Warminster Highbury FC Under 10’s ‘A’ enjoyed a successful season as they competed for the Mid Wilts Youth League and the Daniel Higgs Memorial Trophy. The core of the team remained with the sole addition being Lyndon Parmerly. The team’s manager and coach remained unchanged and provided continuity of training and philosophy.

The first match saw Highbury travel to Chippenham Town Youth White where they suffered a 2 – 0 defeat. Highbury produce a lacklustre performance where they struggled to find rhythm and were punished for poor passing and indifferent defending. Highbury rallied in the second half and despite failing to score they created sufficient opportunities to have won the match without ever hitting top gear.  Highbury worked hard in training and went into the next match in confident mood. They played Trowbridge Town Youth ‘B’ and produced a much improved performance. Highbury returned to their normal stylish play using the pace and skill to spread the game and creating space for teammates. Highbury also found their normal defensive solidity and this set a solid platform for success. Despite dominating the majority of the game Highbury failed to convert chances into goals and the game ended 0 – 0.  Highbury then faced Bradford Town Falcons in the Daniel Higgs Memorial Trophy where they were finally rewarded for the excellent performance with an emphatic 7 – 0 win. Highbury played fast fluent football which involved defenders, midfielders and forwards being comfortable in possession, using the ball and attacking their opponents out wide to deliver crosses into the box. The only downside was despite Highbury scoring seven they were still wasteful in front of goal. November 2009 saw Highbury return to league action with a difficult away fixture against Trowbridge Town Youth ‘A’. The game was played in near monsoon conditions in which the boys did well to stay upright never mind play effective football. Highbury were playing into the storm in the first half and went into half time 2 – 0 down however they displayed real character and showed a togetherness and team spirit that would stand them in good stead for the rest of the season. Highbury battled back to win the match 2 – 3 with the victory owing more to sheer determination and guts.

Highbury continued with their exciting form when they travelled to Melksham Town ‘A’ where they produced an excellent performance and secured a 4 – 1 victory. Highbury dominated the match and created chance after chance however their ability to spurn chances returned and somehow they went into half time 1 – 0 down after Melksham scored with their only attack of the half. Highbury remained calm and trusted that their football would be rewarded in the second half. Highbury didn’t have long to wait and equalised soon after the restart, they then pressed on and scored a second and third goal to create some breathing space. Highbury were also defending with more determination and had reason to be grateful that there goalkeeper remains probably the best in the league, producing quality saves at crucial moments. Highbury finished with a fourth goal to complete a 4 – 1 victory.  Highbury then travelled to play Worton and Cheverill Badgers who were second in the league and ahead of Highbury. Highbury pushed hard from the off and dominated their opponents. When Highbury play to their best, with quick incisive movement of the ball, allied to pace and a determination to succeed, they are as good as any side in the league. They opened a 2 – 0 lead and looked so fluent that they should have extended it further before Worton scored what appeared a consolation goal. Highbury were not to be deterred and added a third before Worton scored a second in added time.  Highbury saw out the victory to win 3 – 2.

Highbury faced a difficult home match against AFC Corsham and unfortunately the winter weather conditions prevented any chance of a meaningful contest. Both teams struggled to adapt to the conditions which worsened as the game wore on, however Highbury threw everything at Corsham and dominated the match but again displayed their early season profligacy in front of goal and failed to take advantage of some decent chances. Throw-ins and corners were delivered into the Corshm box but did not produce a goal, sadly Highbury were hit with the sucker punch and Corsham broke up field and scored the only goal of the game to win 1 – 0.

Highbury went into December needing to achieve a win to reignite their season and had a home match against Devizes Town in the Daniel Higgs Memorial Trophy. Highbury displayed no loss of confidence and stuck to their normal fluid style of play. Highbury attacked Devizes from the off and created, and missed chance after chance once again until just before half time when an error by the Devizes keeper that presented an unexpected opportunity which was gladly taken to give Highbury a 1 – 0 lead at half time. The pressure lifted Highbury started to make the most of the set plays and scored a superb volley from a well worked corner to make it 2 – 0.  Highbury struck the woodwork on four occasions and were nearly punished as Devizes scored a late consolation goal however Highbury ran out 2 – 1 winners and went into the ¼ finals.

Highbury played only one competitive match in January 2010 when they faced a difficult away fixture against AFC Corsham. This was a game Highbury would need to win if they harboured any chance of winning the league. The game was a hard fought physical match that required real restraint and patience. Highbury scored a goal shortly before half time and withstood a strong second half comeback that needed them to display defensive steel and trust in their football. Highbury were rewarded with a deserved second and they comfortably saw out a 2 – 0 victory.

The next match was the ¼ final of the cup against Chippenham town Youth White in February 2010 following a winter break and inclement weather. Highbury produced one of their best performances of the season as they crushed Chippenham 4 – 1. Highbury drew together all of the positive aspects of their play; quick neat passing, using pace in wide areas to stretch their opponents, solid committed defending and brave incisive goalkeeping.  Highbury had developed a goal threat from so many positions, with defenders executing set plays and contributing vital goals.  Chippenham also played an excellent match but were unfortunate to face Highbury on this form. Highbury went into their league match away to Trowbridge Wanderers in high spirits but found themselves playing on a pitch that so small that it was congested even with it being seven a-side. The game became a lottery with neither side able to express themselves and goalkeepers nearly scoring from every clearance. Trowbridge opened the scoring from a deflected own goal, Highbury scrambled an equaliser before Trowbridge stole a winning goal from a corner kick. Ultimately Highbury came down to earth with a bang and did not adapt to the adverse conditions well enough.

March saw Highbury face a difficult away tie against Trowbridge Town Youth. Highbury set about the match with a pace and vigour few teams could live with, they created, and wasted chance after chance and looked likely to miss out on a deserved victory until they scored from a well rehearsed set play. Highbury had numerous corners and delivered a deep cross which was expertly met at the far post and smashed home. Highbury continued to dominate and ended up 1 – 0 winners.  This was an excellent performance of top quality football in which Highbury showed just how well they can play and what progress they have made this season. Highbury faced a ½ final of the cup against AFC Chippenham town on neutral territory at Corsham. Chippenham were more committed and physically out performing Highbury who were strangely subdued and. With 2 minutes remaining the game was being bullied out of their stride. Chippenham missed a penalty before Highbury scored the opener from a superb move that involved spreading the play wide and delivering a perfect cross which was turned in for a 1 – 0 lead. Chippenham responded with real determination and deservedly equalised after an own goal before going ahead 2 – 1 with only 2 minutes remaining. Highbury responded with a fighting spirit and a sheer will to win that saw them score three goals to finish the match 4 – 2 victors.

Highbury continued their league campaign with a home match against Trowbridge Wanderers. The game was a tense affair with both teams physically committed to not giving an inch whilst trying to play football with flair. The first half was a battle to earn the right to play and ended 0 – 0. The second saw Highbury force a 1 – 0 lead when a defender advanced and scored from distance. The game looked to be petering out when Trowbridge scored a superb solo goal when they cleared a Highbury corner and broke the length of the pitch to score. The game finished 1 – 1.

April saw Highbury face Melksham Park. Highbury started well and pushed for an opener from the off, they created numerous chances but failed to score however just as frustration was setting in the pressure paid off and a long throw was headed into their own goal to give Highbury a 1 – 0 lead. Highbury went for the kill and added two quick goals to secure a 3 – 0 lead by half time. The second half was an ultra professional performance of controlled risk free football. They controlled possession, defended soundly, created chances and denied Melksham any hope of making a comeback and finished the game with the same 3 – 0 score line. Next up was a return fixture against bogey side Trowbridge Wanderers. Highbury played with real tempo and had numerous opportunities to score before they were rewarded with another goal from a set play as a deep corner was well met and slotted home for a 1 – 0 lead which they saw through to half time. Highbury started the second half as they finished the first and soon added a second from a long range strike that left the away keeper rooted to the spot.  Highbury again killed the contest with a controlled performance of safety first football however they added a final goal to win 3 – 0. Highbury then played a crucial match against title favourites Chippenham Town Youth who were in second place with Highbury third. The game was a fine advert for youth football as both teams played with style, skill, tactical awareness and total commitment. Both teams had chances to score and Highbury broke the deadlock with a fine individual effort. Chippenham defended a corner well and the ball broke to the edge of the area where it was controlled and volleyed into the far corner as the ball swerved and dipped under the ball. Both teams new the next goal was crucial however the game finished with Highbury winning 1 – 0 and moving into second place.

Highbury started May 2010 with a final league game against Worton and Cheverill Badgers knowing that they needed a win and preferably lots of goals to secure first place, and then hope that both Corsham or Chippenham would not surpass their points total. Highbury displayed the nerves of expectation and conceded an early goal however once they settled the upped the tempo and scored three quick goals before half time to lead 3 – 1. Highbury started the second with confidence oozing from all the players and managed another three goals as the team attacked with pace, power and skill running out 6 – 1 winners.

Highbury’s final match of the season in the final of the Daniel Higgs Memorial cup against Trowbridge Town Youth played at Melksham Town ground.  Highbury went  into the match a player down with their goalkeeper unavailable, thus restricting the number of substitutes they had available. The game was dominated by Highbury but they found themselves 1- 0 down after a scrappy goal. Highbury pushed and created numerous chances to equalise. They were rewarded in the second half when they scored a stunning goal with a fierce shot from outside the box.  Highbury were reduced still further by injury meaning as the game went into extra time, on a boiling hot day they had no substitutes left. Highbury still dominated but were undone by a long ball into the box that rebounded cruelly and fell to a Trowbridge player who prodded home.  Highbury somehow managed to respond and created a number of half chances but failed to take any and the game ended with Highbury losing 2 – 1.

The season ended in success as neither AFC Corsham or Chippenham Town Youth were able to catch Highbury and the won the league totalling 29 points, winning 9, drawing 2 and losing 5 matches and a goal difference of +16. The league title achieved over an entire season of hard work was just reward for the excellence of the teams work ethic, skill, philosophy and progression.