Highbury under 10's A played an away match against Trowbridge Wanderers on Sunday 21st February 2010 and produced a poor showing that lacked commitment, control and game intelligence. The match finished with Highbury getting their just deserts with a 2 - 1 defeat.

Highbury's last competitive match was a superb 4 - 1 victory against Chippenham FC and there was hope that they would take that form and confidence into this match. The game started with the normal helter skelter approach when playing on a pitch that is simply too small and not fit for purpose. The overall dimensions would be better suited to a tennis court and only served to deny either team time or space to play, prevent players from expressing themselves and condense the play which leads to the game coming down to chance.

The first goal was scored by Trowbridge following a break down the right hand side which was well defended by Harry Guerri-Fear and resulted in a corner. The corner was taken and well defended by Adam Clark however the ball was fired in low and hard and prodded home from close range before

Highbury could regroup.  

Highbury responded well and Louis Cole controlled a quick throw in from Lyndon Parmley, whereupon he beat his man and fired an accurate shot from distance that was tipped around the post. Further strong defending by Chay Andrews gave Highbury a break which lead to a half chance for Joe Hardy however again the home keeper managed to save at the expense of a corner. Parmley delivered an excellent ball into the box which was met perfectly by Luke Woods but he headed fractionally over the bar.

Whilst the game was scrappy Trowbridge created the odd chance however found Liam Gibbens in excellent form with his handling, shot saving and distribution. Highbury were struggling to get into the game and the midfield were not playing or working to their normal high standards which allowed Trowbridge to boss the game and caused Highbury to sit to deep. 

Highbury started the second half in the same vain, they still created some chances and forced a few corners which lead to them equalising. Again Lyndon Parmley delivered a superb cross which was met 2yds from goal by Luke Woods who scored with ease. Highbury should have pushed on but again dropped into the malaise which had clouded their performance and they were the architects of their own downfall in conceding the second goal. From a Highbury throw just short of the half way line, the ball was lost and Highbury panicked and conceded a corner for little reason. The corner was well delivered and headed in at the near post but there was not a single challenge made and the scorer was totally unmarked.

Highbury tried to rally and pushed forward leaving a sole defender and pushing Adam Clark further forward allowed Louis Cole to play up front. Highbury had a number of good positions in which they should have delivered a telling cross into the box and created opportunities to score, in one instance Thomas McFerran had made his way unmarked to the back post but the ball into him was poor and the chance went begging.

The game fizzled out and Highbury were left to rue what could and should have been a win. To lose a game against such a poor shows just how poorly they played which considering the normal high standards they aspire to is hard to fathom.