HIGHWORTH Town boss Jeff Roberts is optimistic his players can spring a surprise on Southern League Division One South title chasers Yate Town as he welcomes the Gloucestershire outfit to the Save on Tyres Stadium on Saturday.
The Worthians had won their previous four games prior to a disappointing 3-0 loss away at leaders Blackfield & Langley last weekend, a defeat that Roberts said was largely of their own making.
Breakdowns in communication and individual errors had cost Roberts’ side two goals before half-time, and the Town chief is keen to avoid such mistakes this time around as his side take on a team that have only tasted defeat three times all season.
Roberts does not believe there will be a repeat of the 3-0 defeat his side suffered earlier on in the campaign and is instead confident of an improved showing from his strengthened squad.
He said: “When we played them earlier in the season, we went there with a slightly weakened side and got beat 3-0, so hopefully we can give them a tougher test this time.
“Our pitch isn’t the biggest and the slope might not suit them. We’ve got a strong squad back for Saturday too, so hopefully we can give them a good game. I’m optimistic that we can spring a surprise.”
And with no game for either Swindon Town or Swindon Supermarine in the town, Roberts is hopeful of seeing a few more fans in attendance this Saturday.
The Highworth boss wants more locals to come down and give his young side that extra level of support he feels would push them on to success in either this season or next.
He said: “We could do with a few more people coming down to support us now.
“That’s a massive aim for us now – to get people coming down to watch us from the local area, Highworth especially.
“We’re trying to improve the ground and the facilities, and I think we could just do with that little bit more support from the locals to help us with that.
“The ground is starting to get there now, the turnstiles are in, so the facilities are a lot better than they were a few seasons ago and hopefully we can show people how well we can play and give Yate a good game on Saturday.”
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