There is never much to choose between the Whites and Highworth whenever the sides meet and so it proved again as they opened their respective North Wilts League Division 1 seasons with a hard-fought draw.
Defences and goalkeepers were certainly on top as last season's Wiltshire County Cup finalists clashed and although both teams had chances to snatch maximum points, the outcome was probably the right one.
Both goals arrived from first-half set-pieces. Toby’s accurate corners do not always get the treatment they deserve from the Colts strikers but this time Tom was in the right place at the near post to divert his delivery from the right into the roof of the net to give the hosts an advantage their bright opening to the game deserved.
George was inches away from doubling the advantage when he met Tom’s centre with a shot that skimmed an upright.
Highworth drew level with a well-taken header from a corner just seconds after an impeded Luke S produced a superb save to push a free-kick onto the bar.
The home keeper then excelled himself with a brilliant double stop, the second from point-blank range, just as it seemed Highworth were destined to take the lead.
With Max in commanding form in front of a solid and dependable back two of Bradley and Josh, the Colts were able to regroup and created further opportunities of their own. The tricky Liam escaped the defence but couldn’t find a finish to match and Callum and Luke VDB also probed dangerously around the edge of the box.
Brandon H joined forces in midfield with Matthew, who curled one free-kick just over the bar and saw another spilled by the keeper, with none of his team-mates alert enough to capitalise.
Colts produced another decent spell at the start of the second half and two outrageous passes from Liam nearly created a breakthrough. They thought they had scored a second when the keeper parried Luke VDB’s shot and Matthew followed up to score, only for the assistant referee’s flag to halt the celebrations.
Highworth continued to ask questions at the other end as the Colts’ energy and passing game deserted them but Luke S’s handling was assured and Bradley and Max made important tackles to deny the fast-breaking visitors.
A strong late claim for a Highworth penalty was waved away, much to the relief of the home team, and neither side could be too disappointed with a share of the spoils.