BARNT Green Spartak roared to a fifth win in the Midland Football League against Fairfield Villa last Saturday – helping them leapfrog their rivals into ninth.
Finlay Gaynor put the visitors 1-0 up just before half-time, while Darren Green doubled the lead with 20 minutes remaining to render Alfie Bloomer’s stoppage-time header pointless.
As a result, Fairfield have dropped to 11th in Division Two.
The meeting was a cagey affair as expected on a difficult pitch, with the visitors evidently motivated to battle for possession and territory in Fairfield’s half at the Recreation Ground.
A half-chance fell to recent signing Ross Dempster, who saw his effort blocked by a Spartak defender, before a headed opportunity also went to waste for the striker.
While Barnt Green rarely threatened, the Swans also failed to test the visiting custodian as the half drew towards its conclusion.
But before the half-time whistle sounded, a free kick from Gaynor caught the flight of the wind and looped over the backpedalling Elliott Hart to give the visitors a priceless lead.
Fairfield emerged in the second half on top but were unable to capitalise on a number of set-piece opportunities.
Instead it was Barnt Green who struck next when Green cut inside and whipped the ball into the corner with 20 minutes remaining.
The arrears were finally reduced in the second minute of stoppage time when Bloomer thumped a header home, albeit too late to start a comeback.
With Barnt Green’s trip to FC Stratford rained off in midweek, Spartak have all of their attentions turned to the Birmingham Saturday Vase quarter-final away to Tipton Town (3pm) this weekend.
Meanwhile, Fairfield are on the road at Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons in the league on Saturday (2pm).
In other news, the Swans have been drawn away to Coventry Alvis in the semi-final of the Presidents Cup, with a date to be announced.
