SUMMER signing Steve Clark opened his account for Lydney Town on Tuesday (August 22).

But the goal, the first this season in the Hellenic Premier, by the former Ruardean Hill Rangers striker was only a consolation as Lydney lost for the third game in succession.

The damage was done in the first half hour of the fixture against Fairford Town at The Rec.

On 15 minutes some woeful defending allowed the ball to drop to former Lydney loanee Archie Brennan who’s mishit effort bobbled inside the far post.

Things got worse for Town after 21 minutes when Fairford’s speedy striker Jamal Lawrence raced clear to slot home the second.

Lydney heads were down at this point and two minutes later Fairford’s full-back Callum Preece bagged the goal of the game.

When an overhit cross came in from the left, it drifted some 25 yards out to Preece who crashed home a superb strike that gave Rich Thomas no chance.

The visitors looked like running riot and it required two fantastic saves by Thomas from Langworthy and Lawrence to keep the score down.

As the half wore on, Lydney did mount several attacks but strikers Lewis Thompson and Lewis Bamford failed to test Fairford keeper Joe Wright.

It was a minute before the break that Lydney were offered a lifeline back into the game.

When Wright came rushing out of his goal, Clarke – who was the Gloucestershire County League’s top scorer last season – nicked the ball off his feet to race through and score unchallenged.

Town’s best spell of the game came at the start of the second period as they pressed all over the pitch.

Thompson had a half hearted-penalty shot when he took a tumble in the box, the referee waving claims away.

An attack down the left saw the ball headed back by Thompson for Jordi Sheen whose first time volley was well saved by Wright.

Within a minute a ball down the line from Tom Baldwin deflected into the path of Clarke who raced past his marker only to fire the ball wide.

Clark then slotted home only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.

Finally, some link up play from Clarke and Thompson ended when the latter screwed a shot wide of the far post.

Lydney sent on Sam Wines for Keelan Hamblett but the visitors began to get a foothold.

With Lydney not able to take advantage of their best spell, it was inevitable what would happen.

On 78 minutes Fairford’s Ross Langworthy kept up his fine scoring record against Lydney by firing past Thomas from close in.

The scoring was completed just four minutes later when the same player scored his second, poking home from six yards.

The Reserves face FC Lakeside in the Northern Senior at The Rec tomorrow (Saturday).