FAIRFIELD Villa’s general manager Paul Oakes insists this weekend’s home game against Hampton is a must-win if his side has hopes of clinching a top half finish.
Villa currently sit eighth in the Midland League Division Two table, four points behind Coton Green with a game in hand, and following a 2-2 draw with Knowle on Saturday, Oakes is hoping his side can put on a better show.
“I was very disappointed with the result against Knowle,” he said.
“The first half was just a none event as both teams were cancelling each other out.
“The second half wasn’t much better as an error from our keeper and then a counter attack put us 2-0 down.
“Fair play to my lads though for clawing their way back, much to my relief.”
This weekend gets no easier as Oakes’ Villa side welcome Hampton to the Recreation Ground.
The last meeting between the two sides came back in August when Hampton edged a 3-2 win, and following their 3-0 defeat to title-chasing Droitwich Spa on Saturday, Hampton will be looking to bounce back.
And for Oakes, victory is paramount in order to clinch a top half finish come the end of the season.
“That is the main aim for the club,” he added.
“We had a totally different squad when we last encountered them.
“It’s a must win game and we’ve got our new signing Scott Smith from Droitwich Spa in line for his debut, but we are concerned over Matthew Seeley who has injured his leg.”
In other transfer news for the club, Danny Bostock and Liam Williams have left Villa to join Coton Green and Stourport Swifts respectively.
“Danny has been a great servant for the club,” Oakes said.
“He’s stuck by us through thick and thin and as he’s moved to Lichfield, it’s simply not possible for him to keep travelling the long distances.
“Liam on the other hand hasn’t really had many games with us and it’s a huge step up to go from this level to the Midland League Premier.
“Sometimes those moves work, sometimes they don’t and you never hear of them again.”
