FAIRFIELD Villa are set for an action-packed programme of fixtures in April and May, after confirming their entry in the Post COVID Lockdown Charity Cup.
Keith Draper’s side, who turn out in Division Two of the Midland League, will join rivals Alcester Town, Coventry Alvis, Hampton, Knowle and Redditch Borough, in addition to six sides from Division Three and Four in the competition, which is in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.
Teams will play each other home and away in a bid to finish in the top two of their respective mini-leagues, with Villa getting underway in a trip to Coventry Alvis on Saturday, April 17, followed by a home meeting with Alcester a week later.
By the time Fairfield kick-off in their opening fixture, a drought of 189 days without football will finally be brought to an end, having last turned out in a league game at Barnt Green Spartak on October 10.
The return fixture at Alcester then follows on May 1, kickstarting a month of eight fixtures which culminates with a trip to Knowle on May 29.
The semi-finals then follow on June 5, with the final on June 12 at Hampton’s Field Lane home.
For Draper, who has drafted in Anthony Fisher, Jason Hancox and Leigh Powell to his backroom team, the competition will play a key role in ramping up Villa’s Midland League preparations.
“I’m going to utilise the whole squad and give everyone an opportunity to impress, with one eye on the league starting in August,” he said.
“Anthony, Jason and Leigh will be a great source of knowledge, and I’ll be able to get important input from all three.
“Let’s just get back to what we all enjoy doing.”
Elsewhere, Barnt Green Spartak manager GJ Singh has confirmed that he will once again steer the ship at The Pavilions for the 2021/22 season.
Division Two Spartak are on the hunt for more warm-up fixtures during the lengthy pre-season period that lies ahead, with trips to Hampton and Droitwich Spa on April 10 and 17 respectively lined up so far.
