Match 26. Highworth Town v Tadcaster Albion

Saturday 28^th February 2015 @3pm

FA Vase Quarter Final

HIGHWORTH TOWN 1-1(aet) TADCASTER ALBION

The Elms, A361, Highworth, Swindon

Admission: £7 (special increase for FA Vase. Usually £5)

Programme: £1

Attendance: 771

Refreshments: King Brain Cider, £1.50 (1/2). Guinness, £3.20. Burger, £2.40. Mini Cheddars & Mars bar, £1.30

I wasn’t sure if I was going to attend this match as the family were making noises about shopping in Southampton, but their mind was changed with a little persuasion so I dropped them off at Reading just after 1pm and drove to Highworth, arriving about 2.15 and parked to the south of the ground and trekked across some junior pitches to the gap in the fence known as the 2^nd turnstile.  The main entrance is to the north corner but parking that end was at a premium. Still I had paid my £7 and got a programme and walked around to the clubhouse the opposite end. This a basically a 3 sided railed pitch with a wooden fence and dugouts on the open 4^th side where the cricket pitch is beyond.  The hard standing is available behind both goals and the 3 covered areas are on the east touchline. Two are seated and one is standing.  Nearly 800 crammed into this tiny ground for the biggest match in Highworth Town history.  About 220-250 fans arrived from Yorkshire and all behaved themselves throughout despite copious amounts of alcohol consumed.

The teams lined up and Highworth decided to kick down the obvious slope in the first half.  The away side certainly were all broad shouldered and mostly 6 foot plus so would have a physical presence and would not have looked out of place as a Rugby League side (-2). Indeed the pitch and windy conditions favoured the egg chasing but both sides put on a tense but thrilling show. The Tadcaster style was to mainly pump long balls to the strikers and wingers to stretch the home defence whereas Highworth preferred using the midfield and shorter balls unless necessary.  The first big chance fell to Tadcaster but with the striker one on one with the keeper, the ball was smothered at his feet. Highworth scored just before half time when a powerful shot was saved by the keeper and rebound slotted in but the flag was raised for offside.

The clubhouse and hot drinks queue was packed at half time so I and about 25 others sloped out next door to the Rose & Crown for half time refreshments.

Highworth were given a penalty on the hour when No10 Parsons got to the ball between defender and keeper and was illegally sandwiched in the area.  No9 Bohane scored from the spot.  Tadcaster got back in it about 25 minutes into the half when they were awarded their own penalty for handball and Ward converted to level the score. The rain started to fall and 2 goalmouth scrambles couldn’t add to the score and the game entered into extra time.  Highworth had more chances in the extra 30 minutes but Tadcaster had the best chance right at the end when a cross was backheaded onto the cross bar.  Battle resumes in Yorkshire next Saturday.