Villa loss is tempered by victory over Vale

The victory went some way to making up for the disappointment of losing out to First Division Fairfield Villa in the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup on Saturday.

“I had been disappointed with our performance last Saturday when we never really got going, but this was a good win against one of the top sides,” said Fogarty.

“We were missing James Hardie in midfield, but Vinny Thiara came in and scored the opener, with another midfielder in Mark Anderson putting the result beyond doubt near the end.

“Lee Ross has joined as cover for the injured David Wilson and, with two more league matches coming up at home, we have to crack on and try to get as high up as possible.”

Although Saints had run out 1-0 winners when the teams met at the Vale Stadium last month, the visitors came into the match in third place and with their confidence boosted by a cup victory at league leaders Heather St John’s.

Captain John Blunsom returned to the defence in place of Marc Passey and new signing Ross took his place on the bench.

The match kicked off late due to Vale being held up in traffic and they were reduced to ten men in the 38th minute when Danny Tymon was sent off after a tangle with Quentin Townsend.

Midfielder Thiara put Saints into the lead on the stroke of half-time with his fourth goal of the season.

In the second half, Ross Jackson went close with a good effort and Vale could have equalised from a corner, but Jim Stott pulled off a great save to keep out a goalbound header.

Saints made sure of the win when a good move involving Jackson and substitute Tim Pole was finished off by Anderson.

On Saturday, a 65th-minute Scott Gaffney strike was enough to send Fairfield Villa into the last eight of the Les James Memorial Challenge Cup.

In a match affected by a strong wind, Villa had the best of the opening exchanges, having an early shot blocked for a corner before Gaffney hit the side netting.

Saints were twice denied claims for a penalty when both Jackson and Andy Millan appeared to be brought down in the area.

With the wind at their backs, Saints improved after the break and Passey’s effort was deflected wide. But, Villa got the decisive breakthrough when a move down the right saw a driven cross find Gaffney, who gave Stott no chance.

Tomorrow, Saints entertain Walsall Wood in the league (3pm) and on Tuesday, Continental Star are the visitors in the quarter-final of the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup (7.45pm).