Fairfield into a 5-1 lead at half-time.
Blakemore then completed his hat-trick six minutes from the end before Ruck bagged a consolation as Fairfield progressed into the next round.
“Historically Knowle are a very tough team to beat at their place but I was really pleased with the performance from the lads,” said Oakes.
“I am not exaggerating when I say we should have notched up nine or ten goals as Connor had a deserved goal struck off for offside while Dan Wilkes missed three chances.
“It was a thoroughly convincing performance and it gives us something to focus on.
“We are into the semi-finals and a step closer to getting the chance to play at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium and not many players can say they have done that at this level.
“I was fortunate enough to get there when I managed Highfield Road of the Coventry Alliance and it would be great to go there again but with Fairfield.”
Having gone goal crazy on Saturday, Oakes is hoping that will act as a springboard to three points on Saturday when Fairfield entertain mid-table Coton Green at the Recreation Ground.
James Finn and Ollie Booth are expected to return to the squad but Oakes is aware the threat Coton will pose.
“Rob (Masefield – manager) has been active in the transfer market recently so obviously he is not happy with what he has seen so far,” he said.
“He knows this division inside out and sets his team up well so we are certainly in for a tough game.
“But after how we played on Saturday, I am confident the squad has the ability to get the three points.
“I know people think I have been bleating on but to have finally had players return from injury and playing in their correct position made thing less difficult.”
