Spartak hit back with flurry

3:13pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

BARNT Green Spartak celebrated news of a takeover with a 4-1 win over Nuneaton Griff.

The Midland Combination Premier Division side learned last week that their long-term future was secured after a takeover had been completed, and it proved to be a big weight off their shoulders.

Delroy Brown, Django Farrell, Aaron Grey and an own goal fired them to a much-needed victory.

The Lye Meadow-based side face a tricky double header this week, starting with tonight's home clash against Pershore Town, followed by a trip to Coventry Copeswood on Saturday.

Fairfield Villa's hopes of a top six finish in Midland Combination Division One suffered a blow as they threw away a two-goal lead, before eventually losing 4-3 to Thimblemill REC.

Villa, who only had 11 players in their matchday squad due to a series of late withdrawals, raced into a 2-0 lead with Andy Nichol opening the scoring, before turning provider for Stuart Hall.

But Thimblemill hit back with three goals before half-time, followed by another in the second-half.

Nichol scored a consolation goal to take his tally for the season to 19.

Joint manager Paul Oakes conceded his hands were tied because of the lack of numbers in his squad.

The most high profile of the absentees was striker Dean Beagan, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a hernia problem.

Oakes said: "We couldn't change things around because we didn't have the players.

"The result didn't affect us that much because everyone else around dropped points, but in a way that did increase the problem."

Oakes said he and co-manager Lee Shaw are now building for next season with a number of transfer targets in mind.

One of those is thought to be Feckenham defender Ian Squires.

This weekend, Villa welcome Archdale 73 to Stourbridge Road.

Also in Division One, Droitwich Spa earned a 1-1 draw against Oldbury Athletic.

They visit Littleton this week.

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