(Photo - The Elms Recreation Ground, home of Highworth Town)
The draw for the FA Vase Fourth Round has taken place at FA Headquarters and hands The Wells another away-day, this time against Highworth Town on Saturday, January 17. Evidently this round was drawn on a straight North-South split.
Based a few miles to the north-east of Swindon, 'The Worthians' play in the Hellenic League Premier Division, and currently sit 9th (of 20), having won 10 and drawn three of their opening 18 league matches. Like The Wells, Highworth beat Wessex League opposition in the Third Round on Saturday defeating Blackfield & Langley 1-0 on the road. Prior to that, they've seen off Hartley Wintney 2-1 at home, Windsor 4-1 away, and Bridport 3-0 at home,
"It would have been nice to have been at home, but at this stage it's just great to be involved still," first team boss Martin Larkin told www.tunbridgewellsfc.com. "There are many, many teams sitting there envious of the 32 that are left so we won't complain.
"We've got a good six weeks to wait, but we are all very excited! We just hope to have everyone for when the day comes around."
Of course, at this stage of the competition there are few easy games on offer, but Saturday’s win in the last round at AFC Portchester has shown Larkin that his side has plenty in its locker to meet the trials and challenges that will undoubtedly come from this point in the competition.
“Saturday’s result has given us huge confidence on both sides of the touchline,” Larkin noted. “On the pitch the players were superb. We soaked up what they hit us with and kept our shape. Losing Bourne early meant losing the vocal leader from the back four, and drafting Beecroft in meant replacing him with someone who normally dictates our play out of the midfield. So to come through that was excellent.
“And in the dugout it was Brad who put his hand up early in the second half and suggested we move Powell up top - and that finally gave us an outlet - so players and coaches all turned up when it mattered. We will always have the belief in the camp because of our history with the competition.”
Of the other surviving SCEFL clubs, Phoenix Sports have a long trip to Cornwall to face Bodmin, Ashford will host Norwich United (if they get past Littlehampton in a replay), Greenwich host AFC St Austell from Cornwall while Erith & Belvedere are at home to Yaxley.
Visit Highworth Town here: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/highworthtown
View the full FA Vase Draw here: http://www.thefa.com/fa-vase/fixtures