HELLENIC LEAGUE: Highworth play waiting game (From Swindon Advertiser)

HELLENIC LEAGUE: Highworth play waiting game

10:00am Friday 27th January 2012 in Football By Andy Warren

Highworth Town will end a two-week fixture drought when they take on Wantage Town in the Hellenic League Premier Division tomorrow.

Dave Webb’s side have not been in action since beating Warminster Town 4-3 in a thrilling Wiltshire Senior Cup tie, and they have been left frustrated as their attempts to organise a friendly fixture to fill the gap were ruined by the weather.

Webb is hoping his side will not show any rustiness when they travel to the Vale of the White Horse, but knows they will be in for a tough game.

“It is very strange not having played for so long, especially at this stage of the season, and you do not expect to have that long without a match. We have trained a bit, but it is not the same.

“The players have obviously had a bit of a rest, but we would rather be playing every Saturday.

“Before the break we were on a very good run, and we need to keep that going.”

Wantage won the league last season but were not promoted due planning problems at their Alfredian Park ground, and are now stuck in the bottom half of the table.

Webb is certain they are in a false position and expects them to rise up the table, but hopes their resurgence will start after Saturday’s match.

“They are the league champions, and a lot of people tend to forget that,” he said.

“They still have a lot of the same players as they did before, and pose a real threat.

“They have played in a few cups and got a bit behind in their league games which didn’t really help them, but they are certainly in a false position.

“We will not underestimate them though, and we know we face a very tough game.”

It is set to go from one extreme to another for Highworth with games coming thick and fast in February, and Webb knows it will make or break his side’s season.

“We are playing Saturdays and midweek for a lot of that time,” he said. “And that is bound to take it out of us.

“By the end of the month we should know what we can expect for the rest of the season, and if we are going to challenge we need to pick up as many points as possible.”

Elsewhere in the division Fairford visit Binfield, while John Fisher’s Shrivenham take on Thame United.