HELLENIC LEAGUE: Crunch time for Fisher and Highworth (From Swindon Advertiser)

HELLENIC LEAGUE: Crunch time for Fisher and Highworth

6:00am Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport By Ned Payne

JOHN Fisher says it’s make or break time for Highworth as they look to pull away from relegation trouble in the Hellenic Premier.

Only goal difference separates Highworth from the bottom four and manager 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 strugglers, 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.”

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

Elsewhere, Shrivenham could do Highworth a favour and at the same time boost their own survival hopes if they can take victory against Holyport at the Rec.

Shrivvy boss Mark Stevens believes tomorrow is a game his team can realistically triumph in, but warned that Holyport will have no shortage of motivation themselves.

“They have played more games than us and they are one of the teams that are catchable, so hopefully we can get our season started,” said Stevens.

“It’s a game we class as winnable and it’s a massive three points if we can get it.

“For them it’s a chance for them to distance themselves from us, so they will be as up for it as we are.

“We’ve got to look to keep it nice and tight and then we’ll go from there.”

Shrivvy are without Michael Scarff (pulled arm muscle) while Stevens is waiting on the availability of Nathan Fowler.