Blackfield & Langley’s FA Vase dream is over.

The Watersiders’ attempts to reach the fourth round for the third season running were thwarted as they lost 1-0 to a late Highworth Town strike at Gang Warily this afternoon, writes WENDY GEE.

It was a somewhat scrappy start as both teams battled for superiority – Highworth forcing a corner on six minutes after Dan Drewitt’s punt forward had been shovelled to safety by the back-pedalling Blackfield defence.

Six minutes later the visitors forced another corner after Drewitt had this time beaten Hugh Dathan for Tony Joyce’s delivery down the right.

Blackfield – beaten 4-0 by Winchester City in the Hampshire Senior Cup on Tuesday – looked edgy in defence, much to the exasperation of goalkeeper Scott O’Rourke who was right behind Drewitt’s opportunist shot from distance 17 minutes in.

Highworth were themselves beaten 4-0 on their last visit to Gang Warily in the FA Cup in August, but they had more about them this time, scrapping for everything in mid-field.

The Watersiders didn’t threaten until the 19th minute when Michael Durdey threaded a fine ball into the right of the area, but Highworth keeper Gary Stevens was quick off his line to block out Ed Dadzie.

Dadzie had the next Blackfield effort too, but it was a soft shot from 20 yards straight at the keeper.

It took half an hour for B&L’s quality to shine through as they conjured up the best chance of the game.

Danny Young embarked on a driving run down the right channel and squared for Ekow Elliott on the left.

Elliott danced his way across to the ‘D’ and set his sights on goal, but his delicately curling shot swerved just past the base of the post.

The Watersiders kept up the momentum with Mark Ford’s determined run down the left stopped by Ashley Taylor on the edge of the area.

The referee awarded a free kick and Elliott’s delivery was deflected into the path on Franklyn Clarke who lifted his shot over.

Highworth then went close at the other end with Sam Wadieh heading over from close range following a disputed free kick from the left.

On 40 minutes the visitors earned themselves another corner and, with tall defender Wadieh again posing problems with his height, the ball fell to skipper Terry Bohame who hooked his shot over.

Dan Cann and Michael Durdey picked up bookings as Blackfield battled in vain to regain the ascendancy.

Highworth were then awarded a free kick for a shove by Kev Gibbens, but John Davoile’s delivery was straight at O’Rourke.

Blackfield had a let-off three minutes into the second half after a penalty had been awarded against them for Clarke’s foul on Callum Parsons.

But O’Rourke – a passionate and vocal figure between the sticks for the Watersiders – rescued his side by keeping out Bohame’s spot kick low to his left.

Clarke fired wide and new signing Cann over as Blackfield came back positively and then Elliott planted a soft header into Stevens’ hands from a corner.

The next big chance fell to Highworth with Bohame glancing a 68th minute header narrowly wide from a corner.

With Elliott having an influence again, Blackfield came close to a 76th minute breakthrough when the winger’s searching cross from the left found Gibbens, back to goal. The ball skimmed off the defender’s head and flew narrowly past the post.

Clarke, never averse to a shot from distance, then skidded one wide from 30 yards.

But, with five minutes of normal time remaining, it was Highworth who made the all-important breakthrough.

A sweet passing move ended with Ryan King slipping the ball into the path of BOHAME on the left of the area.

This time the skipper and top scorer made no mistake, expertly finding the net from an acute angle.

Blackfield fought until the bitter end but, with just seconds remaining, Stevens pulled off a fine save from Elliott’s free kick before smothering the follow-up.