ASTLEY BRIDGE SL 2, FAIRFIELD 4: After five weeks without a game, Fairfield eventually got their season back on track with an away match against Astley Bridge Sladians.

Several players were missing from the first team, so Michael Ashton was drafted in from the reserves while Dave Berry also kept his place.

Earlier in the season, Astley Bridge had edged Fairfield out of the LFA Cup in a tight, seven-goal affair, so the local side were hoping to turn the tables this time around.

Despite many players looking like they had eaten too much Christmas pudding, the game started at a reasonable pace and Fairfield began to play some neat football.

One particularly flowing move ended with Dave Cosgrave firing straight at the opposing goalkeeper.

However, Fairfield didn't have to wait too long for the opening goal, and what a strike it was.

A corner was cleared to the edge of the box where Dave Berry hit a shot first time with the outside of his boot and the ball flew into the net without the goalkeeper moving.

Soon afterwards Fairfield went 2-0 up. This time Cosgrave made sure he beat the keeper with an assured finish.

Just before half time it could and should have been 3-0, but Shaun Cockcroft went for power rather than precision and his effort flew wide.

Despite controlling the first half, Fairfield seemed to press the self-destruct button early in the second period and before they knew it, the scores were level.

Firstly, hesitancy at the back allowed a Sladians striker to nip in and pull a goal back, and then minutes later the same player was given acres of space and plenty of time to pick his spot and fire home the equaliser.

The game looked as though it would end this way, but with 10 minutes remaining, Dave Cosgrave turned in a cross for his second of the game and then in the last minute, Adrian Haslam raced on to a flick-on from Cockcroft to slot the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Three welcome points for Fairfield and with the games in hand they can still push for an automatic promotion spot.

TEAM: C. Rhodes, G.Campbell, Z.Galbraith, B.Campbell(c), M.Ashton, S.Horsfield, D.Berry, D.Cosgrave, R.Willcox, S.Cockcroft, A.Haslam.

The Flexsys (UK) Man of the Match was Dave Cosgrave.

l Fairfield reserves were involved in a second eight-goal encounter in a row when they drew 4-4 with Spotland Methodists.

On target for Fairfield were Darren Olive (2), Dave Nally and Dave Lomax.