FAIRFIELD Villa ensured a fifth-placed finish in MFL Division 2, and ended a six-game winless run, thanks to Dan Ludlow’s hat-trick in a 4-2 away victory against FC Stratford.
With a number of reserves getting the opportunity to step out for the first-team again, in light of the injury crisis at the club, Fairfield were able to settle down after a fast start by the hosts.
A Stratford goal was disallowed after a foul on debutant Adam Dyer, but would eventually lead on 23 minutes.
When a second followed on the half-hour mark, it looked a precarious position for a Fairfield side who had lost the lost five.
But captain Ludlow provided some hope when crashing home a 25-yarder – prompting a much more open second-half.
With six minutes remaining Ellis Blakemore levelled, before Ludlow’s second audacious effort of the game found the net once more, putting Villa ahead at the death.
A foul on Dan Wilkes presented a hat-trick opportunity for Ludlow, who dinked the ball in off the underside of the bar to wrap up Fairfield’s league season in style.
Fairfield have an upcoming friendly on Saturday April 6 (3pm), visiting West Midlands Regional League Division Two side Warstone Wanderers.
