Fairford draw another blank (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fairford draw another blank

LADY Luck continues to ignore Fairford's forwards as the men from Cinder Lane failed to hit the target again.

They are without a goal this season, but on the bright side Kevin Moloney's men will live to fight another day in the FA Cup after drawing 0-0 at home to Devizes.

The replay takes place tomorrow night at Nursteed Road but Fairford should have got the job done at the first time of asking against a side they battered 4-0 in a pre-season friendly just a month ago.

Dave Tyler should have marked his return to the side with the breakthrough goal but squandered a couple of openings.

Neil Matthews also went close while Lee Clark and Kenny Hawkins got in each others way to blow a great chance at the death.

"We were unlucky again," said Moloney.

"It should have been two or three. We're creating enough chances but we just can't buy a goal at the moment."

"I don't think Devizes have improved since we played them pre-season to be honest, but we haven't got a settled side yet.

"I'm confident that we will win Tuesday night.

"We just need one goal to go in and we'll really kick on from there."

Fairford's replay tomorrow means today's derby clash with Highworth has been postponed.

That means no midweek action for John Fisher's men who went through to the next round at the first attempt with a 1-0 win over Welton at the Elms.

The margin of victory should have been greater, but visiting keeper Chris Allard was in inspired form.

Andy Grainge and Sean Terry were denied, before Matty Saye broke the deadlock on 56 minutes, nodding in a Phil Corcoran knock down.

Corcoran should have made sure late on but fluffed two golden openings.

But Saye's strike was enough to set up a home tie with Elmore in the first qualifying round.

Meanwhile Fisher, who has put in seven days notice for Carterton's Tom Cole and Almondsbury's Craig Daveridge, is disappointed today's derby has been called off.

"We played a lot of good football for the first 20 minutes and should have been a couple in front," he said.

"Then Welton decided to mix it up and started kicking us around. We got involved with that which is not what we're best at.

"They've pinned us back a bit towards the end but never really looked like scoring.

"It's a shame we won't be playing Fairford on Monday.

"Confidence here is high and they are struggling to score. It would have been a good time to play them."

Supermarine are also through to the next round after coming from behind to win 3-1 at Western League Hallen.

Marine started well and could have been a goal to the good after just two minutes as Roger Emms rose to crash a header against the post.

But the home side took the lead when Marine goalkeeper Tom King tried to take the ball round Hallen striker Jason Reynolds but lost his footing, passing the ball straight to Tom Collet who tapped into an open goal.

But Marine, brimming with confidence on the back of their Southern League form, fought back.

Matt Pratley and Steve Davies combined well to force an opening for Dave Slattery who curled the ball home from just inside the box.

The gulf in class became more apparent in the second half .

Pratley saw a header well saved while David Pratt had a decent effort blocked in the box.

Marine's crucial second came on the hour mark.

After sustained pressure Slattery and Pratley linked well to allow Danny Allen to fire past Steve Scannell from 15 yards.

The tie was put beyond all doubt just three minutes later.

Pratley won his header and the ball fell nicely to Davies who thundered home a volley from the edge of the box.

There was still time for Pratley to again go close only to be denied by the upright and substitute Jeremy Newton also had a strike well saved.

Marine must wait to see who they face in the next round, with Melksham and Westbury needing a replay after a 2-2 draw.

Marine return to league action today when they entertain Clevedon.