Highbury Under 10’s ‘A’ played in the ½ final of the Daniel Higgs Memorial Trophy when they confronted arch rivals Chippenham Town Youth on Sunday 21^st March 2010. The game was a nervous affair in which Highbury displayed fighting spirit and a determination to win when their normal free flowing football did not materialise. Highbury ran out 4 – 2 winners after a stirring fight back.

The game was played on neutral territory and the match started with Chippenham being more aggressive and winning the 50 / 50 tackles. Highbury were far too passive in their play, the failed to tackle with sufficient commitment and did not hassle, harry or pressure their opponents.

Highbury had the first serious opportunity to score when Lyndon Parmley crossed superbly from a wide freekick, Louis Cole met the cross and headed powerfully towards goal only to see the ball graze the bar as it went over. Chippenham responded and exploited Highbury’s hesitancy in defence, Harry Guerri-Fear was not close enough to his man and could not challenge for the ball, this allowed Chippenham to go wide where Guerri-Fear tracked back and conceded a throw in. The ball was launched into the penalty area where Liam Gibbens was unable to collect cleanly, and inexplicably Louis Cole caught the ball in both hands. Chippenahm were awarded the penalty however Gibbens seemed to grow in stature and size and filled the goal like a giant, resulting in the Chippenahm player blazing high and wide of the mark.

Highbury created two more chances with Louis Cole teeing up Adam Clark who had continued a run from defence and shot wide and soon after a goal mouth scramble presented Parmley with a shooting opportunity that was well saved by the Chippenham Keeper. Highbury took the lead when Chay Andrews bravely blocked a powerful shot and played Parmley down the right wing, Highbury won a throw which was quickly collected by Cole who raced to the by-line and crossed for Luke Woods to score 1 – 0. Chippenham responded and nearly equalised before half time when Thomas Mcferran challenged two opponents for the ball, the ball broke and wrong footed the defence leaving Chippenahm one on one with Liam Gibbens who excelled by saving bravely.

Chippenham started the second half with more determination whereas Highbury continued in a strangely submissive mood, Chippenham denied Joe hardy any room or space and he was tackle every time he received possession. Chippenham got a deserved equaliser after a catalogue of errors, Chippenham goalkeeper cleared long, Harry Guerri-Fear was indecisive and allowed the Chippenham attacker to much room, Adam Clark failed to close the player and allowed him to deliver a cross which in an attempt to head out for a corner Louis Cole diverted into his own net for 1 -1.

Chippenham were going for the kill and scored a second when following another long clearance by the Chippenham keeper, Chay Andrews was left exposed, he was also indecisive and this allowed the ball to be shifted to the right without any challenge and this put a Chippenham player clean through to score the second.    

The clocked ticked on with only 2 ½ minutes remaining when Highbury equalised. Lyndon Parmley collected a throw from Thomas McFerran and had a powerful shot well saved for a corner. From the resulting corner Louis Cole delivered a perfect cross which was met first time by Adam Clark whose header nearly broke the net. Metaphorically Chippenham seemed to deflate on the spot whereas Highbury finally had the bit between their teeth. Highbury scored their third goal 20 seconds into injury time when Louis Cole chased a hopeful ball that seemed destined to go out of play. To the surprise of the Chippenham team Cole kept the ball in and pulled back a cross that was met a yard from goal by Luke Woods who tapped into the empty net.

Highbury put the icing on the cake when Cole played Luke Woods through the right channel and clear on goal, Woods showed great pace as he outstripped the defence and with the keeper to beat lifted the ball over him into an empty net to give Highbury a 4 – 2 victory. Highbury will face Trowbridge (A) in the final.