Fairfield Sunday (3) 4

High Duty Alloys (1) 2

Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination Premier Division

FAIRFIELD opened the season with a fine win over an experienced HDA side.

The game started with both sides looking to attack but the Fairfield defence soon got to grips with HDA forwards who found it difficult to create any clear cut chances.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Stuart Byng's centre found Chris Pinfield whose shot from the edge of the box hit the foot of the post, only for Paul Newbon to pounce on the rebound and score from ten yards.

This inspired Fairfield, who started to put HDA under greater pressure. They were rewarded when Waine Devey's deep cross from the right was headed home at the far post by Newbon.

Fairfield were unlucky not to increase their lead when Dave Fox lobbed the keeper from 18 yards, only to see the ball take a wicked bounce and clear the crossbar.

On the half hour Fairfield scored again when Devey picked the ball up just inside his own half and beat four players before coolly rounding the keeper.

Five minutes before half time the visitors pulled a goal back when Andy Underwood scored from close range.

HDA started brightly in the second period and Underwood stabbed the ball home from a right wing cross.

Ten minutes before time HDA were awarded a penalty when the referee adjudged there was a handball in the box.

The penalty was dragged wide and Fairfield soon put the result beyond doubt when Newbon completed his hat-trick by latching on to Gary Davies' through ball before beating the keeper.