Burntwood (0) 3

Fairfield Villa (0) 2

FAIRFIELD travelled to Burntwood in their opening day fixture in the Midland Football Combination Division One and were beaten in a closely fought game.

Both sides tried to play decent football on a hard pitch. The visitors began to take control but Phil Smart in the home goal kept them at bay and the game was 0-0 at half time.

Villa had the upper hand after the restart but on the hour they went behind when a defensive mix-up let in Simon Heath to score.

Five minutes later, Villa equalised when Ian Brown converted a pass from Andy Hibbert.

In the 78th minute, the home side went in front when Carl Leach beat Adie Summers in the visitors' goal. Burntwood then caught Villa on the break and Nicky Hughes scored.

Four minutes from the end, Fairfield were awarded a penalty after a hand ball and Junior McKenon scored the spot kick.

Villa pressed in the final minutes but the home side held out.