Harrow Hill 0, Highworth Town 3.
MONEY, that is the lack of it, is putting Harrow Hill at "a bit of a disadvantage" admits secretary Mark Rawlings. But things are not going to change and curiously, as the recession starts to bite it may well be the amateurs from the famous hilltop club who come out smiling.
"We can't have high level talks about cutting our wage bill because we don't have one to pay," says Rawlings. "Even the manager does the job for nothing."
Without a home win this season, Rawlings would dearly love Wantage Town to become Harrow Hill's first victims when they meet them this Wednesday evening.
However, he fears the club's future may well be already decided and the club could be heading to the Hellenic League Western Division.
"Of course we would like to stay in the Premier. It is a good standard of football and we have some good players. It might be possible to survive by making ground improvements but you also need money to do that. We can't very well ask the players to pay!" he says.
Manager Steve Boseley's charges may be bottom but they are no mugs. Always competitive, they had several scoring chances against Highworth.
But when your luck is out, it's the old story...within three minutes a piece of sloppy defending let in the visitors for their first goal and other followed in the 36th and 50th minutes.
There were opportunities for the Hill. Up front Andy Keveren looked sharp, Matt Freed fired a long range shot just wide and Shaun Bucklan tested the Highworth keeper with a rasper.
But insufficient chances were created and most of the pressure came at the other end with fullsome praise and the man-of-the-match title going to Hill goalkeeper Ricky Beckett.
Having rejoined from Viney Hill, Beckett has enjoyed a great season and is now Hill's first choice.
"He was superb and kept us in the game. In my mind there is no doubt that without him we would have lost by six goals," said Rawlings.