A PENALTY SHOOTOUT delivered Keith Draper’s first loss as Fairfield Villa manager in a Smedley Crooke Charity Cup defeat at Feckenham.
Ron Adjei and Peter Jenvey strikes looked to have sealed The Swans’ progression into the next round but for a last-gasp equaliser which levelled the scores at 2-2.
Having missed their opening two spot kicks, Fairfield were unable to recover and lost out 4-2.
Feckenham went in front with a well-taken goal in the opening eight minutes, prompting them to create several key chances and dominate the first half.
Despite being up against it, Fairfield held on and were unlucky not to equalise on the stroke of half time when Ethan Hanks was unable to provide a finish when going through one-on-one with the keeper.
A Fairfield goal did arrive though, coming five minutes into the second half when Adjei rifled home from the edge of the box in expert fashion.
Gaining momentum, Fairfield looked the better side and were rewarded for their endeavour when substitute Jenvey put The Swans ahead eight minutes after emerging from the bench.
The third goal eluded Fairfield and came back to haunt them when an injury-time leveller was scored – taking the game into penalties.
Ryan Gittings and Hanks were the only Villa players to put away their penalties in a disappointing end to a rollercoaster tie.
Fairfield host Moor Green Academy on Saturday (3pm).
Meanwhile, the club have signed former Barnt Green Spartak forward Dominic Strevens after a prolonged period of negotiations.
