KEEPER Kurtis Sharkey celebrated his 25th birthday in style by becoming the shootout hero as Highworth beat Wokingham & Emmbrook 3-0 on penalties to progress to the semi-final of the Challenge Cup.

Sharkey saved two Wokingham spot kicks while another was fired over the bar, and Josh Parsons, Josh McKeon and Tony Joyce all stepped up and found the net to claim victory.

The game had finished 1-1 after normal time after Parsons gave Highworth a second minute lead, and although the home side equalised before half-time a goalless extra time period followed before the visitors claimed victory in the shootout.

“It was a great win for us, and I was really pleased for the boys,” Highworth boss Dave Webb said.

“It has to be a perfect birthday for Kurtis because he was brilliant in the shootout, and all of the boys stood up well to score their penalties.

“We had a few missing and had a very young bench so it was a great effort from the boys to go through normal and extra time.

“We controlled the game after Josh’s early goal and conceded a silly equaliser, but they didn’t really trouble us for the rest of the game, and I think the best team won.”

The victory means Town host Oxford City Nomads in the semi finals, and Webb is keen to give the Hellenic Premier leaders a game.

“They are obviously the team to beat at the moment because they are doing very well, so it will be great to be able to test ourselves against a team like that,” he said.

“Playing them at home is important, although it is always nice travelling to play them at Oxford City’s ground because it is a lovely place to play.

“We have got to this stage which is great as it keeps our season going, but we want to go and win a competition we have never won before.”

The Worthians are in action again tonight against Bracknell before hosting Ascot on Wednesday night, and Webb is convinced his side can cope with three games in five days.

“It is a tough ask, but I think we will be ok,” he said.

“We will have a few players back which is good, but the boys will just have to dig deep in what is another massive week for the club.”

In the Hellenic Premier, Fairford lost 1-0 away at Slimbridge.

Home captain Marvin Roberts scored the game’s only goal after 14 minutes, and missed a host of chances to make victory more comfortable