Highworth Town have arguably the toughest task of the teams in tomorrows Bluefin Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup 3rd Round games.
Opponents Ardley are flying high at the top of the Hellenic Football League Premier Division, and Worthians boss Dave Webb does not believe they will take it easy in the cup either.
He said: "They got to the final last year and got beat by Holyport which was a shock to everybody, so I think they will be desperate to win it this time. Ardley have got their points on the board in the league so they will be able to put out a decent team. I'm sure they will go all-out at the weekend and will have the league and Challenge Cup as their two main priorities."
Highworth defender Craig Curtis will serve the first of a three-game suspension tomorrow.
Whiteside At Highworth - 1 February
Highworth Town Football Club will be holding a sporting dinner at Blunsdon House Hotel on Thursday 29th March with guest speaker former Manchester United legend Norman Whiteside , the evening also includes a top comedian.
The price of the tickets are £45 each or a table of 10 is £400, the price includes a 3 course meal prior to the evenings entertainment. Anyone interested in attending please contact Tim Pedder on 07872955550
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Scoreline Flattered Worthians - 30 January
Dave Webb was impressed with his team's performance in their 4-1 away win at Wantage Town, but insisted the scoreline flattered his side.
Striker Josh Parsons fired two goals in the first half to give Highworth the lead at the break, before Craig Curtis and Rory Sproule netted after the interval to make the game safe. Webb was happy to see his side take their chances, but admitted the result could have been different. "We knew it would be a tough game, and although it reads 4-1, I think the result flatters us a little bit," he said. "We created a lot of chances, but for long spells, especially in the first half, Wantage were the better side. We were 2-1 up at half time but had been under a fair bit of pressure, but you have to be happy doing that at the champions."
The victory came in Highworth's first game in a fortnight due to a lack of scheduled fixtures, and Webb admitted the break from competitive action had played a part in his side's sluggish start. "It does affect you having such a long break because we lost a little bit of match fitness, and I think in the first half that showed a little bit. But if we can win games like this after a break then that is really a good sign."
Drought Over - 27 January
Highworth Town will end a two-week fixture drought when they take on Wantage Town in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division tomorrow.
The Worthians have not been in action since beating Warminster Town 4-3 in a thrilling Wiltshire Senior Cup tie, and they have been left frustrated as their attempts to organise a friendly fixture to fill the gap were ruined by the weather.
Though Dave Webb is hoping his side will not show any rustiness when they travel to Alfredian Park, but knows they will be in for a tough game. "It is very strange not having played for so long, especially at this stage of the season, and you do not expect to have that long without a match. We have trained a bit, but it is not the same. The players have obviously had a bit of a rest, but we would rather be playing every Saturday. Before the break we were on a very good run, and we need to keep that going."
Wantage won the league last season, but were not promoted due to ground issues, and are now stuck in the bottom half of the table.
Webb is certain they are in a false position and expects them to rise up the table, but hopes their resurgence will start after Saturday's match. "They are the league champions, and a lot of people tend to forget that," he said. "They still have a lot of the same players as they did before, and pose a real threat. They have played in a few cups and got a bit behind in their league games which didn't really help them, but they are certainly in a false position. We will not underestimate them though, and we know we face a very tough game."
It is set to go from one extreme to another for Highworth with games coming thick and fast in February, and Webb knows it will make or break his side's season. "We are playing Saturdays and midweek for a lot of that time," he said. "And that is bound to take it out of us. By the end of the month we should know what we can expect for the rest of the season, and if we are going to challenge we need to pick up as many points as possible."
Cup Classic - 16 January
Josh Parsons (left) hit his second hat-trick in four days to help Highworth Town pull off an epic comeback against, Wessex League Division One Club, Warminster Town.
The Worthians trailed Warminster 3-0 with less than half an hour to play in their Wiltshire Senior Cup clash but fought back to win 4-3 in extra time. If that wasn't impressive enough, Highworth played much of the contest with just 10 men following the sending off of Craig Curtis.
"I've never been involved in a game like that," said Highworth boss Dave Webb. "Last timed we played them was in the final in 2009 and we beat them 2-1 in extra time. That was a classic but this one was even better. All credit to Warminster, everyone thought it would be a game we would win comfortably against a side that are a division lower than ourselves in the pyramid, and maybe our players were guilty of thinking that at the start. I know it sounds silly but even at 3-0 and with 10 men I always thought we still had a chance if we could just get one goal back, just because of the number of chances we are creating at the moment. But to go on and actually see it through was a fantastic result. You're never happy to concede three goals but the character the lads showed after that was incredible and I don't think there are many sides out there that could do that."
Along with Parson's three timer, Danny Hilder contributed the all important fourth goal.
Webb added: "Josh scored another hat-trick and he's showing everyone what he's all about. He's at a club where he's happy and enjoying his football and he's really finding some form. Danny Hilder's been here for four years now and he's always shown glimpses of what he's capable of. Now he's producing it week in and week out. We tried to give him a rest on Wednesday night but he came of the bench and rescued us again."
Highworth Sixes - 13 January
Highworth Town Football Club will be holding our 19th Boys & Ladies Summer 6-a-Side Tournament over the weekend of Friday 8, Saturday 9, Sunday 10, June 2012.
Last year we had a record of 236 teams enter with teams entering from Gloucester, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and even teams from Wales.
The age groups we run are under7's right through to under 16's, the cost is £21 per team.
If interested in entering teams please contact Fraser Haines at fraserhaines@btinternet.com or download a form off our website www.highworthtownfc.org.
t would be nice to have some of our member family Uhlsport Hellenic Football League clubs enter some of their Junior and Ladies teams in our tournament.
Key Fixture - 2 January 2012
Highworth Town host Slimbridge AFC today in a top Uhlsport Hellenic Football League Premier Division clash, both clubs are in the top section of the table on equal points, having both played the same number of games.
Highworth manager Dave Webb is expecting a tight game. Commenting in the Swindon Advertiser he said. "They are a good side and are always around the top six in this league, so we know we are in for a challenge. If we can win we will go ahead of them, though, and to get into the top six was our aim so it would be great to start 2012 with a win."
Town go into the game following a 6-0 drubbing of Witney Town on New Years Eve. The manager was delighted with his side's finishing. "We had a superb start and managed to get ourselves to 3-0 up at half time, and then in the second half we just went out there and did more of the same," he said. "The number of goals we are scoring at the moment is superb, and it is reward for all the hard work our players have been putting in. The team are playing really well at the moment and deserve everything they are getting."
Despite seeing his side run out 6-0 winners, Webb reserved special praise for Highworth's defence. "You have to build on a strong back line, and we have done that," he said. "If we can be nice and solid like we have been in every game, we give ourselves a chance. We are not giving our opponents the chance to get on top of us and that is vital."
Two Holiday Wins? - 30 December
Dave Webb is targeting two wins for Highworth Town over the New Year period to ensure his side reach their pre-season target of a top six place in the Hellenic Premier.
The Worthians currently sit seventh following their 3-0 win over local rivals Shrivenham on Tuesday, but Webb is refusing to let his side bask in the glory of the derby victory. Two home games in three days see Highworth host Witney on New Years Eve before entertaining Slimbridge on January 2, and Webb is hoping his side will keep up their good recent run of form.
"It was good to win the game against Shrivenham and it was all about getting the result on the day. It was a tight game even though we won 3-0, and it was a real battle," he said. "We have got to keep the run going now, and that is the key for us at this stage. The next two games are vital for us because, if we can grab some points, we could move ourselves up the table and get a position in the top six, which was our aim for this stage of the season."
Witney currently sit third bottom in the table, but Webb is convinced they are in a false position, and backed them to have a strong second half of the season under new manager Mark Love. "Witney have got a real Southern League tradition, and have some very good players at the club, so I think they are in a false position at the moment," he said. "We were very fortunate to come away from their place with a win earlier in the season, but I am sure they have strengthened since then and will be a tougher side to play. The positions in the table probably make us favourites, but we will not be taking them lightly and will be going all out for the win."
Both Sean McKeon and Dan Wallington are pushing for a start after coming on and changing the game against Shrivenham, and Webb is keen to make the most of his squad. "I always said I would make a few changes over this period, and every player will get a chance. We have a very good squad at the moment, and we can rely on having some quality on the bench, which is always good as a manager."
Blood & Thunder - 23 December
Dave Webb expects 'blood and thunder' when his Highworth Town side meet Shrivenham in a festive local derby on December 27.
Webb's side are seven points and four places above John Fisher's team in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier table, but the Highworth boss is not expecting the two sides' league positions to have much bearing on the result come the kick-off. (Which is an hour earlier than standard at 2pm)
"There will be mistakes from both sides, you can be sure of that, and the side which makes the least will probably come out on top," he said. "The first goal will be crucial, and I expect it to be blood and thunder out there with both teams really looking to win. We do not want to come out of the game having been beaten, because this is the game a lot of the players on both sides really look forward to."
Highworth will not have played for two weeks before the game kicks off, and Webb is keen for his side to avoid a repeat of their defeat to bottom side Bracknell earlier in the season, the last time his side had a big gap in their fixture list. "Losing to Bracknell was a shock, and we do not want that to happen again, so we are going to make sure we have a couple of good training sessions, including one on Christmas Eve, just so we can keep our minds on it. That result showed anything can happen in this football league, so we need to be on our toes."
Weather Worry - 16 December
Dave Webb is concerned Highworth Towns match at Wokingham & Emmbrook tomorrow may get postponed.
He said: "Whether the game is going to be on is debatable with the weather front we've got coming in and the pitch not being the best. But we want the game to be on, we don't want to go to Shrivenham on the 27th having not played in two weeks. The last time that happened we went to Bracknell who were bottom and lost 3-1, so I think we're better when we're playing."
Highworth's Dan Hilder looks likely to be out with flu should the fixture get the go-ahead.
Kiddy Better Than That - 9 December
Dave Webb has warned his players that Kidlington will be a much better side than their league position suggests, ahead of the sides' Hellenic Premier showdown tomorrow.
Kidlington currently lie a modest 13th in the standings while the Worthians are riding higher in seventh, but Webb is expecting an even game at the Elms.
Webb's troops recorded a 1-1 draw with Shortwood in midweek and the boss said: "We've got to replicate the performance we gave on Tuesday "Kidlington are in a false position with the players they have got, I don't see much change to the team they had last year. They should be higher and I'm sure we're looking for improvement in the second half of the season. But we should be confident. Man-for-man Shortwood was probably one of our best performance of the season against a side who will be challenging for the title."
Skipper Ritchie Saunders is unavailable while Gary Hill is suspended, but returning to the squad are strikers Rory Sproule and Tyler Sheppard.
Need To Kick On - 2 December
In the Premier Division eighth-placed Worthians are away to Holyport tomorrow to face the side they beat 1-0 back in August.
Boss Dave Webb said: “I think it might be the first time this season I’ve had everyone available, and I can’t remember the last time I said that. “We’ve got a tricky run of games coming up in the league and we need to kick on. I’m not going to say I’m happy with the position we’re in, because I’m not. I want us to be doing as well as last year.”
Lucky 13? - 26 November
Dave Webb has only 13 players available for Highworth's Bluefin Challenge Cup second round trip to Lambourn today, and the manager is hoping his men will show mental resolve following their 1-0 FA Vase defeat to Willand on Tuesday.
"Lambourn will be up for the game and if we're a bit off, it will be two defeats in a week," said Webb. "It's not going to be easy at all and we will look for a bit of character from the players."
Help Enlisted - 18 November
Dave Webb has enlisted help from an unusual source as he plots the downfall of Willand in the FA Carlsberg Vase second round tomorrow.
According to the Swindon Advertiser, Webb has spoken to several of his contacts at Devizes, who Highworth dumped out 2-1 in extra time in the previous round of the competition. This is because Devizes played the Western Premier leaders in the Les Phillips Cup at the weekend, losing 2-0, and Webb hopes their information can help his side secure a third round berth and £1,200 in prizemoney.
"Devizes played them last Saturday so we had a bit of a rundown from them," said Webb. "I didn't speak to Mark (Love, manager) but a couple of other people there, so hopefully they were telling the truth. I also spoke to Adie Mings (Chippenham boss) as well, so I know a bit about them, even if I haven't got to see them. They aren't top of the league by luck, they are there because they have got good players. Willand are a big, strong side and have got some real quality in their team, so it's going to be a big test for us."
Swindon area sides have done little of note in the FA Vase in recent years, and with Highworth being the only Swindon local Hellenic football team left in the competition, Webb is keen for his troops to seize their opportunity. "It's one of those games that as a manager you look forward to, and the player should be dying to get out there," he said. "It's about not letting the occasion pass you by. No one will expect us to do anything and they may underestimate us, and we may pull off a bit a of a shock. But if we go there and don't perform and get a good hiding, then it won't be a great day for anybody."
Webb is without strikers Josh Parsons and Sean McKeon tomorrow as the pair are cup-tied. Left winger Matty Horsell is injured but Dan Wallington will return from suspension.
Words Of Wisdom - 4 November
Dave Webb has urged his Highworth players to avoid looking at Bracknell's recent results ahead of tomorrow's trip to Larges Lane.
The Robins have lost 13 of their 15 Hellenic Premier games and currently sit at the bottom of the standings, while Highworth are seventh and are therefore favourites to take victory in Berkshire.
But Webb believes his players must adopt a mature state of mind if they are to return down the M4 with three points in the bag.
"Everyone thinks it's a game we're going to win," he said. "The focus I have to get into the players is that it's another game and not to look at recent results. We don't want to be the next team to lose to them. The last game they won was Holyport who have beaten some decent sides in this league themselves, and it just goes to show what they are capable of."
Webb added: "We've had a break for a couple of weeks in the league and teams have overtaken us. It's a massive game for us if we're going to stay in the pack."
Injury doubts for Highworth are Ryan Thomas (groin) and Johnny Aitkenhead (ankle), while Dan Wallington and Craig Curtis are suspended. Joe Martin is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, and Ian Ward has army commitments.
It's Only A Broken Leg! - 14 October
Highworth assistant boss Lee Spalding could face up to two months in a cast after receiving the surprise news that he has broken his leg.
The Swindon Advertiser reports the right-back (pictured), only filling that role due to a player shortage, thought he had suffered a more minor injury following a crunching challenge by an Ardley player in Highworth's 2-0 Hellenic Premier defeat on September 24. But after nearly a fortnight of walking around with the broken tibia, an X-ray revealed the reality of the 39-year-old's situation.
Highworth boss Dave Webb said: "It was a hell of a challenge, not the worst I've ever seen but it was by the biggest player on the pitch and obviously he (Spalding) came out worse. It's a mark of the man that he just got up, walked off and said it would be alright. If it had been me I'd have stayed there and squealed. His best days are probably behind him but he was doing a great job for us. We'll get by, it's just unfortunate for him."
Josh Parsons and Ben Snook are both suspended for three games so will miss tomorrow's clash with Wantage at the Elms. Jonny Aitkenhead (sprained ankle) is an injury doubt.
Crucial Fixture - 30 September
Highworth, who are at home to Flackwell and could leapfrog them into second place if they beat their rivals at the Elms.
The Worthians welcome back skipper Ritchie Saunders as well as Steve Yeardley, who has served his three-game suspension. Ryan Thomas is unavailable.
Boss Dave Webb said: "We're starting to get a squad of players now which gives us that wonderful thing called competition. If anything we're just lacking someone who's regularly finding the net from a forward position, although Tyler Sheppard has done well in recent games."
Worthians Seeking New Signings - 26 August
Top clubs in the country are scrambling to tie up some late signings before the transfer window closes, further down the pyramid Dave Webb is also on the lookout for new faces.
The Highworth Town manager is keen to make further additions to his squad, reports The Swindon Advertiser, and is hoping to bring in one player in time for tomorrow's Hellenic League Premier Division match at Henley Town. The need to strengthen the squad has been highlighted by recent events. Striker Matty Horsell is sidelined for up to three weeks due to a cartlidge injury, while Paul Cooper and Craig Curtis are starting suspensions.
Webb said: "It means we're going to have to get one or two more in. I'm speaking to a few players and trying to get them on board. It's still early days in the season. Players are settling at their clubs and it's a case of trying to convince them to come here."
Webb missed Tuesday's 4-1 defeat at Ardley United - Highworth's first in the league this season - but will be back on the touchline when they head to Henley for the first of three away games in a row. They then travel to Slimbridge on Monday before facing Flackwell Heath next Saturday, which Webb concedes is not ideal but is aware that little can be done due to ground sharing with the cricket team. His focus is on ensuring that his side bounce back from two consecutive losses, having also been beaten 4-1 in Sunday's FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie at home to Odd Down.
"Henley is a big game for us," Webb said. "If we go there and win then it means we have taken three wins from our first four games, which is a good start. However, we can't go there and think that it's going to be easy against them just because they got promoted last year or we will get beaten. We've got three very difficult away games coming up. There's not a lot we can do about it, but it's not ideal because everyone wants to play at home."
Cricklade report that midfielder Ryan Thomas (pictured) has transferred to The Worthians. 19 years old Thomas joined Cricklade last season from Wootton Bassett. The footballer quickly established himself in "Crick"s first team, and they liken him to Tony Daley, "A player with lots of pace and a few tricks." He was Cricklade's "Young Player of the Year" last season.
