FAIRFORD Town manager Jody Bevan does not expect there to be too much of a hangover from his side’s FA Vase exit as they look to continue their flying form in Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.

The Cinder Lane side saw their hopes in the national knockout competition come to an end on Tuesday night following a heavy 4-0 defeat away at Bitton.

The loss does now at least allow Fairford to focus their attentions on the league, with Bevan’s side currently sitting second in the table after winning eight of their opening 10 games.

Bevan felt the heavy midweek scoreline was unfair on his side, and feels his players will be able to shake off that disappointment quickly when they play host to Ardley United in the league this weekend.

“We certainly felt it was a harsh final score,” said Bevan.

“It was close in the first half. We were unlucky to be 1-0 down at half-time and at the start of the second half, we could have made it 1-1 but we hit the post.

“Bitton immediately went up the other end and scored a second goal. After that, we were always chasing the game and the other two goals came right at the end.

“We’re disappointed to be out of the Vase but when you lose a cup game by a convincingly scoreline, it’s probably a bit easier to deal with psychologically.

“If it had been close the whole game and we’d ended up losing right at the end, it would have been much harder to digest.”

Although delighted by his side’s excellent start to their league programme, Bevan is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

With the season still less than a third old, nothing is assured for Fairford until April.

“At the start of the season we set ourselves the target of being in the top six,” said Bevan.

“With how we have started, it would suggest we might be one of the teams who are up there fighting for those positions come the end of the season.

“I am really pleased with how we have been playing but we are not getting carried away.

“By and large, this is the same group of players who finished 13th last season.

“We have played 10 games so far and we have 26 still to play. There is a long way to go.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division on Saturday, Shrivenham go hunting a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions when they host Easington Sports.

By contrast, Royal Wootton Bassett Town have won just two league games this season so will look to add to that haul when they entertain Burnham.

In Division One West, leaders Malmesbury Victoria go on the road for Hereford Pegasus.

Bottom side New College have no game this weekend.