HIGHWORTH Town boss Jeff Roberts is after a fast start from his players when Devon-based Barnstaple Town arrive at the Save on Tyres Stadium this weekend.

The Southern League Division One South’s basement side face a two-and-a-half hour trip up to Highworth on Saturday morning before facing a Worthians outfit who have scored seven goals in their previous two home games.

Barnstaple have lost each of their last 10 games and have not played for two weeks, therefore Roberts wants to see his team make the most of any potential rust from the opposition and grab an early goal.

He said: “Barnstaple are struggling this year, but it’s another game that we can’t take for granted.

“We’ve got to go about our own business properly, we can’t worry about them.

“If every player goes out and does his job to the best of his ability, and we play like we did against Moneyfields, it should be quite an entertaining game.

“Where they’ve had that long journey, it will be important for us to start fast and get at them straight away.

“If we have a good go at them early and get a quick goal, that will make it a lot easier for ourselves.”

If Highworth do heed their manager’s words and put themselves ahead in the opening stages, Roberts is keen to see his players take care of any potential lead and not let old habits through the door.

The Worthians boss pointed to several results last season and earlier this where his side has gone ahead, only to throw points away by conceding soon after.

One such occasion was just a few weeks ago when Highworth twice led Bristol Manor Farm before going down 5-2 at home.

Roberts is aware his side are not likely to keep many clean sheets due to their attacking instincts, but still wants his young team to continue their defensive and game management skills.

He said: “We’ve been through spells where we’ve scored goals and conceded straight away – we did that against Bristol Manor Farm.

“But against Moneyfields, when we conceded, we scored straight away to kill the game off.

“There aren’t many games we’re going to have 0-0 draws in because we’re quite attack-minded and the way we play leaves opportunities for teams to penetrate us on the counter attack.

“But we’ve started to keep our shape a little bit better recently and we’re improving all the time, which is pleasing.”