A Win Means Salisbury - 27th August

Dave Webb is targeting a plum FA Cup tie against Salisbury City as his Highworth side prepare for their Preliminary Round clash with Wessex League Premier Division leaders Bournemouth tomorrow.

Progression at Victoria Park would see Highworth rewarded with a home draw against a side who only recently were playing one division below the Football League, and Webb admits that is a prospect that gets the mouth watering.

“It limits your opportunity to progress I suppose, but it would be fantastic,” said Webb. “I might slip it into the team talk but the players are all aware of it anyway because we’ve made them aware of it. Salisbury have only just come out of the Conference and the fact the next round is at home will give you a good crowd and a good day.”

Tomorrow’s game against the Poppies will see the two outfits renew hostilities in the FA Cup following Highworth’s 2-1 extra preliminary round win in Dorset last year. “We know how difficult Saturday is going to be having played them last season,” added Webb. “We’ve had a reasonable record against Wessex League sides so hopefully we can go there in a one-off game, relax and get the win.”

Right-back Phil Fisher is very doubtful with a groin injury while central defender Craig Curtis is unavailable due to work commitments.

Back With A Bang - 23rd August

Tom Dingle put injury hell and a year on the sidelines firmly behind him to inspire Highworth Town to their first league win of the season with a 2-0 victory away at Ascot United.

The striker (pictured) made his first start since returning from a 12-month lay off with a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained last pre-season, and promptly did what he does best – finding the back of the net. Dingle put the finishing touch on a neat team move to open the scoring, before James Guthrie added goal number two for Highworth as they picked up an important three points.

Manager Dave Webb was delighted to see the front man back in action after doubts he would ever turn out for the club again. “It was great to see Tom back and he took his goal very well,” explained Webb to the Swindon Advertiser. “After a year out with a bad injury his fitness is coming now. It was great for him to get a start and he fully deserved his goal. He was our top scorer the season before he got injured but has been working hard throughout pre-season. When you get a bad injury like that you always doubt in your mind whether you can get back, but he came on against Ardley in the week and threw himself into a 50-50 challenge. Once you’ve done that and come out of it fine then you know you’re going to be okay.”

Take Responsibility - 21st August

Dave Webb has urged his players to take responsibility as Highworth Town aim to get their Hellenic League Premier Division campaign up and running.

The Elms side have lost both of their opening league matches and travel to Ascot United this afternoon to take on an outfit that has won three out of three so far this term.

Webb said in The Swindon Advertiser: “It’s not been the best of starts which is disappointing. We’ve not managed to win a fixture in the league yet and that has taken me by surprise a bit. There’s not a lot more me and my staff can do so it’s down to the players to go to Ascot and show we can compete, and we hope the quality we have got at the club will come through. We’ve not performed to the level we expected them to perform at, especially on Tuesday when we were well-beaten by a very well organised Ardley United side. I’m sure they will come through it, but it’s up to the players to get that result that we need. They have got to do it for themselves.”

Danny Hilder is doubtful as he has a slight calf strain and has been struggling with flu. Elsewhere, Ben Snook returns from suspension.