Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup
Round 1
Embrook Sports 1 Binfield 2
Saturday, 05 October 2002
A local ?derby? Cup-tie saw the 'moles' make the short trip to Wokingham, to tackle Emmbrook Sports of the A Quote Insurance Reading League Premier Division. Given Binfield's recent impressive start to their Hellenic League campaign, this looked to be a comfortable afternoon's work in prospect. Of course, somebody forgot to tell Emmbrook their role of underdog meant they should roll over and die! And so all the old cliches of the Cup being a 'great leveller' were proved correct once more. The bone hard surface and dust-bowl goalmouths made life very difficult for both sides to get the ball down and play. Each bounce shot the ball up around player?s ears and we knew this was never going to be pretty.
Binfield had the early break opportunity as Kellaway went down under challenge in the home box with barely two minutes on the clock. Penalty! The visitors have struggled to convert from twelve yards this term the ball was placed on the spot by Mick Havermans, who converted last time out. Having seen his first run up halted by the referee's whistle the striker stepped forward again and rolled his effort wide of the left-hand post. Emmbrook were intent on pressing the ball all over the park, giving the visitors no time to settle into any rhythm. The work-rate and determination was commendable, unsettling the 'moles'. This high-pressure game started to put Binfield on the back-foot and they were fortunate not to go behind, when former 'mole' Coleman fired over from two yards after a whipped-in cross from the right. Walkington, in goal for the away side, had to be alert on several occasions as the lively Coleman's movement asked some probing questions. Havermans was denied a second penalty when the Emmbrook keeper clattered him in mid-air, but got his revenge on the stroke of half time. Kris Day's right-wing corner caused havoc under the home crossbar, aided by the presence of the giant Keough up from the back. Havermans pounced to head home from four yards to give Binfield the lead.
Half Time: 0 - 1.
The interval team-talk was certainly livelier in the visitors? camp, as they knew they were well below par. It seemed to do the trick as, within minutes of the re-start, Kellaway poached a close-range goal to double the 'moles' advantage. 0-2. Binfield's playmaker, Withers, was being singled out for some harsh attention; taken off his feet on several occasions with crude challenges he was getting inadequate protection from the referee, who amazingly failed to produce a card of any description. Rather than building on their advantage, Binfield decided to engage cruise control, allowing the never-say-die home team to throw men forward. Frustration and tempers began to reach boiling point as Binfield players began to criticise the lack of effort among team-mates. Emmbrook's game display was rewarded with ten minutes remaining. The lively Coleman was given an eternity to roll defenders and slot past Walkington from eight yards 1-2. Despite their best efforts the home side could not find an equaliser and Binfield progressed to the next round. It was the home dressing room that was the more upbeat though, despite the defeat.
Binfield: Walkington, Day K., Keough, Hume, Baker (sub. Goodey 72), Morgan-Jones McCoy Leishman Withers Kellaway Havermans
Over at Stubbs Lane, Binfield Reserves overturned a first half deficit against a spirited Rayners Lane; two second-half goals from Ryan Ray clinching a 2-1 win
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