Hellenic League Two West

Fairford Town 2nds 1 Newent Town Dev 2

THE Daffs Development finally secured a first win of the season with a battling 2-1 comeback performance away to Fairford Town 2nds.

A mix-up on the edge of Newent's box after 15 minutes saw a free-kick curled over the Daffs' wall.

And although goalkeeper Corey Weir made the initial save, Fairford striker Jack Byrne was quick to react, tapping in the rebound to give the league champions a 1-0 lead.

Daffs captain Ross Allard then intercepted the ball high up the pitch but was stopped by a last-ditch tackle.

This led to a series of corners, but Newent couldn’t make the most of them.

Fairford then pushed back but the Daffs' solid defensive line held firm, with the hosts leading 1-0 at the break.

After the restart, Newent won a free-kick just inside the attacking half, and Crampton delivered a dangerous ball which looped over the keeper and hit the bar, only to be cleared over the goal.

But almost immediately Crampton delivered a perfectly-placed corner, Harrison Creed rising highest to power a header into the roof of the net for 1-1.

Allard then picked out Creed with a fantastic ball, only for the linesman to make a questionable decision, denying him a clear one-on-one.

With the game finely poised, Weir made some crucial saves, while at the other end David Alademofe found space out wide and squared to Creed on the edge of the box, whose shot was blocked.

But when Creed was found again, he turned and laid it off to midfield partner Harrison Cadd who struck a brilliant shot into the bottom corner for 2-1, followed by an impressive knee-slide celebration in the corner.

Fairford hit the post In a dramatic finale, with Max Blakesley on hand to clear the ball off the line, but Newent held on for a precious three points.