FA Vase 4th Round Proper

Tunbridge Wells 2 Highworth Town 2 (after extra time)

Highworth won 4-2 on penalties

HIGHWORTH TOWN moved within three victories of a Wembley Stadium final when beating Tunbridge Wells FC in a penalty shoot-out to their FA Vase fourth round proper replay on Saturday.

In front of a crowd of 788 at the home of the Southern Counties East League side, the Worthians held their rivals to a 2-2 draw before win the spot kick shoot-out 4-2.

They now face an all Wiltshire clash in the fifth round proper when they visit Bradford Town.

Both sides play in level nine of the football pyramid – Bradford Town in the Western Premier League and Highworth Town in the Hellenic Premier.

The tie is due to be played on Saturday, February 7. The FA Vase final will be played at Wembley on Saturday, May 9.

Highworth were the better of the two sides going forward but the Wells defended with vigour to keep the visitors at bay.

After half an hour a quick counter attack saw the Wells win a penalty and although Gary Stevens saved it, Paul Booth knocked in the loose ball. The second half was much like the first with Highworth attacking and Tunbridge Wells defending.

Finally the pressure paid off when Chris Jackson put TJ Bohane through to score the equaliser.

Stevens made a magnificent save from Brendan Cass to keep the Worthians' hopes alive and a period of extra time followed.

Highworth took the lead on 100 minutes when Ryan King latched on to a loose ball following a goalmouth scramble to slot home from close range.

The Worthians tired in the second period and the Wells equalised late in the game through Cass to set up the penalty shoot-out.

Highworth scored their first three attempts while Stevens saved two Wells efforts, and Nathan Blackford then held his nerve with the visitors' next penalty to take them through to the last 16.