JOHN Fisher doesn’t expect Highworth’s Floodlit Cup trip to Cheltenham Saracens to be on tonight, but if the rain does hold off he’s intent on fielding a full strength side - even in a competition he sees as ‘a cup too many’.

With the Worthians’ form having finally picked up following a miserable September and October, Fisher hopes that progression to the quarter-finals will help maintain momentum ahead of a hectic, tricky-looking December schedule.

“It’s another game where we want to get a win under our belt,” he said. “Winning becomes a habit and losing becomes a habit. We seem to have turned that little corner now. The signs are good, team spirits are good, camaraderie is good.

“Everybody felt we should have won on Saturday (at Thame), which is great.”

That come-from-behind 2-2 draw lifted Highworth a step closer to hauling themselves out of the Hellenic Premier Division relegation zone. And with four games in hand over Reading Town, the side immediately above them, Fisher expects his side to start climbing the table.

It is therefore somewhat surprising that he doesn’t consider the journey to Cheltenham for a cup match a nuisance.

Fisher said: “Sometimes playing in the cup gives you a bit of a break and it’s something to look forward to. We’re not too bothered about not having a league game.”

“I’m quite looking forward to it - if it’s on.”

Despite thumping their opponents 4-1 earlier in the season, Cheltenham - whose leading hotshot Ethan Moore has netted 22 times in all competitions - will provide a stern test.

But Fisher expects the level of competition to bring the best out of his charges.

“It’s going to be difficult down there,” he admited.”They knock it around quite well and are good going forward. We’re not that brilliant at the back so we’ll have to be on our toes.”

“But I’d rather be playing the top sides as it brings the best out of every player, like against Witney who we beat 1-0 recently.”