FAIRFIELD Villa won the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup for the first time in a decade after a nerve-jangling 6-5 penalty shoot-out victory over rivals Droitwich Spa.
Connor Collins struck twice in the first half to put Fairfield just 45 minutes away from claiming silverware.
Bradley Burgess reduced Spa’s arrears after the break before Fairfield’s Alex Dugmore was sent off for a second yellow with around 20 minutes left.
James Lemon then equalised two minutes from time to send the tie to spot-kicks.
After both teams scored all their first five penalties, Aaron Collins made a great save to block Spa’s sixth effort, leaving Jordan Allmark to hit the winner.
“Considering we had three of our back four in Scott Smith, James Finn and Lewis Phillips all missing as well as playing some of the game with ten men, I could not be prouder of the boys,” said Fairfield vice-chairman Paul Oakes.
“I am especially pleased for Aaron because he’s had a few howlers this season but he made a great save after just five minutes and that set the tone.
“He pulled off another fine save in the shoot-out and you can just imagine the scenes afterwards.”
Fairfield now turn their attentions to Saturday’s Les James Challenge Cup final against NKF Burbage at Sutton Coldfield’s Coles Lane.
Meanwhile, the cup defeat for Spa brought the curtain down on their 2017/18 season and joint-boss Wayne Oliver was happy with how the campaign had panned out.
“Given how we missed out on promotion last season due to a points deduction and then having to play our games at Stourport, I think it has been a great season,” he said.
“We entered the FA Vase for the first time in our history, had plenty of cups runs and finished third in the league.
“The lads have put in a tremendous effort and we could not have asked for anything more from them.”
