No Excuses For Highworth - 29th January

Highworth Town, who have lost their last three games in all competitions, are at home to third-placed Almondsbury Town.

Boss Dave Webb said: “We can’t make excuses, it’s three defeats and no matter how you dress it up, we’ve got enough good players to go out and win. Prior to the last three games, we had prided ourselves on how good our defending had been. We’ve got to get back to keeping clean sheets.”

Matty Bennett and Richie Crocker are both doubtful with ankle injuries, while Steve Yeardley is suspended. Stuart Pearson is available again after returning from holiday while Tom Cole has recovered from food poisoning. Adam Miller will make his debut between the sticks after being brought in as cover for the injured Ian Gill.

Keeper Blow - 22nd January

Highworth have been dealt a blow with the news that stopper Ian Gill (pictured) faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines. The goalkeeper injured his ankle during training last Saturday and looks unlikely to return until mid-March.

Worthians boss Dave Webb was hoping to sign the unattached Adam Miller as a replacement. Though former Shrivenham goalkeeper Miller is ineligible to play in tomorrow’s Wiltshire Senior Cup quarter-final at Laverstock and Ford, so veteran Paul Haines will continue between the sticks.

On Miller, Webb said: “He’s got good pedigree and we’re hoping he can come in while Ian is unavailable.”

Matty Bennett is a doubt for tomorrow’s cup tie (ankle), while Steve Yeardley is suspended and Stuart Pearson is on holiday.

Webb Wants Fixture Calendar Review? - 8th January

"Highworth Town manager Dave Webb has called on the Hellenic League to review the fixture calendar after another bout of severe weather caused all this weekend’s matches to be postponed."

The Swindon Advertiser states the Worthians, were due to take on Wantage Town tomorrow, but yesterday the game, and all others in the Hellenic League, were scrubbed. “It was always looking doubtful,” Webb said. “I couldn’t see it clearing in time and the frost has set in very deep. I can’t remember conditions being this bad in some time.”

Webb is now worried that his side will have to deal with the same fixture congestion that plagued their run-in last season. Highworth’s backlog of matches created a scenario whereby the first team were forced into playing four games in the final week of the season, one of which was the Wiltshire Senior Cup Final.

And now the Town boss wants something done by the authorities to prevent lightning from striking twice. “Last year we had an unbelievable last week, and I had to rest the entire team for a league game because the cup final was coming up,” he said. “I feel that it is going to be no different this year and it needs looking at. The managers, the clubs and the league need to find a way to sort it out.”

Webb believes that those clubs who have started the season strongly on limited resources will find that the present adverse conditions will hamper their late-season progress. “If I was top of the league right now and still in three cup competitions but without a big squad or budget, I’d be worried,” he said. “At the moment Reading Town are top, but if they don’t have much depth then the chasing pack will catch them. Strangely you can be the victims of your own success during this period in the year when the weather gets this bad.”

Highworth have not had a fixture since Boxing Day and Wantage have not had a run-out since before Christmas. Webb has his own views on how to make a start at solving the problem. “Our season starts on a Tuesday for some reason,” he said.
“If we brought it forward and opened on a Saturday and then played every Saturday and midweek throughout the autumn, and got as many games in as possible, then it might help by the time winter comes around. I know come March or April we will be playing three games a week minimum, but that could be avoided. Or we could get all the clubs to have under-soil heating courtesy of the league,” he joked.

With regard to the statement. 'Webb has called on the Hellenic League', League General Manager Brian King comments. "As of 18:30 hours tonight, I have certainly not received any contact from Dave Webb, or any recognised representative of the Highworth Town Town management committee, regarding a fixture calendar review"

"If Dave has a review formula then, with the permission of his club management committee, he can talk with me directly. I will gladly put it forward to the appointed members of the League Committee for consideration. But until such time as he has done so, I would have thought a modicum of common sense would suggest that you don't make untrue statements in print implying that you have already done so".

Unwanted Gift - 25th December

Highworth Town have been handed an unwanted Christmas gift by the Wiltshire FA ahead of their Boxing Day clash with league leaders Reading Town on Boxing Day.

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The Swindon Advertiser reports. "The Worthians, currently undergoing an internal investigation into financial irregularities, have been fined £100 and charged with failing to control their players and club officials in the Reserves’ 3-1 defeat to Kidlington at the start of this month. Although club officials have stated they are confident the club will remain afloat after thousands of pounds were allegedly taken, the three-figure fine will do nothing to lessen their current woes."

First-team boss Dave Webb commented to The Adver: “I wasn’t at the game so I can’t really comment on what went on, but something has obviously gone majorly wrong. At the end of the day, with the club’s current plight, it’s not only fines for the individuals involved, it’s the club as well. It’s something we didn’t need at the moment.”

Highworth, who have lost goalkeeper Ben Goodey to Cricklade Town recently, have a fully fit squad for the Boxing Day game against Reading.

End On A High? - 27th November

Highworth Town will be aiming to end a difficult month on a high tomorrow with a win over Oxford City Nomads.

The Worthians, who have injuries to three key players, currently occupy a respectable mid-table position in the Hellenic League Premier Division but have struggled in November.

“We’ve had a tough month,” admitted Highworth manager Dave Webb (pictured). “If you include Finchampstead (at the end of October) we’ve had eight games and I think we’ve only won two of those. That’s not where we wanted to be at the start of this month. We’ve had disappointing defeats against teams I would expect us to do better against. We’ve got to get back on track and quick.”

Webb is without Paul Cooper (shin), Stuart Pearson (shoulder), TJ Bohane (ankle) through injury this weekend, while Steve Yeardley is unavailable. Dan Wallington looks likely to be leaving the club following a disagreement with management, but Webb is hopeful that Dave Stroud will make his full debut.

Oxford City Nomads are always a difficult proposition for their Hellenic League opponents, as Webb explains. “They groundshare with Oxford City and though it’s a separate team, there are players that go between both clubs,” he said. “You never quite know what you’re going to come up against. You always hope when you play them on a Saturday that Oxford City have got a game. It’s going to be extremely tough, we’re going into it on the back of two defeats and we need three points.”

Highworth Town OB's (Veteran's) v Aston Villa All Stars XI - 18th November

A forthcoming event takes place at The Elms, Highworth on Sunday 29th November when a team comprising former players of Highworth Town of a sufficient age to be known as Highworth Town Veterans XI will take on an Aston Villa all stars XI, which will hopefully comprise some former well known Aston Villa Players including a couple of their successful European Cup winning side.

The game is scheduled for a 2.30pm kick off and has two purposes:-
1. To celebrate Dave Webb's 10 years with the club.
2. To raise funds for the Prospect Hospice, Wroughton and the White Horse Trust (a residential home for mentally handicapped people base situated in Highworth.

We hope to attract a sizeable crowd to the Elms to enjoy this fixture and support a couple of local charities who are deserving of our support for their tireless work in the community. As a point of clarification, Dave Webb has been tasked with putting the Highworth Town XI and apart from playing in the game, will be taking no financial gain from the match whose purpose is to raise funds for the two charities.

Forget The Struggles - 23rd October

Dave Webb has urged his players to ‘forget’ about Bicester Town’s struggles ahead of Highworths’ Hellenic League Premier Division clash tomorrow.

Bicester have yet to win a game this season and face eviction from their Oxford Road ground if they do not pay off a £9,000 debt within 60 days. To compound matters Paul Berry resigned as manager last month, and new boss Chris Hurley experienced a baptism of fire when he saw his side thrashed 5-0 by Almondsbury.. But Highworth chief Webb warned: “I’m sure they are going to be looking to pick up from a bad spell. These games are never easy, it’s just about us doing a professional job and forgetting where they are in the league. If you start looking at that then you are going to come unstuck, and we don’t want to be the first team to be beaten by Bicester this season.”

Highworth are sitting comfortably in mid-table at present, safe in the knowledge that they will climb the ladder if they win their games in hand. Webb acknowledges that if the Worthians can get their full squad back and string some results together, which has not been the case of late, then they will be challenging in the upper regions of the division. “We haven’t really had a squad that’s been settled,” said Webb. "We’ve had suspensions and holidays and people missing, but we’re starting to get everyone back now. We need to get some consistency and start scoring more freely, but defensively we’re looking strong. The league is more competitive this year, so to get a top-six finish we’re going to have to put a run together, starting on Saturday.”

Worthians captain Tom Cole will miss the game while Wayne Cleverly is still out with an ankle injury.

Enjoy Every Minute - 11th September

Dave Webb has urged his Highworth Town troops to enjoy every minute of their FA Cup qualifying first round tie tomorrow, insisting there is enough quality at The Elms to match their higher division opponents.

The Worthians play host to Southern League outfit Abingdon United, and will be told to have fun, despite going into the clash as clear underdogs. Although many of Highworth’s youthful squad have only plied their trade at Hellenic League level, Webb is confident of giving their opponents a tough test, and believes a few players with experience from the next tier up could prove invaluable. “Being unfancied can work in your favour,” admitted the boss. “Hopefully we can play with freedom and express ourselves because there is no pressure. We’ve got players who, on their day, can perform at that level. We want them to get there, and this is their chance to show they are good enough. There are also one or two, like Stuart Pearson and Danny Hilder, who have had a taste of Southern League football and, for whatever reason, are now with us. But their experience could be crucial to us against Abingdon.”

As well as missing the absent Paul Cooper, Kevin Tate and Dan Bishop, Highworth will also be without goalkeeper Ian Gill, who is on honeymoon. So teenager Ben Goodey, signed from New College Academy, comes in to replace him between the sticks. “You can’t wish to play in a better game, even more so to make your debut in it,” said Webb. “I just want us to give it a good go. If we do that, then I can’t ask for anything more.”

Vase Start For Highworth - 4th September

Highworth Town start their FA Vase campaign tomorrow with a trip to Combined Counties Berkshire side Sandhurst in the first qualifying round.

Manager Dave Webb is hoping his side can perform well against a team who have won their last three games in the Combined Counties Premier Division. He said: “Obviously any team that wins consecutive games are going to be confident, but we can only concentrate on our own game. They’re in an equivalent league to us, so there’s nothing to fear, but we know it will also definitely be a tough game. We’re hoping to bring a few supporters along and put on a good showing.”

The 2-1 mid-week defeat to Malmesbury Vics doesn’t stand Webb’s side in the greatest stead for Saturday, but the manager was keen to take the positives from Tuesday’s performance. Webb added: “I thought we did okay for 70 minutes on Tuesday, but two late goals put paid to any hopes we had of getting the three points. There were a few good performances individually, and I thought Alex Rudd did especially well up front. We did look a little jaded in the last 20 minutes as we’d played two days earlier on the Sunday, but we always look to take the positives from our performances. We’ll have a light session on Friday, and will be a bit fresher for Saturday - and hopefully that’ll show in our performance.

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Highworth have made an indifferent start to the season in the Hellenic Premier, but are unbeaten in cup competitions so far.
Webb added: “We’ve had a setback this week, but we’ve done well in cup games so far this season, and we’ll be firing on Saturday and confident of getting through to the next round of the Vase.”

Highworth welcome back midfielder Paul Cooper from suspension, but will be without injury victims Steve Yeardley and Dan Wallington for the trip to Berkshire. Despite these injury setbacks, Webb believes the mental strength of his side will serve them well on Saturday. “We’re carrying a few injuries in the squad, but I know the character of my team will show through at the weekend, and we’ll put on a decent performance.”

Sunday Cup Fixture For Highworth - 28th August

Highworth Town host Wessex League side Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the FA Cup Preliminary Round on Sunday 30th.

Dave Webb’s team were 3-0 winners when the sides clashed in the Wiltshire Senior Cup last season, but the manager is refusing to take anything for granted. He said: “Even though we won 3-0 last season it was a very tight game, and we’re not expecting anything different this time.”

Both sides go into the game on the back of consecutive league wins and will be brimming with confidence ahead of the clash. Highworth followed up a 2-1 win over Old Woodstock last weekend with a 7-0 thumping of Ascot on Tuesday, and Webb (pictured) is hopeful his side can carry this momentum into the game on Sunday. “To beat anyone 7-0 at this level is some achievement, and it was great to see a range of scorers, which is something we missed last season. All in all we’ve made a good start and want to build on that on Sunday.”

However Webb is guarding against any complacency from his in-form side. “Obviously we’re on a high after winning 7-0 a few days ago, but we can’t afford to be complacent as they’ll be pretty confident too after a couple of good results.
“We had a good test against Bournemouth FC in the last round who are in the same league as Bemerton, so we know what to expect.”

Highworth will be without Wayne Cleverley who has a fractured ankle, but welcome back Matty Bennett from injury.

"Worthians" Achieve FA Charter - 20th August

Following closely on the Holyport announcement regarding FA Charter status Highworth Town, Premier Division members of the FTL Futbol Hellenic League have confirmed their club has been awarded The FA Charter Standard Adult Club status.

. The award of Adult Charter status is part of a significant project is in the pipeline for Highworth Town FC and Highworth Junior football club to seek The FA's flagship Community Club status and the granting of The Adult Club recognition by the FA represents a significant step along the way.

Highworth Town Match Secretary and Treasurer Clive Webb said; "This is a great honour for our club, however, I personally would like to express praise to the various people on the Highworth Town Committee who have made this possible, not least to Committee member, Bob Snowdon who gave the application the neccessary impetus it needed to get it over the finishing line."

Work has now commenced on obtaining the Community Club status which hopefully will follow in the not too distant future.