HIGHWORTH Town boss Jeff Roberts said his side’s 2-1 win over Bristol Manor Farm was down to a successful change in formation as they collected their first Southern League Division One South win since mid-September, writes JONATHAN LEIGHFIELD.

Town went behind in the first half after giving away a penalty but battled back to claim all three points thanks to goals from Darren Jefferies and Callum Ferguson.

Highworth were dumped out of the Wiltshire Senior Cup by Swindon Supermarine on Wednesday night but despite the loss, Roberts believes it inspired the change in formation that proved vital in his team’s away win at the weekend.

“We looked at the Supermarine game from midweek and I thought in the second half we were much better, so I felt we needed to change a few things around for today," said Roberts.

“We changed our formation, went to 4-3-3 and it worked. In the first 30 minutes, we really got at them.

“They’re a big side physically, but we got the ball over the top we caused them some problems.

“Overall, I thought the formation worked well and that was down to the lads all putting a shift in. I thought we really deserved that today."

The Worthians boss was keen to commend his players for their performance and it insisted that his change of tactics only succeeded because of his side’s work ethic in the 90 minutes.

He said: “It’s all about consistency with the players really. It would be nice if we can get a settled side but I think the formation worked really well today.

"It was a gamble but it paid off and that was down to the players.

“We’ve come out after the break and kept the ball really well and got our rewards with the winner.

“I thought our back four looked nice and compact, the three in midfield did what we asked them to do and the lads up top made a nuisance of themselves so hopefully we can build on that."

Roberts was understandably delighted with the three points and says that if his team are to pick up more results like this one, they must show the kind of character they did at the weekend for the remainder of the season.

“The win takes the tension of the players because we were going through that barren spell, drawing and getting beaten by the odd goal, so when we went 1-0 down, to get it back to 1-1 and then go on and win, I thought it showed a lot of character from our players," said Roberts.

“It was a great three points for us and three points that we thoroughly deserved."

  • ROYAL Wootton Bassett Town claimed a 2-1 win at home to Ardley United in the Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday.

Daniel Lachaz scored in the first half for Sam Collier's side, with TJ Bohane on target in the second.

It was also a successful weekend for Fairford Town as they won 3-0 at Bishops Cleeve.

Robbie James, Callum Preece and Danny Gudger got the goals for Jody Bevan's side.

Shrivenham shared a 3-3 draw at home to Lydney Town.

Sam Ockwell, Lewis Petrie and Luke Cordery were all on target for the hosts.

In Division One West, Malmesbury Victoria went down 3-1 at Clanfield (85).