Division One (East)
Quarry Nomads 0 Binfield 2
Saturday, 28 September 2002
The Moles travelled to Oxford to take on in-form Quarry Nomads looking to get back on track following the loss of 5 out of the last 6 points at home. Quarry had held both Finchampstead and still unbeaten RS Basingstoke to draws at their home patch and the Moles were hopeful of at least that from what promised to be their hardest test to date.
Following on from the successful trial of a 3-5-2 formation at Basingstoke Town on Wednesday evening, Duggleby and Evans decided on the day to line this up again on the small but reasonably flat pitch at Headington.
Mark 'La-La' Walkington continued his comeback from his recent operation in goal, having been given the all clear from his doctor earlier in the week. Jason Day, 'skipper' Mark Baker and Ricky Hume filled the centre-back slots and Kris Day and Kristan Morgan-Jones were set out as the 'hard-working' wing backs. Barry McCoy was dropped back into midfield alongside Danny Harris and Carl Withers, leaving young Nick Kellaway to partner the influential Mick Havermans up front. Youth team captain Chris 'Gooner' Goodey returned to the squad to join Johnathon Keough and Paul Martin on a very strong bench.
The first half was a tight affair with neither side settling into any rhythm and the Moles the guiltiest parties when it came to squandering possession. Even so Walkington was rarely called upon as the visiting defence held strong, but were unable to create anything positive going forward. On the few occasions that the Moles got the ball down and played through their midfield, McCoy and Withers found passes into the flanks. One isolated move saw Kellaway feed Kris Day and the speedy winger went clear, but unfortunately his pull back just went behind Havermans, although the predatory striker did superbly well to pull the ball down but was unable to keep his fierce shot on the turn under the bar. The Moles best chances were coming from Havermans dominance in the air and on two more occasions Kellaway was just foiled as he attempted to latch onto his partners flick-ons.
Half-time: 0 - 0
The second half was a similar story in terms of performance, but the Moles dug deep to cut out some of the bickering that had started to creep into their first half effort. Driven on by the work-rate of Harris the Moles were coming more and more into the game as an attacking force now Day and 'MJ' had started to make in-roads down the flanks, however, the visitors had to wait until the 65th minute to take, what was now just about a deserved lead and the goal was worth the wait.The moles had struggled to put many good moves together, but this was one of them as the ball moved quickly through the side, before the powerful McCoy burst into the box to hold off a defender and the keeper to slot home, 1 - 0 to the league leaders at last. The game was still alive as a contest and Walkington was twice called upon to continue his superb form this season with magnificent saves. Five minutes after the first goal came another cracker to seal the points. Withers at last showed how much of a match-winner he can be as his superb floated free-kick expertly found the run of HAVERMANS, who twisted athletically in the air to volley home past the helpless keeper from near the penalty spot.
Martin came on to replace the tiring 'MJ' and Keough replaced the limping Jason Day, but the side held firm as the subs slotted into the side easily. There was still time for both Kris Day and Kellaway to be turned down for what looked like blatant penalties for a handball then a body check as both players bore down on goal. More goals for the visitors would have put an unfair slant on the score-line but the 2 - 0 victory was hard-fought and just about deserved against strong opponents, who will undoubtedly continue to challenge for honours this season.
Manager Duggleby said afterwards " Whilst the performance was still below the standard we are looking for at least the fighting spirit was back this week. A slight concern that we are now starting to pick up knocks so the use of our squad will be more and more important in the coming weeks" Next week the Moles take a break from League action as they make the short journey to Emmbrook Sports of the Reading Senior Division for local derby County Cup match, with a 2.30 k.o.
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