Second-half goals see Reds go down to Malvern loss

FAIRFORD Town went down to a 3-1 Hellenic League Premier Division defeat at Malvern Town on Tuesday night.

Malvern took the lead on the quarter-hour mark when Matt Turner was brought down for a penalty. Joe Bates stepped up and saw his effort well saved by Joe Wright but Turner was alert to convert the rebound.

Fairford levelled matters when Ross Langworthy showed strength to beat a couple of players before tucking the ball beyond the reach of Keiron Blackburn.

Malvern sealed the points after the break with goals from Dave Reynolds and Bates.

Fairford gave a debut to Cheltenham Town scholar Jay Simpson, the attacking midfielder coming on as a substitiute.

Fairford had drawn 1-1 with Brimscombe & Thrupp in the Premier Division last Wednesday.

The Reds led with a Langworthy penalty after Jamal Lawrence was fouled, but Brimscombe levelled through Oli Barnes in the second half.

Wins and goals were few and far between in Hellenic League, Division One on Saturday and Tuesday.

On Saturday, Cheltenham Saracens went down 1-0 to Malmesbury Victoria, while Cirencester Town Development lost 2-0 at home to Hartpury University.

Bourton Rovers were beaten 2-0 at Long Crendon and Moreton Rangers went down 3-0 at home to Pershore Town.

Moreton were beaten again on Tuesday night, 1-0 at Abingdon United, while Cirencester Development lost 2-1 at home to Malmesbury.