AFTER a tense Saturday afternoon at The Elms, fans of Highworth Town FC are still confident their team can make it to Wembley.

Following a 1-1 draw with Tadcaster, there will be a replay next Saturday and it is hoped several coachloads of fans will make the trip to Yorkshire. Should they make the final, they will play at the iconic home of football.

Saturday’s match was a quarter final in the FA Vase and, with almost 800 fans in attendance, it was the biggest game in the club’s history.

Chairman Rohan Haines said the revenue generated will secure the future of the club for years to come.

He said: “First of all it’s put Highworth Football Town on the map and you have a lot of people talking about us, which is great, and financially it’s superb. This run has probably set us up for the next couple of years. “This crowd here of 771 today was superb and hopefully we can take a few coaches up next week and have another go. It’s massive for the club to see people of all age ranges here. We merged with our juniors in 2007 and we now run 28 junior sides, and it was great to see them involved today as ball boys and mascots.”

As kick-off neared, the ground quickly filled with Highworth Fans, many watching the team for the first time. Several dozen fans from Tadcaster also made the long trip, ensuring a lively atmosphere.

It was a tense match and both sides had good chances but in the end a penalty for each side means they will have to do it all over again.

Fred and Cath Harman have followed Highworth for more than 70 years.

Fred, 85, said: “It was a great game. I wish we had won obviously but we’ll go up there and win anyway. I thought they were going to win it toward the end.

“I have never seen the Elms this full. We had a big crowd when we played Salisbury in the cup one year but this has been the one. It’s great to see it so full, which will have also brought in good money.It was good to see so many young fans taking an interest.

Cath, 76, said: “I’m sure we’ll win and then go and get another big crowd in the next round.”