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Match Reports
Wickham Wanderers (Home - 2nd September 2007 ). We started the season with the visit from the league champions. In a really hard fought first 15 minutes Wickham gained the advantage with a fortunate own goal. The game continued in the same way until right on the stroke of half time Wickham went 2 -0 up. From the restart Highworth fought hard but only to fall further behind despite MILLER in goal pulling off a double save 3-0. This only seemed to inspire Highworth with FRENCH and BERRY hitting the woodwork. Finally their work rate paid off when SIMPSON found the net with a 25 yard free kick 3-1. Highworth were then caught twice as they pushed hard. Final score 1-5 . (keep your heads up boys this result wasn’t a true reflection on the game) .
Stratton Juniors (Away - 9th September 2007). Tough first 15 minutes with MILLER keeping us in the game. Then FRENCH giving us the lead at the second attempt 1-0. Stratton pushed gained a deserved equaliser 1-1. PAONE was brought on with immediate effect slotting home with a nice finish 2-1. Just before half time SIMPSON cracked in from 25 yards making it 3-1 at half time. Highworth went into overdrive from the restart with GARRETT claiming 2 goals ,FRENCH 1, KINSEY 1, making it a safe 7-1. STRATTON pulled back one 7-2 when MILLER got caught up in a spiders web. But Highworth finished stronger with BERRY scoring with a nice chip 8-2 (fine effort from all the boys ).
Coleshill Juniors (Home - 16th September 2007) (bragging rights at stake here, don’t let me down ). Hard fought first 10 minutes until the hard working FEDAI scored 1-0. Then MILLER pulled of a fine save tipping onto the bar (no spider this week). Highworth pushed hard but Coleshill equalised 1-1. Half time, right from the off Highworth pushed on with the Coleshill keeper in great form. Eventually their dominance paid off when SIMPSON scoring from a corner. With SHELLY ,MISTRY ,DODSON and TAYLOR now really on their game in defence, their was only ever one outcome BODMAN scored from yet another good corner. Then BERRY scored with a header making it 4-1. With CATON-GARRETT making his debut in the second half a good day for the boys .(well done boys fifth in the league keep it up)
Cricklade Youth (Away - 30th September 2007) Highworth started quite brightly with FRENCH scoring off a defender 1-0, shortly afterwards went 2-0 up when KINSEY netted (we won’t mention the one that went wide 2 minutes earlier). Things looking rosy as SIMPSON heading in another good corner 3-0. Just before the break Cricklade grab a consolation goal 3-1 at half- time. Shortly after the break Cricklade score again 3-2 , then within 5minutes they score again 3-3. Then they only go and do it again to get the lead 4-3 to Cricklade (did i mention something about a consolation goal). This wasn’t looking good, but with BERRY and SIMPSON battling their socks off and MILLER playing as a sweeper we were not gonna concede again. The final 15 minutes were frantic (I hope I have got this bit right). FRENCH equalised at the second attempt to make it 4-4. Then PAONE put us in front with a nice finish 4-5, soon after that strike GARRETT scored a good goal 4-6. To cap it off FRENCH scored with a classy finish to complete his hat- trick making it 7-4 for a Highworth win . (Entertaining for the neutral but not for your grey haired manager. Very poor defending today lads, BUT credit to the boys for battling back. Showed good character well done)
Fendale Rodbourne (Home - 21st October 2007) Made a very slow start within 15 minutes, we were 2-0 down. In between these goals there was an effort from BODMAN (which was cleared from BEHIND the line) I mean off the line. Despite creating numerous chances we fell further behind 3-0, just before half -time we pulled one back when BERRY nipped in and stabbed home from 6 yards 3-1 GAME ON. After starting the second half slowly Highworth built up a head of steam firstly BERRY heading in from a good TAYLOR free kick. Then SIMPSON netting with a 25 yard shot courtesy of some dodgy keeping 3-3. Within minutes of the restart we conceded again 3-4, WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO ME. Then BERRY broke free and with only the keeper to beat from 8 yards (fell over with the aid of two feet and a push in the back) PENALTY.... NO !!!!!! He clearly dived when it was easier to score, to make matters worse Ferndale added another 3-5. Despite all their efforts final score 3-5. THEY FINISHED THIRD LAST SEASON. TAKE HEART BOYS - THE FUTURES BRIGHT THE FUTURES GREEN, and by the way the ref and me are best mates and I’m invited to his bar-b-que next week.
Lydiard Youth FC (Away - 4th November 2007) The game started ok, with FEDAI scoring from close range 1-0. Then we seemed to lose our way unable to put two passes together, soon they equalised with an unfortunate own goal, 1-1. The game became more and more scrappy but we still managed to score from GARRETT, 2-1 HALF-TIME. The second half carried on much the same very poor. We missed lots of good chances and a few more. Were we trying to throw away 3 points. Then, with about 5 mins left some slack marking let their forward curl one from 25 yards but for MILLER to pull off a fine save. Then with one minute left, SIMPSON cracked in a 30 yard screamer 3-1. Our poorest performance so far. But 3 points, was it the 2 week break or did we let them drag us down to their level ? A game to forget.
Pewsham Youth - League Cup (Home - 11th November 2007) After an ok start we took the lead from a good BERRY corner which SIMPSON met with a header perfectly 1-0. From then on PEWSHAM worked their socks off, every opportunity we created they stopped with GREAT determination. Any problem they caused us the other end was sorted out by the alert MILLER, HALF-TIME 1-0. The second half was much the same with MILLER giving a very impressive display of how to concentrate in goal for a whole game, ( I will remember this William a very mature performance). The other end PEWSHAM stopped us with some strong defending until KINSEY finished from a good SIMPSON ball. 2-0 FULL -TIME. NOT OUR BEST....... BUT CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE ....... THROUGH TO THE NEXT ROUND..... come on boys where’s the passing and moving gone ? If William’s having a good game the balls at the wrong end and this means I’m getting greyer. I will have to start wearing a hat.
Stratton A (Home - 18th November 2007) A cold and horrible day. A tough fixture. The first 15 minutes were a bit of a midfield battle, then from a corner that broke out of the box SIMPSON fired in low shot 1-0. The midfield battle continued until Stratton equalised with an own goal from a corner 1-1. With half-time approaching the referee allowed play to continue with a Highworth player led injured in midfield. Stratton only went and scored 1-2 well that’s another person off my xmas list. The second half turned into quite a battle. With about 15 minutes left BODMAN came out with what I can only describe as..... no I can’t describe what he did. But the ball ended up hitting the cross bar when it dropped BERRY was there to fire it home 2-2. The remainder of the game was a good honest battle, which I think we were the better side. Final score 2-2.
TODAY PROVED WE CAN ROLE UP OUR SLEEVES AND BATTLE - A WELL EARNED POINT WELL DONE
Shaw A (Away - 25th November 2007) We started the game well. After about 5 minutes SIMPSON sent BERRY through, he chipped the keeper to make it 1-0. Highworth carried on making all the running playing some good football. Soon enough TAYLOR crashed in a free kick 2-0. Highworth carried on much the same way for the rest of the first half limiting Shaw to a total of “no shots” (one way traffic I think ). The second half was quite strange, although we had lots of chances the good football went out the window. Still with about 10 minutes left PAONE followed in a shot to score the third, 3-0. FINAL SCORE 3-0 Another three points and for half a game some good football. To limit your opponents to about 3 shots is a job well done.
South Cerney (Home - 2nd December 2007) The game started with the wind and rain causing havoc. After 10 minutes Cerney took advantage of some sloppy defending to go one up 0-1. After this the game became a farce as the wind and hailstones took control. With this the ref took the sensible option and ordered the players to the changing rooms for tea and cake. The break seemed to do Highworth some good when play resumed they started to press harder with the persistent EDWARDS scoring from close range 1-1. Then within 5 minutes SIMPSON scored with a 20 yard shot, cross ,shot cross shot cross ???, well it went in 2-1. HALF-TIME 2-1. The second half was much of the same muddy ,wet ,windy , with neither side really creating too much. With about 10 minutes left EDWARDS added another from inside the box FINAL SCORE 3-1. NOT TOO MUCH CAN BE SAID ABOUT A GAME DOMINATED BY THE WEATHER, BUT CREDIT TO THEM FOR GETTING ANOTHER THREE POINTS.
Pewsham Youth (Home - 9th December 2007) Game started evenly on what can only be described as a PLOUGHED FIELD. Then after 15 minutes Highworth took the lead from close in by GARRETT,1-0. Within 5 minutes it was 2-0 ,when EDWARDS scored after a smart pass by BERRY. But Pewsham battled back to reduce the score-line with a good finish 2-1. HALF-TIME 2-1. The second half was a much improved performance, after about 5 minutes FRENCH ran in to make it 3-1. Then within minutes FRENCH made it 4-1. 5 minutes later FRENCH lobbed the keeper to make it 5-1 HAT-TRICK. By now Highworth were making lots of chances with GARRETT making it 6-1 from a good FRENCH cross. With 5 minutes left FEDAI made it 7-1 scoring from an impossible angle [ IT REALLY WAS ]. I don’t know how he did it!!! FINAL SCORE 7-1. Well done when you consider the pitch. There was some good passing football played today and all the boys worked hard.
Sratton Youth (AWAY - 6th January 2008) Started quite brightly after 15 minutes we took the lead with EDWARDS hitting home from about 10 yards. After this Stratton created the better chances in the remainder of a hard fought first half. HALF TIME 1-0, The second half was all Stratton with MILLER making some good saves to keep Highworth in the match. Finally in time added on Stratton equalised. FINAL SCORE 1-1 HARD FOUGHT POINT WITH A VERY RUSTY PERFORMANCE. THEY WERE FASTER, SHARPER, AND LOOKED HUNGRIER, WITH THE HARD FIXTURES COMING UP WE WILL NEED TO IMPROVE
Wickham Wanderers (AWAY - 27th January 2008) Game started brightly with Kinsey almost finishing off a good move. A very even battle until after 20 minutes the home side taking the lead 0-1. Showing good character Highworth fought back with French scoring from a good berry cross 1-1. Then within 2 minutes French was sent through after some good interplay from Simpson, Berry and Edwards, only for their keeper to make a good save. The half carried on with Highworth more than holding their own with Bodman, Taylor ,Dodson and Mistry defending well. Half time 1-1. The second half started badly for Highworth conceding two quick goals despite Miller saving well on both occasions. Wickham were the first to respond both times. Highworth came back with Paone scoring a great goal after, not for the first time, totally out pacing their defence 2-3. Then after some tinkering by the Manager Highworth quickly conceded goals despite some fine saves by Miller. Final score 2-7.
I feel this was a totally false reflection on a game where Highworth for at last half or more matched the league leaders. First half everyone of the boys were great. and Mr Paone when he came on ran their defence ragged. I believe my bad tactical decisions ( the way I made changes ) cost us dearly - well done boys , sack the Manager
Stratton Juniors B (HOME - 3rd February 2008) If the goals are not in the right order, I do apologise, but it was quite hard to keep track. Within 10 minutes we took the lead after a smart turn and shot from BERRY 1-0. Soon PAONE made it 2-0 from close in, BERRY got his second 3-0. EDWARDS made it 4-0 with PAONE rounding the keeper to make it 5-0. KINSEY scored from a nice PAONE pass 6-0. BERRY got his hat-trick 7-0 Just before the half time whistle EDWARDS made it 8-0. Second half was much the same with FRENCH scoring quickly 9-0. FRENCH struck again outpacing their defence to make it 10-0. GARRETT fired in to make it 11-0.
Some good personal performances and a good team effort WELL DONE EVERYONE
Wootton Bassett Town (AWAY - 10th February 2008) Cup. In a hard fought first 15 minutes Bassett took the lead 0-1, despite Highworth having most of the play in the Bassett half we went in at half time 0-1. Second half started poorly conceding two goals quickly from long balls over the top 0-3. Then conceded another in the same way 0-4. On each occasion MILLER was left one on one with the striker. At this point you would have thought the worst but we rolled up our sleeves and attacked. The battling EDWARDS hitting a great effort just over the bar, then GARRETT firing in 1-4. Next PAONE had a shot saved and TAYLOR had a free kick saved. BERRY had one saved from close in and FRENCH had a header saved We huffed and puffed but lost 1- 4. MAY HAVE LOST BUT , NOT DISGRACED, EVERY ONE BATTLED HARD WELL DONE
Cricklade Youth (Home - 17th February 2008) We started very brightly with BODMAN scoring from the box 1-0. Highworth dominated throughout the pitch, this game was going only one way. Soon EDWARDS made it 2-0. Only some good goal keeping kept the score down with Cricklade’s keeper saving from EDWARDS, TAYLOR, PAONE, BERRY, KINSEY, FEDAI AND SIMPSON. BERRY hit the bar, as did EDWARDS, it was one way traffic, EDWARDS fired in from about 25 yards 3-0. HALF-TIME, the second half was much the same, with Highworth’s defence barely letting Cricklade in our half, contributing with some good build up play. FEDAI fired in to make it 4-0. GARRETT scored 5-0. Once again one way traffic. FEDAI got his second 6-0. SIMPSON got number seven. FINAL SCORE 7-0.
GOOD PERFORMANCE ALL ROUND WITH A LITTLE MORE PASSING WOULD HAVE WON BY MORE... WELL DONE, WILL BE A MUCH HARDER GAME NEXT WEEK.
Ferndale Rodbourne (Away - 24th February 2008) Game started quite balanced. After 10 minutes CATON- GARRETT headed in from a corner 1-0. Within 30 seconds of the restart it was 1-1 after a rather fortunate bounce allowed the striker to beat MILLER to the ball. Even though Highworth did create a couple of good chances we were getting run ragged by the two Ferndale forwards. Despite BODMAN putting in a very good first half performance, Ferndale added 3 more goals to go in at half time 1-4. The second half was a better performance only conceding 1 more goal despite the best efforts from a much improved TAYLOR. Result 1-5.
STRANGE GAME TODAY ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF TEAM LOOKED REALLY OUT OF SORTS. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME HEADS DROPPED. THE BOYS NEED TO BELIEVE IN THEM SELVES AS MUCH AS WE BELIEVE IN THEM. NEVER MIND WE CAN WRITE THIS ONE OFF AS A BAD DAY AT THE OFFICE.
Wroughton Juniors (Home - 9th March 2008) In a hard fought opening 20 minutes Highworth had some long range efforts from BODMAN, SIMPSON, BERRY and EDWARDS, and with the excellent MILLER in goal things were looking good. But we had a mad two minutes firstly conceding a soft goal then another straight after making it 0-2. Highworth then switched back on again and up to half time the game was pretty even. The second half was again quite a battle with whatever Wroughton threw at Highworth MILLER stopped, until about 15 minutes from time when a shot that looked to be going wide went in off the post. Highworth never stopped competing and attacking without any joy. FINAL SCORE 0-3. I CANNOT FAULT THE TEAM TODAY EVERYONE COMPETED AND I THINK THE SCORE LINE WAS NOT A TRUE REFLECTION ON THE GAME. I DON’T LIKE TO PICK OUT INDIVIDUALS BUT WILLIAM WAS OUTSTANDING IN GOAL AND THE LADS WHO PLAYED CARRYING KNOCKS DESERVE CREDIT TODAY.
Stratton Juniors A (Away - 30th March 2008) In a hard fought opening 15 minutes Highworth created the better chances only to go 1-0 down to a header from inside the box. Normally going one down against the league leaders and playing with only TEN PLAYERS you would fear the worst. BUT, within 5 minutes EDWARDS skilfully made space and then fired in to make it 1-1. Then within 5 minutes BERRY sent over a nicely placed corner which SIMPSON headed in to make it 2-1, yes 2-1 to the ten men. HALF TIME 2-1, TWO- ONE, 2-1, the second half was a right old battle with MILLER doing everything asked of him. KINSEY, BODMAN, TAYLOR and MISTRY defending well. A midfield of FRENCH, BERRY, SIMPSON and EDWARDS battling their socks off with PAONE making the Stratton defence panic. We were not going to lose in fact we looked more likely to score. Right at the end MILLER pulled off a good save and TAYLOR made a fantastic tackle in his own penalty box. FINAL SCORE A GREAT WIN 2-1 CAN’T PRAISE THE BOYS ENOUGH TODAY. EVERYONE OF THEM GAVE 100 PERCENT. OUT FOUGHT THEIR OPPONENTS AND AT TIMES OUTPLAYED THEM. WHICH TEAM HAD TEN MEN ??????
Coleshill Juniors (Away - 12th April 2008) Despite having the ball in and around the Coleshill area for most of the half every attempt on goal was dealt with by the home keeper. In the second half it was much of the same and it was no surprise when the final score was 0-0 .CANT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE FROM OUR LAST GAME. WE TODAY FOR MOST OF THE GAME LACKED THE DESIRE TO WIN. IT SEEMED THAT WE KNEW WE COULD WIN BUT WERE NOT PREPARED TO PUT THE USUAL EFFORT IN TO DO IT , OH WELL EVERYONE CAN HAVE AN OFF DAY.
Stratton Youth (Home - 15th April 2008) End to end for the first quarter with a lot of hard tackles and few shots in a very competitive game. Then TAYLOR hit in a free kick which SIMPSON headed in for 1-0 lead. BERRY had a couple of long range efforts which went over the bar. Right on half time MILLER pulled off a good save from a free kick. HALF TIME 1- 0. Second half started well with PAONE adding a second from close range 2- 0. With the whole team out battling and out playing STRATTON, things got better EDWARDS made it 3-0 from a good BERRY through ball. After some great one two’s involving CATON, GARRETT, FEDAI, EDWARDS and SIMPSON. BERRY slotted in from close range 4-0. This was game over. We even got treated to some Brazilian magic by MILLER!! Well sort of Brazilian and sort of magic.
FINAL SCORE 4-0. A VERY GOOD, HARD WORKING PERFORMANCE. THE WHOLE TEAM BATTLED CAN’T PRAISE THE BOYS ENOUGH IF THEY WERE MORE CONSISTENT WE WOULD BE RIGHT UP THERE.
South Cerney (Away - 20th April 2008) The first 20 minutes of game HIGHWORTH were slightly better without creating anything much to speak about. Then South Cerney had a goal disallowed for offside (surely this would spark us into life). Within a minute from 5 yards out GARRETT scored 1-0. HALF TIME 1-0. The second half was better as at last we were creating chances. Their keeper making saves from PAONE, FRENCH, BERRY, SIMPSON and EDWARDS. Then a break through, from a corner BODMAN made it 2-0 with a smart header. With about 10 minutes left BERRY made it 3-0 with a shot from outside the box, only their keeper knows how it went in. FINAL SCORE 3-0 NOT ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES BUT TO WIN WHILE NOT PLAYING THAT WELL IS A GOOD THING. WILL NEED TO IMPROVE WITH HARD GAMES COMING UP THIS WEEK
Wootton Bassett (Home - 22nd April 2008) In a well contested first half Highworth battled hard and restricted the visitors to few chances. EDWARDS headed just over bar and BERRY had two long range efforts saved. Just before half time BASSETT took the lead with a nice finish. HALF TIME 0-1. My apologies but the second half was a bit of a blur. We became very hesitant in defence and conceded 3 quick goals. Then another from the penalty spot which MILLER was very unlucky not to save. FINAL SCORE 0-5 BATTLED HARD FIRST HALF. TO COMPETE AGAINST THE TOP TEAMS WE NEED TO DO IT FOR THE WHOLE GAME. I HOPE WE LEARN BECAUSE WE HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE IN THE LAST GAME OF THE SEASON COME ON LADS.
Shaw FC (Home - 24th April 2008) Not present at game due to work commitments which we lost 0-2. GOING ON WHAT I WAS TOLD A VERY LACKLUSTRE PERFORMANCE IN WHICH THE REF DIDN’T TURN UP AND NEITHER DID WE.
Pewsham Youth (Away - 27th APRIL 2008) After only 5 minutes GARRETT fired in from close range 1-0. Within another 5 minutes it was 2-0 with another close range effort from KINSEY. Despite some chances to increase the lead we seemed determined to give goals away at the other end. Only some good keeping from MILLER prevented this happening. HALF TIME 2-0. Second half we did not heed the warning signs from the first half and kept leaving MILLER exposed. Only some fine keeping kept us 2-0 up. After failing to clear our lines again PEWSHAM scored 1-2. With about 4 minutes left PEWSHAM made it 2-2. FINAL SCORE 2-2. SIMPLY TOTALLY LACKING IN ATTACK AND SLACK IN DEFENCE. SORRY BUT YOU SET THE STANDARD AND THIS WAS A PALE SHADOW OF WHAT YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO..... WE’VE TWO GAMES LEFT, LETS SEE THAT SPIRIT BACK. AS I KEEP ON SAYING WHEN YOU ALL PUT IN 100% YOU ARE A GOOD SIDE BUT IT NEEDS 100% EFFORT.
Wroughton Juniors (Away - 29th April 2008) On a massive pitch and in awful weather against a Wroughton side still aiming to finish second or third this was a better performance. The game started off quite end to end with both sides creating chances then FRENCH put us up 1-0. But straight from the restart it was 1-1. Shortly afterwards it was 2-1 to Wroughton. HIGHWORTH battled and defended well to go in at half time 2-1 down. The second half started and straight away EDWARDS put FRENCH through to make it 2-2. It was time for some hard defending with everyone working hard but Wroughton made it 3-2 from a corner, then 4-2 shortly afterwards ANOTHER COLLAPSE .......NO Highworth battled on then with about 10 minutes left EDWARDS made it 4-3. Both sides pushed to get another but this was to be the final score. EVERYONE WORKED HARD ON A VERY BIG PITCH FROM START TO FINISH, VERY GOOD ATTITUDE WHICH MAKES YOU WONDER ..... WHAT IF THEY WERE MORE CONSISTENT ?
Wootton Bassett (Home - 4th May 2008) My team talk of “just go out there and enjoy yourselves” back fired for the first 15 minutes as we started like it was a stroll in the park. Without Bassett even threatening. Then I think the boys realised a game was being played they started to get stuck in GAME ON. Neither side really could create anything in a pretty even first half. The second half was again even with few chances, we spent a long period almost camped in their half. Then BASSETT hit the bar. We went up the other end and from a fine FEDAI ball KINSEY just shot wide. With only 5 minutes left, I’ve got to give credit where its due BASSETT’S left winger produced a brilliant piece of skill to beat the excellent BODMAN. At the time I thought goal but MILLER saved ITS GOT TO BE SAID THE SKILL OF THE BASSETT PLAYER WAS CLASS BUT SO WAS WILL’S SAVE. To be fair from then to the end of this game not a lot happened.
LAST REPORT OF THE SEASON .........FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE READ THEM ........THANKS...I WOULD LIKE TO TELL THE BOYS “YOU HAVE EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS” WITH A LITTLE WORK WE WILL BE UP THERE CHALLENGING NEXT YEAR. I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED YOURSELVES BECAUSE I SPEAK FOR GARY AS WELL AS MYSELF - YOU ARE A CRACKING BUNCH OF LADS ALL WELL MANNERED AND WHERE EVER YOU PLAY NEXT SEASON WE WISH YOU THE BEST
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