FAIRFORD Town extended their advantage at the top of Hellenic League Division One West with a 3-2 win over Shortwood United reserves.

With Shortwood’s first-team game at North Leigh falling foul of the weather, Gareth Davies found his side coming up against a stronger than expected opposition.

However, that failed to faze the hosts as they took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Matt Boucher.

But, they were unable to hold onto the lead heading into the dressing room as Shortwood responded before the referee’s whistle sounded.

Fairford started the second half well but were soon behind before Levi Cox struck to bring them back on level terms once more in the 59th minute.

While Davies would have settled for a draw on what was a difficult playing surface, Fairford dug deep and got the winner with 16 minutes to go when Sam Ockwell drilled a free-kick under the wall and Boucher helped the ball on its way into the corner.

“A lot of their first-team lads played so it was difficult,” said Davies.

“Our lads were different class and worked hard throughout and that for us is a great result, against a side who had some very experienced Southern League players in their ranks.

“As soon as I saw their first-team’s game against North Leigh was postponed, I knew it was going to be a tough afternoon.

“You can only beat what is put in front of you and my lads were superb.

“We scored a goal, came back and have given a free-kick away and they have scored straight away.

“It was disappointing going in level at half-time but then in the second half, we started brightly again but gave a goal away.

“We showed great character to come back and to go on and get the winner, it was another level.

“We’re not bad at home this season and being beat was probably a bit of a shock to the system but I couldn’t fault the character and the work rate of my players.

“The back five again were immense and the four lads in the middle of the park, how they walked off the pitch, I don’t know.

“The two lads up front worked tirelessly against some good defenders and it was a good day all round at the office.”

Elsewhere, Shrivenham fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to Clanfield 85’, while Swindon New College suffered the same scoreline away to Letcombe.