JOHN Fisher is praying Highworth Town’s match away at Newbury goes ahead on Saturday in order to give his players a tune up before next weekend’s big FA Vase clash.

Highworth’s game at home to Tytherington Rocks in the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup last weekend was called off due to a waterlogged pitch and, with more wet weather predicted, Fisher hopes Newbury’s Faraday Road ground does not suffer a similar fate.

Fisher’s troops have not played since thrashing Shrivenham 4-0 at home on December 27.

The Highworth chief thinks it would be too long a break if they do not play again before the visit of Southern Counties East side Tunbridge Wells on Saturday week, where a place in the FA Vase fifth round is up for grabs.

“A couple of the lads played last Sunday so they haven’t missed out, but I just hope the game is on,” said Fisher, whose team are set to host third-placed Flackwell Heath in the league on Tuesday.

“We need to get a game in our legs – that’s my main priority before the Vase game.

“We’ve trained but there is no substitute for playing games. At this level if you go two weeks without a game then you do drop off. It’s not dramatic but it does happen.”

Should the game go ahead Highworth will start as strong favourites to pick up three points at Newbury, who have won just one of their last nine league matches and are fifth from bottom in the table.

Highworth’s recent cup exploits has seen them fall off the pace in the league and Fisher believes defeat on Saturday would make a title challenge impossible.

“The three points are crucial to keep us in the race,” said Fisher, who has a full-strength squad to pick from this weekend.

“If we lose I think that will blow our chances of finishing in the top two but I’ve told the lads that if we put a run together I’m sure we can still be a threat.

“Being in all these cups is nice but every season you go out to win the league. That’s my main priority but it’s a tall order. You have to pick up points against the bottom sides but we won’t be taking anything for granted.”

Second from bottom Shrivenham will look for a first league win since mid-November when they entertain Oxford City Nomads.

Wootton Bassett Town are without a fixture for the second weekend in a row.

THIS weekend's Swindon & District League and Swindon Sunday League programmes look likely to be decimated, with several council-owned venues already ruling out the prospect of matches.

Shrewsbury Road , Penhill Rec, Moredon Rec, Southbrook Rec and Mannington Rec have already been declared waterlogged, postponing a large number of fixtures in the two leagues this weekend.