Miller's last-minute goal saves the day for Highworth (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Miller's last-minute goal saves the day for Highworth

SATURDAY'S local derby, played on a hard and uneven pitch and in a blustery wind, produced a 2-1 win for the Highworth hosts in a search for the Hellenic League Championship.

Pitch conditions in this end-of-season affair resulted in the kind of game that was provided, despite the importance of the result to both teams.

For Highworth, it was the title aim while, for Fairford, it was a desire to continue their climb up the league table.

The first half was, to a degree, unforgettable with neither keeper troubled by dangerous attempts on goal. As a result, half-time arrived with the score-sheet still blank.

In the second half, the first 15 minutes became a carbon-copy of the first half.

That all changed in the 61st minute when ex-Highworth player Gary Hill had the misfortune to put the hosts ahead with an own goal.

As the game wore on, Fairford made greater efforts to come to terms with the score with another ex-Highworth player, in the shape of Goodwin, controlling the middle of the park and making life difficult for Highworth's attack.

In attack, Fairford remained a considerable threat with many of these starting from their keeper's high kicks which, on a hard pitch, tended to prove troublesome for home defenders.

With some ten minutes left, another Fairford attack, allied to an unwise tackle in the left-hand corner of the penalty area, produced a penalty kick.

The spot-kick, taken by Dave Toomey, yet another ex-Highworth player, was put away with aplomb, despite a valiant diving attempt to save by Elliott Jackson.

With a point each now looking the odds-on, a High-worth attack in the 90th minute produced a right-wing corner.

An in-swinger, taken by Sean Terry, resulted in something of a shambles in the Fairford goal area, giving Justin Miller a chance to score from close range to secure three unexpected points for Highworth.

The value of these three points were increased with close rivals Bishops Cleeve and Didcot Town playing out a no-score draw and with lowly Bicester Town defeating Slimbridge by two goals to nil.

Bishops Cleeve now loom large in Highworth's sights as the Town are away to them in this Saturday's match, 3pm ko.