CONNOR Collins arrived late to shoot down Droitwich Spa and send Fairfield Villa into the final of the Worcestershire Junior Cup.

Collins had been set to feature for Worcester City against Gloucester, but when the game was called off because of a frozen pitch, made the dash to the Recreation Ground and came off the bench.

He scored in the 85th minute, but Jimmy Ward bagged an almost immediate reply to level late on.

But Collins, who has scored 30 goals this season, put away an 89th-minute penalty after Dan Wilkes was fouled to seal the semi-final.

It was Villa’s first win over Droitwich this season, who had previously beaten Fairfield 2-1 twice over the last two months.

Villa joint boss Paul Oakes said: “It was one of those things. Connor is dual registered with City, so we didn’t think he would be available.

“But he gave me a call to say the Worcester game was off, rushed to the game and we managed to get him on in the 65th minute.

“We were delighted go through, we’re in a final and it keeps the season alive.”

Villa have suffered a setback after Romulus put in a seven-day approach for Ellis Blakemore, who has scored ten goals this season.

The 20-year-old is set to speak with Richard Evans next week.

Oakes said: “It’s a blow for us to be honest, with Connor signing for Worcester and Ellis potentially going to Romulus, we’d lose two players who have scored 40 goals between them.

“We are a well run club, and in some respects we’ve been the victims of our own success.

“People are often surprised to hear we are always looking for players, but as a club we are constantly searching for fresh blood and would love to hear from players.

Fairfield’s hopes of signing Redditch United Reserves man Matty Perry may also have hit a snag after the forward injured his hamstring on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the club have signed former Barnet youngster Vytautas Jellinksa, who has moved into the area while studying in Worcester.

Villa go to Chelmsley Town in the Midlands Football League Division Two on Saturday (3pm ko). Any players interested in signing can call Oakes on 0780 9030946.