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Southern League preview: Highworth Town vs Thatcham Town

Southern League preview: Highworth Town vs Thatcham Town

Daniel Lewis21 Sep 2018 - 20:30
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Next up for the Kingfishers is a testing visit to The Elm where they face Highworth Town this Saturday (Kick-off 3:00 pm)

Thatcham Town manager Danny Robinson expects to “go to hell and back” during Saturday’s Southern League clash with Highworth Town at The Elm.

Highworth have so far enjoyed a fine start to their 2018/19 campaign, recording two wins and eight points in total.

The Kingfishers are also filled with optimism after new signing George Jeacock bagged a hat-trick in the visitors’ 3-2 victory over Barnstaple Town in their last fixture.

But Thatcham boss Robinson believes his side will face a similar, difficult encounter to those between the clubs in previous seasons within the Hellenic League:

“We know them from old, obviously doing battle with them over the last few seasons in the Hellenic League,” said Robinson.

“They started off this season very, very well so to go over there and take a positive result, we’re going to have to, at times, go to hell and back.”

Although the hosts drew their last fixture 2-2 away to Street, the Thatcham manager is very aware of the attacking threat his opponents bring.

"They’re a very, very good side.

"Whenever you play against Highworth you know you’re in for a game. They’ve got some fabulous players over there and have done for the course of this year."

Ekow Elliot will miss the fixture for the visitors as he continues to recover from an injury picked up three weeks ago.

The Worthians, however, received a boost to their squad after announcing the signing of Ashan Holgate during the week with the player fit for Saturday's game.

Flashback: A look at previous ties between the sides

A rivalry between the two clubs has developed after four seasons competing towards the top of the Hellenic League. Andy Morris takes a look at recent games between the two teams.

Last season, Highworth won their opening 13 league games but the incredible form of Thatcham and Bracknell saw them slip to third by the end of the season. This position was still enough to secure their place in the Southern League alongside the Kingifshers and Robins.

On April 16th, following several postponements, Thatcham won 2-0 at The Elms to clinch promotion. After a close first-half Town threw the proverbial kitchen sink at the Worthians and had a man advantage after Rory Sproule was shown his second yellow card of the game. After countless near misses it seemed it wouldn’t be the visitors night, Liam Ferdinand made the vitsal breakthrough, firing home a loose ball from inside the box in added time. Moments later the win was confirmed after Ferdinand added his second of the game.

Last October Highworth had maintained their winning start to the season at Waterside Park. In a tight first-half Chris Rackley saved a penalty, then Joe Blount shot the Kingfishers ahead. But Wayne Turk headed an equalise just before the break. Highworth controlled the second period with Aysa Corrick’s goal on the hour earning them a 2-1 win.

In 2016/17 Highworth took an early two-goal lead at Waterside Park through the prolific Ashley Edenborough. Josh Helmore pulled one back on the hour, but in the closing minutes James Tennant and Helmore fired late goals to secure a 3-2 home win.

The return fixture in December saw Thatcham win 3-1 in Wiltshire with Josh Helmore, Shane Cooper-Clark and James Tennant scoring.

In 2015/16 two Michael Mealing goals helped the Kingfishers to a 2-1 away win, while a brace from Cooper-Clark earned a 2-0 home win as Thatcham completed the double.

However, Highworth completed the double over Town in the 2014/15 season. Mark Hughes gave Thatcham the lead at Waterside Park but Highworth recovered to win 2-1. Meanwhile Alex Oakman scored Thatcham’s consolation in a 4-1 away defeat.

Join us in cheering on the Kingfishers at The Elm Recreational Ground at 3:00pm this Saturday!

Further reading