Fairford still in play-off picture thanks to Zebroski winner against Longlevens
Chris Zebroski’s second half effort ensured Fairford Town remained in the Hellenic Premier play-off picture, as they claimed a 1-0 win over Longlevens on Thursday night.
The result leaves Fairford seven points outside the play-offs with eight games remaining and with a number of the sides above them to play each other, they know that whilst they are outsiders to make the top five – Fairford just need to keep winning games.
Sam Collier’s side head to Hallen on Saturday afternoon, before Pershore Town visit Cinder Lane next Tuesday night.
Fairford and Levens meet again in the reverse fixture on 31 March, with six of Fairford’s remaining eight games against sides currently below them in the Hellenic Premier table.
For Longlevens, their exploits from the Floodlit Cup final on Tuesday night took their toll in the end – with a number of players looking dead on their feet come full time.
Their busy schedule sees them host relegation battling Cribbs this weekend, before a trip to Stonehouse Town in the County Cup Semi Final on Tuesday night.
Levens still have ten league games remaining, including a period of four games in seven days over Easter.
It was a far from thrilling game of football, with both sides taking a while to warm to the task of an awkward Thursday night fixture.
Fairford settled quickest though, with Charlie Holliday trying to get on the ball as much as possible, although Jay Wells did an exceptional job at limiting his chances to cut in on his left foot.
Harrison Edwards had the first shot on target, but fired straight at Drew Brei from the edge of the area.
Tom Spencer looked set to get a boot to a free kick as he arrived at the back post to a Lewis Driscoll free kick, but Josh Blyth did well to hook the ball away.
Holliday was picked out on the edge of the box by a ball forward, but shot too close to Brei who saved well.
Ben Lodge and Jack Holmes combined for Levens, with the latter just unable to get the ball through to Driscoll who had taken up a good position on the edge of the box.
Chris Zebroski got the run on his man on 35 minutes, but flicked his near post effort wide.
Longlevens had the final chance of the half as Dafydd Hyett get to the byline, before his cut back was sent over by former Fairford man, Ben Lodge.
The second half saw Fairford seize the initiative as fatigue began to set in on the hosts.
Adam Corcoran cleared absolutely everything to leave chances at a premium for Longlevens.
Zebroski was sent through on goal just before the hour mark, but poked past the on-rushing Brei and his effort trickled agonisingly past the post.
Zebroski then squandered another big chance moments later, as Joah Hall’s cross was asking to be headed home – only for the former Wycombe Wanderers and Torquay United striker to see his header saved at point blank range by Brei.
On 65 minutes, Holliday finally got into clear space on the left after Wells had slipped. Holliday stood up the covering Tom Spencer, before drilling across the six yard box and Zebroski showed his poacher’s instincts by turning the ball home.
The two combined moments later as the game should have been wrapped up, but after Zebroski’s flick on, Holliday couldn’t finish when one on one.
Then in injury time, Holliday missed another two chances to seal the deal. First substitute Alan Griffin unselfishly teed up Holliday on the edge of the box but he dragged his effort wide.
Holliday then shook off Spencer and waited way too long to finish against Brei, getting a nasty bobble and slashing his effort wide on a frustrating night for the talented winger.
Fairford took the points and will head to Hallen knowing that they cannot afford any slip ups between now and the end of the season if they are wanting to finish in the top five.
Longlevens: Brei, Beardsell, Wells, Long, Spencer, Holmes, Knight, Hyett, Sherchan, Lodge, Driscoll
Subs: Troke, Williams, Drury, Vye, Valenti
Fairford Town: Johns, Blyth, Spalding, Ouldridge, Hitchman, Corcoran, Holliday, Hall, Edwards, Zebroski, Bell
Subs: Grabe, Mitchell, E Griffin, Wallace, A Griffin
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Adam Corcoran (Fairford Town) & Jay Wells (Longlevens)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
READ MORE: Check out the list of Sunday’s Women’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
