THERE is still hope for both sets of fans who packed the Elms on Saturday to watch Highworth Town’s FA Vase semi-final match against North Shields.

Around 1,200 supporters watched the tie, which finished 1-0 to the visitors, knowing the winner over two legs will get to play at Wembley.

There was a lively atmosphere from start to finish with the result meaning both sides have a good chance of emerging victorious.

North Shields brought 250 fans with them, who packed the pubs before kick-off and were in fine voice throughout the game.

Highworth chairman Rohan Haines, who shook hands with many of the opposition fans after the game, said despite the result, the match was a memorable occasion.

“It was a sell-out game which was fantastic,” he said.

“You don’t get many days like this in your life. For us as Highworth Town, a small club, to get days like this is superb.

“Even if we get an extra 20 or 30 people every Saturday from this then that’s a big difference, which is great for the club and makes us a fair bit of money in the long term.

“There was a great atmosphere. From the North Shields side, they brought some fantastic fans who were very vocal.

“We are going to go there next week and we might be outnumbered five or six to one but we’ve got a chance. We are definitely taking two coach loads but that may be more now because we are still in the tie.”

For the fans, many felt the result could easily have gone Highworth’s way but said the whole community would benefit from the match.

Fred Harman, 84, who has been watching Highworth Town for more than 70 years, said: “It’s great to see the Elms so full. This is great for the club and for the town. It was like a league game at times but would have been better if we were taking a one goal lead to them.

“We were unlucky. I think we had the same share of the game as they did but they got the goal so there you are. We’re going up for the second leg so I hope we can get something.”

The second leg will be played at North Shields next Saturday.

 

All quiet but for minor scuffle

With several hundred away fans travelling down for the big match, security was high and there was a small police presence.
However, Wiltshire Police said from their perspective the game passed without incident.
There was a delay to the start of the second half after a North Shields fan fell and hit his head.
Due to the man’s medical history, paramedics were called and he was taken to the Great Western Hospital as a precaution.
A minor scuffle took place between a handful of fans in the clubhouse during the interval as well but this was dealt with by the stewards.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “As far as we are concerned today passed as planned. 
“We had a few officers here as a precaution but the fans were well behaved and there was a good atmosphere.”