HIGHWORTH TOWN NEWS

Worthians Hope To Retain Manager - 24 May

Highworth Town are keen to keep their manager John Fisher on board next season but finances will dictate whether he remains at the Elms.

The Worthians were 16th in the Hellenic Premier in the campaign just gone and despite that disappointing finish, chairman Rohan Haines clarified that he would like Fisher and assistant Kevin Moloney to remain at the helm for 2013/14 when the trio met for talks on Saturday.

However, talking to the Swindon Advertiser, Fisher feels that he can only operate as manager if a sufficient budget is laid on and officials at Highworth are currently running the numbers to see if the club can afford it.

“I want to be there and they want me to be there, so if we can thrash out some sort of budget that’s realistic and I’m happy with, fine,” said Fisher. “Finances are a problem to most clubs at the moment and they are trying to work out whether they can afford a budget or not. That’s how it’s been left. To compete in that league you have to have a budget because of the amount of travelling you have to do. I don’t want to push the club into a corner and demand X,Y, Z if they can’t afford it. Marlow had a budget of about £1,000 this season and they should win the league with £1,000. I’d say if you want to be in the top four then realistically you need a budget of £600 or £700. I don’t think we’re looking at anywhere near that because I know they can’t afford that. Local football is so much commitment for the players now. It’s not asking for a great reward, but the club can only afford what they can afford.”

Fisher has reiterated that should he not be in the managerial hotseat at Highworth next season, then he will retire from the non-league scene. The Worthians boss stated that the Highworth job would be his last prior to taking over at the start of the campaign, and he has not changed in his mind on that front. “It’s either Highworth or nowhere ever again, it’s as simple as that. It’s my last job,” he said. “I’m hoping we can sort something out for next season but if not, that’s the end of it.”

National FA Award Contenders - 17 May

Highworth Town and Highworth Town Juniors FC have won the FA Charter Standard Community Club of the Year not just for Wiltshire but now for the entire South West Region.

Well done to all involved at both clubs particularly respective chairmen Rohan Haines and Mark Collett.

The club now qualifies for the national shortlist and faces competition from six other regional winners with the overall victors being announced at a ceremony at Wembley on Sunday 11th August.

Highworth Town Juniors Win FA Award - 9 May

Highworth Town Juniors have been named as one of six county winners at the 2013 FA Community Awards.

Juniors won the FA charter standard community club award, receiving the FA charter standard development club award.

Six clubs were recognised for their commitment to grassroots football and were selected as winners by a panel of local county FA and McDonald's officials following a public nomination period.

Highworth will now be shortlisted for the Regional FA Community Awards, where they will compete against other county winners for the right to make the National Awards shortlist ahead of the ceremony in August.

Highworth Juniors chairman Mark Collett said: “I’m over the moon. We have worked hard at putting together a club with good foundations where children can progress through the age groups before progressing onto our men’s and ladies’ teams. Over the last season we have developed a successful ‘ability counts’ side (for players with disabilities), which played their first match over the weekend at Stanley Park in Chippenham. The next stage is to now to concentrate on increasing the number of teams we have in our girls’ section. This will help build a strong ladies’ team for the future. I hope the local community can see the benefits this success has brought to the town.”

Senior section chairman Rohan Haines said: “Mark and the junior section thoroughly deserve this FA award and it is a reflection of all the hard work that they have put in to making Highworth Town Football Club a better club and most importantly a club which provides football for all ages and abilities.”

Highworth Town and Highworth Town Juniors were originally two clubs but have now become one. The club is part of a major initiative to bring sports clubs in the town together in order to attract funding to improve facilities in and around the Rec Sports Centre, known as the Sporting Hub. The Hub is the subject of a consultation process between Swindon Borough Council, Highworth Town Council and local residents in order to decide how any development would best serve the local community.

Positive Run - 29 April

Highworth Town's positive run of form in the uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division continued on Saturday as they held high-flyers Binfield to a 0-0 draw at the Elms.

The Worthians are now six unbeaten, a set of results that belies their lowly position in the division, with Saturday’s point all-but ensuring 16th place in the table. Boss John Fisher was upbeat after securing a draw against his team’s third-placed opponents and admitted the hosts could even have taken victory.

“Binfield are third in the league so we have done well again,” he said. “I think they had a bit more of the possession, but we gave a good account of ourselves. They had a couple of chances, but they didn’t really cause our keeper to do a lot. We had a couple of chances to win it and although we didn’t take them, it’s great to keep our run going.”

Fisher has predicted positive things for Highworth in the future if his current set of players remain together for the 2013/14 campaign. Although Highworth have struggled for the majority of the campaign, the manager feels the players have now shown what they can really achieve on the pitch. “It’s really pleasing to see the season go how it is now,” said Fisher. “Everything’s going in the right direction and if the same set of players come back next year then there’s no excuses. We’ve got 14 points out of 18 and if we had done that at the beginning of the year then we would have been right up there. When I look back over the season there isn’t any side that gave us a hiding, we were just giving silly goals away. There’s nothing to say the players can’t compete a little bit and that’s pleasing.”

Highworth travel to Cheltenham Saracens on tomorrow night for the season finale.

Fisher Considers Position - 26 April

John Fisher admits that halfway through the season he felt that the 2012/13 campaign would be his last. The Highworth boss came back to the Elms in the summer and had to build almost an entire squad from scratch.

It was a squad that struggled in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier division throughout the season, although the Worthians are now highly unlikely to suffer relegation. Fisher revealed he had considered not carrying on at the end of the season, having stated months previously that Highworth would be his last job.

When asked if he would like to carry on, Fisher said: “At Christmas I would have said ‘no’. Things have changed a little bit now with us winning a bit, but I can’t say one way or another, we’ll have to wait and see how the land lies. Who knows what I’m going to be doing next year? I’m going to sit down with the chairman (Rohan Haines) and he might say he doesn’t want me. We’ll sit down in the next month and see what happens. Saturdays are fine for me but I’m getting old and midweek games are a little bit more of a problem. When you’re losing it all becomes harder, but when you’re winning everything becomes easy. Me and Moey (Kevin Moloney, assistant manager) will sit down with Rohan and see where we are going and hopefully sort something out.”

Highworth welcome Binfield tomorrow with Chris Flanagan the only absentee due to unavailability. “We’ve won four in a row and are five unbeaten, so if we win the next two it will be a good finish to the season,” said Fisher. “It’s nice to win, the atmosphere in the changing room and around the club is a lot better. The difference is we’ve got a settled side now and haven’t picked up any injuries. We’re playing football the right way, we’re winning.”

Survival Boosted - 8 April

Highworth Town boosted their Uhlsport Hellenic Premier survival chances with a 3-1 victory leaving Elms boss John Fisher in buoyant mood.

He commented after the home win against Newbury “It wasn’t pretty and the pitch was rock-hard, but we dug in and got three points and that’s the most important thing,” he said. “The teams around us lost points, so that was a positive as well. Quite truthfully I don’t think anyone is going to go down, but you can’t rely on that, “We’ve got five games left and we’be just got to get as many points as we can. I’m not worried about the performances any more. We aren’t playing either of the next two Saturdays which isn’t ideal, we’be got Oxford City Nomads and Slimbridge in midweek, but hey ho.”

Retain Premier Status - 29 March

John Fisher has poured cold water on the idea that it would benefit Highworth to be relegated from the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division.

The Elms side are fighting for their lives having been embroiled in a relegation battle for the majority of 2012/13. Highworth take on visitors Ascot tomorrow and Fisher wants his team to virtually double their win tally by the time the campaign finishes. “People say sometimes it would be good to go down, what a load of rubbish that is. I’d rather be in the Premier than Division One,” said Fisher. “We’ve got to look to win four of our eight games and we’ve only won five all season. In the last few games the players have showed a lot of togetherness. We drew at Ascot, beat Slimbridge and we deserved to something against Wantage in midweek as well. We’ve got eight games left and it’s not looking the best if four go down, there’s no use lying about it. Slimbridge are applying to join the Western League and the league is three short anyway, so I think even if we’re third from bottom we’ll be OK.”

Darren Smart has come through a hamstring problem and will play while Scott Lane is away for personal reasons.

Fisher's Favourites - 15 March

John Fisher believes that only the bottom two in the Hellenic Premier Division will suffer relegation, and admits that both his Highworth side and former club Shrivenham are favourites for the drop.

Theoretically none of the bottom four are safe from slipping down to a lower league, but Elms chief Fisher reckons that the pattern of recent seasons will continue to be followed with certain clubs earning a reprieve. Highworth are second-bottom and a point from safety according to Fisher's model, he is convinced his side need to jump up one more spot to ensure they avoid playing Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One West football next season. “Not being rude but I think Shrivvy might not be looking favourites to get out of it, but if you're going to be honest, neither are we,” said Fisher. “I'd say there are about seven teams fighting to stay up, but I think only two will go down anyway because the league's only got 19 in it. We started the season with 20 and then Witney pulled out. If the league wants to have 22 teams next season then they won't be able to relegate anybody and there's talk of Slimbridge going to the Western League, but you can't really bank on that. I've never known four teams to go down, I think you need to be third or fourth from bottom to make sure you're safe. We've got 10 games left and they are 10 cup finals. I still believe we're capable of going on a run but it's just a matter of getting on it. We've got to start picking up points.”

Highworth go into tomorrow's home clash with Oxford City Nomads boosted by the recent double signing of former Calne striker Glenn Armstrong and ex-Worcester youngster Nick Andrews. Armstrong, nicknamed 'the goal', has played little over the last few months but did turn out for the Bremhill View side last weekend, scoring in their 3-2 win over Elmore. “We lost Steve Robertson to Wootton Bassett and Glenn was available,” said Fisher. “He's been at Calne most of his life but he hasn't done much there in about two months. He gives you a good shift in games.”

Defender Andrews recently moved into the area and works alongside Liam Williams, meaning he was enticed to the Elms. Highworth welcome back Brad Clark from suspension tomorrow but skipper Darren Smart could face another week out of action with a hamstring injury.

Early Doors - 22 February

John Fisher says Highworth must stay in the game early on against the vistors when they face league leaders Marlow at the Elms tomorrow.

Highworth are seven points from guaranteed safety and desperately need wins on the board if they are to survive in the Hellenic Premier. Fisher believes keeping the Blues at bay in the opening 20 minutes will provide valuable building blocks if his team are to secure a point or better. “The hardest part is not conceding early. When sides at the bottom concede early they lose confidence and the floodgates open,” he said. “When you’re at the top and you concede, you think you can get back into it. What you don’t want is to be out of the game after 20 minutes. Marlow are good going forward, no two ways about it. They aren’t great at the back but their policy is that they will score more than you, and nine times out of 10 they do. They are very well-organised and a good side. Their manager is a nice fella as well, he speaks to you courteously and some don’t these days. They are going to win the league by a mile and I’ve got nothing but admiration for them.”

Fisher admits he is still worried about his players’ fitness levels as Highworth did not play last weekend, and says he would be delighted with a draw tomorrow. He said: “We need the points so it’s going to be a battle. My only concern is the fitness but you can’t do much about that at our level. They will be fresh and fit from last week, whereas we haven’t done a lot. Hopefully we can contain them until we get into the game. If someone offered me a point, I’d take it right now. Three points would be fantastic but you have to be realistic. For that to happen you have to have a real good day and they have to be off their game, that’s how it is. It does happen but we have to match them and all of the 11 players have to win their personal battles.”

Witney’s Demise Is Fisher's Woe – 18 February

John Fisher feels Highworth Town would be six points better off in the Hellenic Premier if Witney had survived until the end of the season.

The cash-strapped Oxfordshire club folded last week with Fisher’s relegation-battling troops having already secured three points against them.  The teams were due to meet on Saturday but that fixture was cancelled, leaving Highworth four points off automatic safety and giving Fisher cause for irritation.

“What annoys me is we took three points against them but now they have been deducted,” he said.  “We can’t do much about it. It’s one of those things and we’ve just got to carry on.  It dropped us down because all the teams around us got battered by them, so we’re the ones that suffer. But those are the rules even if they don’t help us at all.  Witney weren’t that good and there was a good chance for us to get three points on Saturday, so it was a double whammy.  Instead of being six points up we’re three points down.”

Highworth have only played three times this year and Fisher is concerned that the lack of match time will impact on fitness levels.  That is a worry he could do without as the Worthians prepare for the visit of league leaders Marlow on Saturday.  “We’re not falling behind with our fixtures, but most teams played on Saturday and at our level fitness levels drop so fast,” said Fisher.  “We proved it against Holyport (Highworth lost 1-0 on February 5 having not played for over three weeks), we were awful for the first 20 minutes but then we got going and got into it. The trouble is, when you play the top sides they are too far ahead by the time you get your legs going.  We’ve got Marlow next and they played on Saturday and are playing midweek as well.”

TV For Fisher - 25 January

Highworth’s home game against Binfield looks set to fall victim to the weather and boss John Fisher is preparing himself for a few hours in front of Soccer Saturday instead.

“It’s going to be another Saturday at home watching Sky Sports,” he said. “This week being off isn’t really going to do us any favours. That will be nearly three weeks off, but at least everyone is in the same boat. The only good thing about it is it gives players carrying knocks the chance to get over them.”

Highworth have no facilities booked for training in the next few days with a road run looking their most likely option.

Freeze To Continue - 21 January

John Fisher reckons consecutive Hellenic League Saturday games could be wiped out by the cold weather.

But the Elms chief is not too concerned about that, with his side having played 23 Hellenic Premier matches, leaving them well up on their fixtures.

Highworth's trip to Abingdon on Saturday was postponed due to the cold snap and now Fisher fears for the home clash with Binfield at the Elms this coming weekend “Looking at the weather, I think it's going to be a struggle for next week,” he said. “Luckily for us, we've been playing nearly every Saturday all season so we've kept ticking over. We won't be training this week because everywhere is booked up, but that's something we'll have to look at for next week.”

21st Anniversary Sixes - 18 January

The competiton is over the weekend 14-16 June 2013 and run age Groups from Under 7s to Under 16s. Starting with the Under 15's age group on the Friday night 14 June at 6:30pm. In addition to the youth's there will be a Ladies tournament also taking place on the Saturday.

Last year we received 235 entries into our Tournament. To enter your team in the 2013 event download these files.

Critical Period For Worthians - 11 January

Only goal difference separates Highworth from the bottom four and manager John Fisher believes the Elms side are now entering a critical period. The Worthians welcome Kidlington tomorrow with Holyport and Abingdon to follow, and positive results are imperative against the trio of struggler's, according to Fisher.

“The next three games are big for us, we’ve got to get some serious points from those otherwise we’re going to be in a dogfight until the end of the season,” he said. “That’s not the position we want to be in and the players know the situation. The games are getting less and less. Against Ardley and Marlow, who are both top sides, we showed we can play but still lost the games. This time there are no excuses. We played Kidlington at their place and could have been two or three up by the time they scored (Kiddy eventually won 5-1), but I think we’ve come a long way since. Hopefully we can win at least the next two games and that will give us a bit of breathing space.”

Highworth are missing Martin Stratford (knee) and Russell Byrne (groin) for tomorrow’s game but Tom Fila returns to the squad.

Better Performance Despite Loss - 7 January

There was disappointment for Highworth Town, who were sunk 2-1 at Ardley United on Saturday afternoon, but the improvement continues.

Aaron Maximen pulled Highworth level after Ardley had gone ahead through a dubious penalty, but the hosts grabbed a late winner.

Highworth boss John Fisher said: “We made a mistake at the back and conceded a silly goal with three minutes to go. The full-back and the goalkeeper left it to each other and they nipped in and scored. I’m disappointed but I can’t complain with the commitment and work ethic, it’s just sad we couldn’t turn it round. The performance I was pleased with.”

Bounce Back - 4 January

Highworth travel to Premier Division fifth-placed Ardley United as they look to bounce back from a 5-4 defeat to Marlow, manager John Fisher believes his side can get something out the game.

“They are a good side and they go into the game as favourites, but with the group of players we have got together I am confident we can get something,” he said. “Ardley play the same way as Marlow do, getting the ball quickly to the forwards and then supporting them, but we are going there to get something.”

Highworth’s only absentee is Martin Stratford, who serves the second game of his two-match ban.

Battling Loss For Highworth - 31 December

Virtually all of the Hellenic League schedule was washed out on Saturday, but Highworth ultimately succumbed to a battling 5-4 defeat at Marlow.

The struggling Worthians emerged with plenty of credit and avoided the prospect of a return trip to Buckinghamshire on a cold Tuesday night in January. Highworth manager John Fisher said: “We didn’t think the game would be on and we kept calling during the drive up there. The pitch wasn’t too bad to be fair and it didn’t play much of a part in the game. Marlow like to get it from front to back quickly but you have to wonder about a team hoping to win the league conceding four at home. Where they are very good, though, is up front.”

Michael Bartley proved that point with a brilliant first-half hat-trick as Marlow stormed ahead. Following Bartley’s opener, Highworth hit back to lead through Brad Clarke’s brace, but the hosts’ hitman completed his treble to give a Marlow a 3-2 interval advantage. Ben Gladwin made it 4-2 10 minutes into the second period, Darren Smart reduced arrears again, Ian Davies made it 5-3 before Ryan King gave the visitors an 80th-minute lifeline, which left the leaders clinging on at the end.

Even in defeat, the performance is sure to lift the spirits of a side still flirting with the bottom four in the Premier Division, particularly on the back of Boxing Day’s 10-1 mauling of Shrivenham. Fisher added: “If you’d have said to me you’ll go to the top of the league and score four goals I’d have expected us to win but sloppy defending let us down again. I can’t fault the lads’ effort, and they’ve proved that they can compete with the best in this league but, at the end of the day, we’ve not taken any points from the game. The two games here and against Shrivenham have shown we’re moving in the right direction though. We have 10 home games left against a lot of the teams around us in the table and if we play like we did on Saturday we’ll win more than we lose.”

No Enjoyment From Resounding Scoreline - 27 December

John Fisher admitted he didn’t enjoy watching his side tear former club Shrivenham apart on their way to a resounding 10-1 Boxing Day derby victory.

A goal from Steve Robinson set the tone for what was to follow after only two minutes, with a hat-trick from Bradley Clark, braces from Russell Byrne and Darren Smart and goals from Aaron Maximen and Shannon Pocock sealing the crushing win. Shrivenham scored the goal of the game through a 30-yard free kick which made it 2-1, but it was all down hill from there as the home side run riot to pull themselves further away from the bottom of the table.

Fisher earned victory in the same fixture this time last year while in charge at Shrivvy, and while he was proud of his team’s performance, he admitted he didn’t enjoy watching his old club suffer. “This sort of result should never happen really, and I did not enjoy it at all if I am honest,” he said. “It is a club I used to manage and I know exactly how hard so many people behind the scenes work to help the club, and I know the result will hurt them. I think 5-1 would have been enough, and I think I would have preferred that rather than 10-1, but what can you do? We have to do what we have to do, and it was a good win for us.”

Fisher believes Robinson’s goal set the tone for what was to come, and was pleased with the way his side dominated proceedings. “We scored really early on which was obviously a great start, and then they grabbed one back to make it 2-1 with what was probably the goal of the game,” he said. "But we went in at half-time 4-1 up which was perfect, and I said to the lads that I would be more than happy with that as the final score, and that I didn’t want to concede again. We scored four in 10 minutes after half-time which was great, and we dominated them all over the pitch. I think our keeper only touched the ball six times during the second half, and that shouldn’t be happening, although Chelsea beat Aston Villa 8-0 so it sometimes does.”

The devastating defeat leaves Shrivvy well adrift at the foot of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier table, and Fisher can’t see any way back for Les Gill’s men. “Unfortunately I can’t see anything but relegation for Shrivenham this season, and I am sad to have to say that,” he said. “It is going to be really hard for them to compete, and they have lost a few players too which makes it tougher. I think they had four players drop out before this game, and with respect that should not be happening for a Boxing Day game in a local derby.”

Christmas Cheer - 24 December

John Fisher has stoked the fires ahead of the Highworth v Shrivenham Boxing Day derby by claiming he expects to win.

The Elms boss won the December 26 clash last year when on the other side of the fence, and this time round is anticipating another three Hellenic Premier points. “Highworth are expecting to beat Shrivenham this year, let’s be fair about it,” said Fisher. “Shrivenham can’t lose, if they don’t get anything out of it then they weren’t expected to anyway. That’s if the game is on at all as the forecast is bad.”

Highworth have signed Tom Fila from Hungerford who figured in the 2-0 defeat at Highmoor on Saturday, the only game in the entire Hellenic League to go ahead. Goals either side of the break at the Palmer Park Stadium from Callum Gallimore and Steven Peacock condemned Highworth to defeat.

Fisher added: “I can’t fault the way the players are playing at the moment, they are giving me everything they can. They are showing the commitment and the attitude and trying to do what I ask them to.”

Early Strikes Sink Highworth - 17 December

Highworth never recovered from conceding twice inside the first 10 minutes as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Oxford City Nomads.

The Elms side went into the game hopeful of picking up points to get their run of winnable Christmas games off to a promising start, but despite creating a number of good chances they couldn’t force their way back into the contest.

Manager John Fisher was reasonably pleased with his side’s response to going behind in the Premier clash division , but admitted his players couldn’t afford to give their opposition the advantage so early on. “We were two down after 10 minutes and from then on it was always an uphill task,” he said. “We had chances to score, and some good chances, but giving them two goals straight away made it very hard for us, and there was some poor defending for those goals too. But I don’t blame the defence, not just the back four, I blame the whole side because we defend as an 11 and attack as an 11. Defence is where we let ourselves down and we switch off and don’t pick up the man, and in this game we made it really hard for ourselves. We matched them and it was end to end stuff on a really good pitch. I don’t think they really beat us, we beat ourselves, and that is the disappointing thing because we switched off.”

Highworth face Highmoor Ibis and bottom side Shrivenham in their next two games, and Fisher knows they need to start picking up points from those matches.

“We have two really big games now where we play Highmoor Ibis and then Shrivenham, and we really need to be looking to take some points from those games,” he said. “Fortunately the sides around us lost on Saturday, so it wasn’t such a bad day, but we need to help ourselves by picking up some points.”

Points Available - 14 December

Highworth travel to Oxford City Nomads, and boss John Fisher believes there are points to be had for his side.

"They are a mid table side, so it is the sort of game where we are capable of picking up some points,” he said. “We have got to start winning games, we know that, and there are points to be had from this game and the two after that, and it would be good to go into 2013 in the right direction. We have a full side available to us, but we will have to wait and see whether the game is on because of the damage the cold weather might have done to the pitch.”

Tempus Fugit - 10 December

John Fisher was left fuming after Highworth conceded an 101st-minute equaliser against visiting Thame in the Hellenic Premier.

The Elms manager struggled to believe that 12 minutes of added time was ordered by the referee in the first place. Steve Robertson had put Highworth 1-0 up heading into the break before Thame grabbed their late equaliser.

In the aftermath of the goal there was then a 20-man brawl and the hosts’ Martin Stratford was sent off for foul and abusive language. “I questioned the ref afterwards as to why we had 12 minutes added time for the substitutions and the physio coming on twice,” said Fisher. “It was a absolute disgrace and I wasn’t a happy bunny afterwards because it cost us two points. It wasn’t a corner leading up to their goal, but I’m not blaming the ref for that because we should have defended it better. But you just don’t have 12 minutes of injury time unless you have a real bad injury. It was Alex Ferguson time, I believe he miscalculated his watch.”

Keeper Signing For Worthians - 7 December

Highworth Town have a new goalkeeper in the form of Gary Eggleton after he signed from Shrivenham.

Work commitments mean regular stopper Ryan Griggs has had to move away so Worthians boss John Fisher swooped for Eggleton.

Eggleton (pictured) will make his debut in the home game against Thame tomorrow, but Russell Byrne and Joe Deyager are away and Johnny Aitkenhead is suspended.

On the new signing, Fisher said: “Since the new manager came in at Shrivenham (Les Gill) he’s not been in favour and we were on the lookout. He starts as number one as of Saturday. We need three points but that’s been the case for a month or two, so nothing changes.”

Litmus Test - 30 November

Highworth Town are in Bluefin Insurers Challenge Cup third round action, squaring off against table toppers Marlow at The Elms.

The Worthians’ boss is delighted that his team have advanced this far, largely because it means his team avoided the supplementary competition. And he is hoping to upset tomorrow’s opponents and move a step closer to defending the cup his predecessor Dave Webb won last year. Fisher sees the visit of the Premier Division league leaders as a litmus test for his team.

“It’s a chance to see how far you’re away,” he said. “I always enjoy games against teams at the top. I’d rather be playing the likes of Marlow every week.”

Darren Smart returns for Highworth after recovering from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, versatile left-side player James Lewis has been added to the squad, but an ankle injury means he’s unlikely to feature tomorrow. Fisher is still looking for further reinforcements, including another goalkeeper after losing Ryan Griggs, who has left due to work commitments.

Welcome Point For Worthians - 26 November

Highworth Town came from two goals down to secure a Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division point in hammering rain at Thame United.

The relegation-battling visitors were 2-0 down minutes into the second half after Ellis Hercules and Niall Hodgkins put United in the ascendancy. However, Ryan King's pass allowed Steve Robertson to jink away from his man and smash in the Worthians' first goal of the day in the 68th minute. Robertson was immediately substituted due to fatigue and his replacement, Aaron Maximen, proved an inspired replacement, nodding Brad Clark's cross into the top corner two minutes from time. Clark might have even won it for Highworth but his shot in the closing seconds fizzed the wrong side of the upright.

Boss John Fisher said: “The first 20 minutes we were playing quite good stuff but then we switched off and they scored from it. We were poor for the last 20 minutes of the first half. They scored in the first five minutes of the second half and at 2-0 down I would definitely have taken a point, but after that we completely dominated. The good thing is that four or five weeks ago we would have gone on to lose that game 4-0 or 5-0, but now we're showing a lot more fight. We have only lost twice in the last six games, so we're going in the direction. The players are disappointed they didn't win, which is a good sign.”

Many strikers would not have been pleased to be hauled off seconds after scoring for their side, but Fisher believes Robertson was content to exit the field of play. The boss explained: “He's only just come back from six months out with a cruciate knee injury, and recently he's been on the bench coming on, but yesterday we decided to start him. Just before he scored we wanted to get Max (Maximen) on because Steve was starting to look a bit tired. We took him off before they had the chance to kick off again. Even though he had just scored he didn't mind, he was quite happy. He came running off and didn't say a thing and it ended up working out quite well for us.”

Fisher was relieved that the game was on at all, one of only two matches that took place in the division, as it meant Highworth avoided an extra midweek fixture. He added: “It was lashing down all the way down there. I didn't think it would be on and we kept making phone calls on the way over, driving through Oxford the fields were just standing water. The pitch was playable, no two ways about it, and it held out fine. If it had been called off we would have had to go up there in midweek, but on a Saturday players are available. We had five subs available and in midweek we'd be lucky to have two.”

Passing Game - 23 November

Thame’s pitch and surrounding facilities are widely regarded as the best in the Hellenic League and boss Fisher’s opinion is no different. He believes having that smooth surface available to them has bred a passing style of football that United have maintained.

“It’s the best pitch in the league, it’s absolutely superb. Everything about the place is first-class. Thame play quite good football, mind you, with that pitch you wouldn’t expect anything else. They always hang around halfway in the league, they never push to win it but they never have to worry about going down. We beat them in the AM Print & Copy Floodlit Cup but you don’t know if that was their first-choice 11 or not. It will be a stern test."

Sunk At Melksham - 19 November

Highworth were knocked out of the Wiltshire Senior cup after being sunk 2-1 by Western League counterparts Melksham.

The hosts took a controversial first-half lead when an offside was not given and the home striker was able to drive low into the net. Melksham extended the advantage from the spot in the second half after the visiting goalkeeper brought down his man. Steve Robertson was thrown into the fray and he grabbed a goal back but Highworth were unable to find a leveller.

Worthians manager John Fisher said: “It could have gone either way, they had chances and we had chances. Unfortunately they scored the goals and we didn’t. I thought their first goal was offside but even so, we still had a couple of chances to equalise at the end.”

Clash Of The Premier Divisions - 16 November

Melksham versus Highworth, and more Western League against Hellenic League on Saturday, according to Highworth boss John Fisher prior to their Wiltshire Senior Cup match.

The sides clash in the last 16 of the Wiltshire Senior Cup at the Conigre in a rare match-up between two teams at the same level. Fisher is looking forward to the trip south as he aims to redress a balance that he says Hellenic sides are on the wrong end of.

“The Wilts Senior Cup has always been a competition between Hellenic League and Western League sides as to who’s the best,” he said. “It’s always the same, never changes. Quite truthfully the Western League sides have come out on top. We’ll hope to turn that round on Saturday and we certainly go into it full of confidence as we’ve won three of the last four games, so there’s no excuses. It’s one we’re looking to win but it’s about who comes out on the day, you wouldn’t say either side were favourites. You couldn’t call it but hopefully it’s our day.”

Highworth are without TJ Bohane and Scott Lane, who are on holiday, while Kev Tate is away as well. Darren Smart looks set for a couple of weeks out with a hamstring problem but Russell Byrne is back from injury.

Boost For Highworth - 12 November

Bradley Clark (left) gave Highworth Town a huge boost in their battle against the drop by drilling a late winner against Witney Town.

The Worthians would not have been fancied by many to pick up three points at home to the Hellenic Premier high-flyers but Clark’s goal in the closing seconds secured just that. Receiving the ball in the left corner, the right winger beat his man and smashed at goal from a tight angle, with the visiting stopper only succeeding in helping it into his own net. That effort handed Highworth their third win of the season and kept them in touch with Kidlington, Reading and Ascot, the three teams just above them in the table.

The manager was delighted to pick up points that could prove crucial in the long run. He said: “It was a very good performance. We went with four at the back, five in midfield and one up top, with the two wide men getting forward and it worked really well. If you don’t concede early on then everyone gets a bit more confident and I went in at half-time and told them that they deserved to be in front. I always knew we were a good side and we produced it and deserved what we got, even their manager said so.”

Now the Highworth manager is focused on cajoling similar performances out of his team as he looks to continue their recent upturn in form. “If we can keep this momentum going then we will get out of trouble, we’re too good not to,” he said. “But it’s not just about producing it against Witney, we’ve got to play exactly the same against sides that are in the same position we are, and we’ve got to do it week in, week out. We’ve won three out of the last four games and that’s great for the lads, whether it’s in the league or cup that’s what you want to be doing.”

Worthians Goal Hopes - 9 November

Highworth believe they can boast one of the best natural goal scorers in the Hellenic Premier now Steve Robertson is over his injury problems.

The forward (pictured) spent the last two seasons with Town manager John Fisher at Shrivenham, but after recovering from knee surgery over the summer he has rejoined his former boss to help Highworth’s push up the table.

Fisher is pleased to have got his man, and is convinced Robertson will find the net on a regular basis and give his side an edge in the penalty area. “He is over his surgery now and he hasn’t featured all season, but he has played a couple of reserve games and he is back with us which is great, because he is one of the best goalscorers in the league. He is one of the top five in the league without a shadow of a doubt, and there are just some players out there who score goals no matter what they do, and he is one of them. He scores them in different ways too, and without being crude it can come off his backside and still go in. That is what we have missed because players like him are few and far between, and to have him in the side is great because it adds another string to our bow. He was with Highworth for a long while and then came to Shrivvy with me, but he is back with Highworth now and he signed back on two weeks ago."

Highworth host Witney Town tomorrow after earning the bragging rights with their derby victory over the boss’s old club last time out, but he is expecting a very different game this week. “They are one of the favourites to win the league, so it will be tough,” Fisher said. “Last weekend I knew we always had a chance of doing something, but this week is different and we will have to be at our best to get anything. But if we play the way I know we are capable of then we will give ourselves a decent chance.”

Two First Half Goals Clinch Victory - 5 November

TJ Bohane and Aaron Maximen both found the net in the first period to set Highworth well on their way to victory in the Bluefin Insurers Challenge Cup, against local rivals Shrivenham.

The visitors also saw Scott Scanlon sent off late on as they pushed to draw level, but manager John Fisher believes his side should have had the game wrapped up well before the end. “I am pleased with the result of course, but the scoreline makes it look a lot tighter than what it actually was,” he said. “We were 2-0 up at half-time but we could easily be 4-0 up, and they weren’t only half chances, they were good chances. It should have been four because we had quite a lot of the ball, but in the second half, fair play to them, they have come out and given it a good go. We still missed two more chances, so it could have been six and they scored in the last minute. Everyone will be thinking ‘oh, 2-1, it was a close game’, but it wasn’t. I am just pleased we got the win but disappointed to concede, although a real plus is that we are making chances for ourselves because if you are not, that is when things get worrying.”

Fisher was pleased to see Bohane get amongst the goals, but knows he could return to parent club Swindon Supermarine at any time. “TJ is doing well and working hard, but the thing with him at the moment is his fitness, because he has not been playing very much,” he said. “He has come back here and knows the club and knows all the lads, so it has not been too hard for him to settle in. It has worked out well but I am not sure how long it will last, and can be called back at any time and we respect that, but the longer he is here the better for Highworth Town Football Club.”

Highworth are currently struggling near the bottom of the Hellenic Premier, but Fisher believes success in cup competitions can help their cause in the league. “It keeps our season going in the cups which is good because if you are out of all the cups and bottom of the league, then your season is over by Christmas,” he said. “We have got some more cup games coming up, and if we keep progressing, get the confidence, then we can hopefully move away from the bottom of the league.”

No Job Envy - 2 November

The "Hellenic League Jester" has stoked the fires ahead of this weekend’s Highworth-Shrivenham derby by telling opposition boss Les Gill - ‘ I wouldn’t want your job’.

The teams meet in the second round of the Challenge Cup at the Elms tomorrow and Highworth manager John Fisher, a former boss at Shrivenham, says he is quite happy to be in his current position. Gill took charge of his first game last weekend after replacing the departed Michael McNally, and while Fisher commended the former Sanford boss for taking on the challenge, he believes Shrivvy will continue to toil in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier. Highworth currently occupy the third from bottom space in the Hellenic Premier, with Shrivvy one place below them, on the same points. Gill will have to ensure Shrivvy finish the season above the bottom six to eclipse Fisher's two year tenure at Shrivenham.

“Shrivvy have brought in a new manager and he has signed some new players who will want to impress him, although they didn’t impress me when I watched them on Wednesday,” said Fisher. “It’s a tall order for him, he’s got no budget whatsoever but still has to entice people to go there. It’s going to be a hard job and quite truthfully I wouldn’t want it, I’ve got enough of a job myself, but at least I have a budget to work with. He’s managed at Wilts League level and done well, but I think they are going to struggle. Fair play to him for taking it on, he obviously believes he can turn it round.”

Highworth and Shrivenham might both have made disappointing starts to the season and be on the same seven-point total in the league, but Fisher says his side are expected to progress on Saturday. “At the end of the day, Highworth have always been favourites in this derby, we’re classed as favourites this time and I’m aware of that,” he said. “We’ve got to go into it expecting to win, but the way things are at the minute, anything can happen. I just want a good performance and a win. That would just start getting us into the sort of pattern where people can start believing in themselves. If you can’t get yourself up for a local derby then you shouldn’t be playing, and I shouldn’t really have to say much at all beforehand.”

Fisher has a full squad for tomorrow’s clash.

Chances Blown In 15 Minutes - 29 October

John Fisher admits Highworth blew their chances of three points inside a quarter of an hour against Ardley.

The Hellenic Premier strugglers were 3-0 down inside 15 minutes at the Elms and at that point boss Fisher feared his side could be in for a serious hammering. Ultimately the Worthians managed to stem the flow but a 4-1 defeat was not the result any of the Highworth faithful wanted, with TJ Bohane’s first goal since returning to the club proving scant consolation.

“Quite truthfully, the game was over after 15 minutes,” said Fisher in the Swindon Advertiser. “We gave away three sloppy goals and you can’t do that against top sides. There wasn’t actually that much in it overall, their chairman said to ours at half time that they had three chances and scored three goals, and we had had six and not scored any. It was damage limitation in the first half and because we had the wind and the slope with us at that point, you’re wondering what it was going to be like in the second. It wasn’t too bad in the end, but by that point the game was over. We showed a lot of character when we could have chucked the towel in, so that was pleasing. We could have conceded six or seven but the players gave 100 per cent and that’s all you can ask for. I can’t fault their commitment and it's just about digging in and trying to turn the corner now. I believe if we can get on a run we've got the players to sustain it, but it's just a question of actually getting on that run.”

Ben Thomas, Josh Eyre and Ollie Stanbridge put Ardley 3-0 up with 14 minutes played on Saturday. Steve Howkins make it 4-0 just after the hour, before Bohane pounced with 20 minutes left.

Take The Chances - 26 October

Highworth’s manager wants his front players to make the most of their chances as he looks to ease relegation worries.

John Fisher is more than happy with the strikers at his disposal, he says missed opportunities are resulting in great pressure on the defence. Highworth have not won in the Hellenic Premier since late August and face a tough task to reverse that trend when they host Ardley tomorrow, but buoyed by the 3-1 midweek Floodlit Cup victory over Thame, Fisher believes his front man have a key role to play in the relegation fight.

He said: “Witney are quite high in the table so it will be a test, but with the lads we’ve got going forward now, Brad Clark, TJ Bohane and Aaron Maximen), they are dangerous. We’ve just got to learn to kill sides off. We heap so much pressure on our back four and if they took more of their chances then that wouldn’t happen. We must have created seven or eight chances against Thame and if you take those then we’ve won the game comfortably. We went 2-0 up but it should have been four or five before they scored themselves. TJ made a difference for us and it meant we carried more of a threat.”

Highworth Will Escape -19 October

John Fisher still believes Highworth will escape from the wretched run that has seen them slide into the Hellenic Premier doldrums.

The Elms outfit are third-bottom having secured just seven points from their first 10 games, their last league win being in August.
However, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Flackwell Heath, Fisher is adamant the dismal run will turn round. “When you’re on a run they are difficult to get out of, they become infectious,” he said. “We’ve got to get out of this as soon as we can and make sure the group of teams above us don’t pull away, because then it makes it even harder. I believe we’ll get out of it but the players have to believe it themselves. I’d rather we play poorly and get three points than play well and get beat.”

Yes To Life Charity Match - 6 October

Andrew Chester was a player who played for Highworth Town and Coleshill United as a goalkeeper.

Andrew sadly passed away with cancer 5 years ago at the young age of 24. On Friday 28 September a charity match between Highworth Town Old Boys v Coleshill United Old Boys was played at The Elms Recreation Ground, the home ground of Highworth Town Football Club. 

Both Clubs have competed for Andrews Trophy for the last 4 years, having raised money for different cancer charities selected by Andrews' mother. This year £680.50 was raised for the Yes To Life, a new charitable initiative to open up a positive future for people with cancer in the UK by supporting an integrative approach to cancer care. 

Coleshill Old Boys won the match 5-4 with both teams having very heavy legs at the end of the match. Andrews' mum presented the Cup to the winning manager in the clubhouse at the end of the evening.

Those involved with organising the Charity football match would like to thank all the companies and all the individuals who donated raffle and auction prizes. Also, thanks to Simon Heaford and Martin Suter for arranging the evening once again.

New Recruits Thwart Highworth - 1 October

Highworth ‘threw the towel in’ after going 2-0 down in Saturday’s Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division game at home to Reading, says John Fisher.

The struggling Worthians eventually lost the Hellenic Premier encounter 3-0 courtesy of a brace from Tranel Richardson and a goal from Graham Lewis, the latter recently returned from high-flyers Marlow. Bradley Clark failed to convert a penalty for the hosts when they were 1-0 down early in the second half, and Reading made sure of victory late on.

Fisher said: “The performance wasn’t that bad but when we went 2-0 down, heads went down and we threw the towel in. That isn’t what I expect from a team run by myself and Kevin (Moloney, assistant manager). I always tell my players that I don’t mind if we get beat if they give me a shift. Too many players threw the towel in but I suppose that’s life and it helps you find out who your characters are. It shouldn’t have been 3-0, that’s for sure. We had a lot of the ball in the first half, but the keeper made a couple of good saves and they hit us on the break. Second half we had a lot of the ball and missed a penalty and then they scored twice in the last 10 minutes. Maybe if we had scored the penalty that would have got us back in it. Their keeper had just come in from Oxford United and they had a good right-back who apparently is on loan from Hayes. If they had had a keeper from this level of football then maybe one or two of our efforts would have gone in. But I can’t gripe about the players they have been able to get in, I would do the same if I could.”

Fisher remains in positive mood despite his team’s latest setback, revealing that players and management needed to ‘dig in’ as they go in search of all-important league points. “We’ve got another 30 games left and if we win those we win the league,” he joked. “We’ve got Highmoor next week and they lost 6-0 today so I expect it will be 1-1 on Saturday. We’ve just got to dig in and try and improve. If it was easy everyone would be doing it. I don’t like losing but it’s done and dusted and we’ve got to move on.”

Je Ne Regrette Rien - 28 September

John Fisher is adamant he has no regrets about going back to Highworth despite his team’s difficult start to the season.

Fisher returned to the Elms this summer but immediately had to cope with the loss of almost the entire first-team squad, and he has found wins hard to come by so far, with his side currently battling to stay out of the relegation spots in the Hellenic Premier.

However, the ex-Shrivenham and Supermarine chief insists he is enjoying life at the helm and added that matters were starting to improve. “I must admit I didn’t expect quite so many to leave, because Webby (ex-Highworth manager Dave Webb) took a few with him to Supermarine and some others went to different places,” said Fisher. “But it’s been great to come back and I enjoy Highworth as a football club, even if it’s been harder than I anticipated with so many leaving. Now I can see it’s starting to take shape, whereas a month ago it was very difficult. It’s still my last job, that’s for certain. It’s looking quite good now because we’re getting players back and now they will have to fight for the shirt. If they walk in and know they are going to play every week, that’s no good for anybody. The players have got to be thinking now that they need to perform, otherwise they aren’t going to get picked. There’s no excuses, we’ve got a good enough squad, we’ve just got to start winning games. A couple of wins could fire us up into the top half.”

Highworth host Reading in the Hellenic Premier tomorrow and Ritchie Saunders and Scott Lane are both back, while Kev Tate has signed after recovering from injury. Also coming in on loan is Supermarine right-sided player Elliot Knight. The Berkshire side might be lower than Highworth in the standings and have won only once in 11 league games, but Fisher is expecting a tough encounter. He added: “I watching Reading play Shrivenham about a month ago and although they lost 6-2, they weren’t a bad side. Two of their good forwards left but they have come back now and as a side they are in a false position. “I still expect to get three points but it’s not a foregone conclusion.”

We Should Have Won - 24 September

John Fisher had mixed feelings after watching his Highworth troops take a point away from Wokingham & Emmbrook in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division fixture.

The Elms outfit were off the back of two heavy defeats and managed a 0-0 draw on the road this time out, although boss Fisher felt they might have had more.

"We should have won. We should have had a penalty and we had three good chances in the second half," he said. "They had a bit more of the ball than us but they didn't create anything, whereas we created chance after chance. We would have taken a point before we started, we would have been happy with that. The players dug in and showed a lot of character and that's what you want from our side. We battled back after Tuesday but I'm disappointed not to have won it."

Fast Improvement Required - 21 September

John Fisher admits his team need to improve, and fast, if they are to pull themselves away from relegation trouble in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division.

The Elms side are currently 17th and have lost their last two league games, conceding eight goals in the process. Ahead of tomorrow’s visit to Wokingham & Emmbrook, Fisher said: “We need to pick up a bit, we’re not really functioning well at the moment.

“If we’re not careful we’ll be in a dogfight. We can’t score goals and we’re conceding goals, which isn’t a good combination. We’ve got to show some character, but I’m confident we’ll turn it round.”

Fisher is without the sidelined duo of captain Ritchie Saunders and Russell Byrne tomorrow, but Darren Smart is back from suspension.

Rested Players Ready For Cup Contest - 7 September

Highworth boss John Fisher rested a number of first team players for the club’s FA Vase game at Calne on Wednesday, and he is hoping the fresh legs will help his side pick up the victory, and the £3,000 prize money.

“This is the FA Cup so it is very important, that is for sure, and £3,200 would do a lot of good for our budget at the club,” he said in the Swindon Advertiser. “This game would have been big whenever it was played because it is a local derby, but to have it in the FA Cup adds even more pressure to the game and it means a lot more."

“I would rather be playing someone we don’t really know anything about, but Dave Turner has put a good side together that is for sure, and they have some players there who should be playing at a higher level than they are. We go into the game as the favourites because we are in a higher division, and there is no point in denying that, but it will be a tough game and we will have to be at our best to get anything out of it.”

Worthians Replay Wednesday - 3 September

Highworth will have to do it all again at Calne Town on Wednesday night in their FA Carsberg Vase first qualifying round tie after the sides were locked at 1-1 following extra time.

Highworth manager John Fisher was pleased to avoid defeat but less happy at the prospect of two games in three days, with the replay followed by a Friday night FA Cup clash with Wootton Bassett .

“Playing on the Wednesday then the Friday will take a lot out of the players, I would have been much happier if the game had been on Tuesday,” he said. “The Vase is a great competition and we would love to do well in it, but the money available for the FA Cup means that is perhaps more important. But all in all we were pleased with the draw because it was an even game. We had a few chances and we could have won, but equally they probably had more of the possession, so I think a draw was right.”

Wiltshire Progress - 31 August

Highworth entertain Calne in the FA Carlsberg Vase at the Elms and manager John Fisher is targeting progress at the expense of their Wiltshire rivals.

“It’s a cup competition that you have a realistic chance of doing well in, it’s a tall order but it can be done,” said Fisher, who expects Richie Saunders and Johnny Aitkenhead to return. “You just need a little bit of luck and to get the right draw.”

Memory Lapse - 17 August

Highworth manager John Fisher is hoping Binfield’s collective memory is short as he hopes to avoid a backlash tomorrow.

The Elms side put 12 goals past Binfield in two games at the end of last season, which included a 6-0 drubbing in the Challenge Cup final.

Fisher was not in charge at that point with Dave Webb presiding over the victories, and the former is wary of the wounded animal ahead of tomorrow’s Hellenic Premier fixture.

“That’s their team talk done right there. I’ll take a point now,” said Fisher, who is without unavailable midfielder Chris Flanagan. “The good thing is we have only got two lads left from those games, so they will not treat it any different. Binfield haven’t had the best of starts but they are a top-six side.”

Only In It For The Money - 10 August

The magic of the FA Cup couldn’t be any further from the mind of John Fisher when he sends his Highworth side into battle on Sunday afternoon.

Highworth host Corsham at the Elms in the FA Cup with Budweiser extra preliminary round (3pm), with the match taking place on the second day of the weekend to avoid a clash with cricket.

But Fisher (left) has his eyes firmly fixed on the £750 his side will receive if they beat the Western League outfit, rather than the romance of victory in the world-famous competition.

He comments in the Swindon Advertiser “We’re only in it for the money and most sides at our level are. If there’s no money in it, teams wouldn’t go into it because at the end of the day it can mess your season up. It’s a distraction. If you want to go on your league then you don’t want to be winning four or five rounds in the FA Cup. It’s a great competition for the likes of us, but only to make money. The money isn’t what it used to be, but it helps. You need to be making the third round to make a real dent.”

Fisher is hoping Darren Smart will be available again following the birth of his new baby boy, after the central midfielder missed the opening-day 2-1 Hellenic Premier defeat at Newbury.

Successful Tournament - 13 June

Highworth Town Football Club hosted their 20th Junior 6 a side tournament last weekend and had 204 teams enter.

There were teams entered from Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset and even as far as Wales. The Tournament is run from Under 7's through to Under 16's, this year a Ladies Tournament was included as well. In total over 1600 children and ladies were involved playing football. This was another great achievement for Highworth Town FC and secretary Fraser Haines expressed his thanks on behalf of the club to all the helpers and sponsors who assisted over a very long weekend.