FAIRFORD Town showed no signs of suffering from their severe fixture lull of late when putting three goals past Reading City in Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.

Danny Gudger and Harvey Scholes helped Town establish a two-goal lead at half time before Dan Bailey added to City’s misery in the second half to confirm three points.

It is expected that the team that ends the season top of division will be automatically promoted into Division One of the Southern League, while the runners up are likely to have to earn their spot in non-league’s fourth tier via a play-off final.

Considering the above, Fairford’s three-goal triumph over City came at a timely moment and ensured the gap between themselves and second placed Binfield was cut to four points after the latter drew at Shrivenham.

Reacting to his side’s win, manager Jody Bevan said: “Off the back of two defeats, Saturday was a massive game for us really.

“Having not played for a while, I was concerned how we’d react given we were missing a few players.

“But it was a very good and professional performance. Without being spectacular, we thoroughly deserved our victory.

“If we want to stay on the heels of Binfield, we knew we had to get three points. The manner in which we won was the most pleasing thing, I thought it’d take us some time to get into a rhythm.

Bevan couldn’t highlight any individual performance from Saturday’s win, and instead pointed to the collective team performance as the key reason behind his squad’s 15th win of the season.

It’s a timely confidence boost ahead of Monday night’s League Cup trip to, ironically, Binfield – a game Bevan won’t treat too seriously considering the club’s ambition to launch a promotion bid in the league.

He added: “Saturday was a real collective team performance – every player rated seven out of 10 or higher.

“There were no weaknesses, everyone but a real shift in.

“It’s a bit of a nightmare journey for a Monday, and probably a game both clubs could do without.

“We’ll travel in positive spirits, though. I expected a few to not make themselves available, but everyone is keen to play which is encouraging.

“We’ll give it a good go – if we win, great.”

As mentioned, Shrivenham drew 2-2 with Binfield while Royal Wootton Bassett’s game at home to Ardley United was postponed.