The Cherry Red Records Challenge Cup
Round 1
Binfield 1 Finchampstead 3
Saturday, 12 October 2002
A superb all round team performance saw Finchampstead oust neighbours Binfield out of the Hellenic Football League Challenge Cup at Stubbs Lane on Saturday and they now travel to Premier Division Abingdon United in the last sixteen. Current Division One (East) leaders Binfield were simply outclassed in every department on the day and champions Finchampstead always looked in charge as they stormed to a 3-1 victory over their old rivals.
It was Binfield that just had the edge in the opening fifteen minutes play, but no real chances were created as both sides battled for supremacy in midfield. The first real attack of the game came in the 15th minute when Finch played the ball well out of their defence and soon had the ball in the Binfield penalty area, where it was scrambled away for a corner by skipper Mark Baker. Sadly Binfield keeper Mark Walkington was injured as he dived to block a Lee Goddard shot on the edge of his six yard box from the corner, and he was no longer able to continue, with the highly capable Barry McCoy being forced to take over between the posts. In the 17th minute Binfield had a good chance to take the lead when Finch goalkeeper Stuart Harris was stranded on the edge of his penalty area at the end of a fast flowing attack through the middle of the park, but luckily for the visitors, Danny Harris failed to get any power behind his lunging shot towards the empty goal, and the danger was cleared by defender Lee Goddard.
Five minutes later it was Finch?s turn to catch the Binfield defence out, Jamie McClurg skipped past two players in a great run before setting up the unmarked Danny Humphreys, whose shot was parried by Barry McCoy and then hoofed clear by Kris Day. However their effort was finally rewarded in the 35th minute when they went 1-0 in front at the end of a quality move. Lee Goddard and Jamie Clarke calmly cleared a Binfield attack and played the ball forward to Danny Russell, who exchanged passes with Danny McCarthy through midfield before the latter delivered a perfect cross from the right that skimmed off the head of Bruce Rolls and was despatched by Jamie McClurg, who had steamed in at the far post. Stuart Harris was kept busy by Mick Havermans and Carl Withers as the first half drew to a close and the home side battled hard to get back on level terms, but the Finch keeper and his fellow defenders were coolness personified under pressure and Binfield?s potent strike-force could find no way through to score.
Half Time: 0-1
Binfield started the second half well, with Danny Harris forcing Stuart Harris to make a good save in the 48th minute, but Finch soaked up this early pressure and then turned the heat up themselves to go further in front in the 55th minute. Danny Humphreys was fouled in a run towards goal and Bruce Rolls sent in a dipping shot from the resulting free-kick that rebounded off the Binfield keeper, allowing Lee Goddard to storm in and hammer the loose ball home. This goal proved to be the turning point in the game, as several Binfield players heads dropped, despite the vocal encouragement from Mick Havermans to put the set back behind them and get on with the game. With their defence looking somewhat ragged for the first time, the lively Bruce Rolls nearly caught them out again, this time outplaying two defenders on the edge of the penalty area before crossing the ball through the keeper?s legs, only to find no Finch player in the six yard box to tap the ball into the empty goal. However a third Finch goal was not long coming as they concentrated the play deep in the Binfield half in a good five-minute spell of attacking football. Although Bruce Rolls did not get his name on the score sheet, he was certainly the catalyst of Finch?s victory, and he set up the third goal with a brilliant diagonal ball to Jamie McClurg, who ended an equally brilliant diagonal run with a stunning left foot shot that angled over the head of Barry McCoy and into the net to make it 3-0 in the seventieth minute.
Strangely going 3-0 down seemed to rejuvenate the Binfield players and they performed with increased all round effort. As a result, they pulled a goal back in the 80th minute, although it was more a case of Finch paying the penalty for slack defending as they allowed unmarked substitute John Smith to send a blistering header into the back of the net from a corner to make it 3-1. With the Binfield players now smelling a chance of getting back into the game, and manager Glenn Duggleby almost apoplectic giving his instructions, a frantic final ten minute spell ensued, with end to end play keeping both sets of defences and goalkeepers busy, and the crowd well entertained. However Finch still looked more composed as the game drew to a close and they well deserved their victory.
Finchampstead reserves long journey to Northampton was also well rewarded as they moved top of the Hellenic Football League Reserve Division One table following their 4-3 victory over previous leaders Brackley Town. Goals from Dave Hobbs (2), Darren Walton and Cliff Wanless earned Finch the points, with the referee playing a somewhat extended 2nd half.
Next Saturday Finchampstead entertain Martin Baker Sports in Division One (East) match at Finchampstead Park, with the reserves travelling to Carterton Town in Reserve Division One, both with 3.00pm kick-offs.
Finchampstead:Harris, Clarke, Goddard, Prentice, Lynch, Burt, McCarthy, James McClurg, Humphreys, Rolls Bowden Subs used: Russell, Pearce, Justin McClurg.
Binfield:Walkington, K Day, Morgan-Jones, J Day, Baker, Hume, Leishman, Harris, Withers, Havermans, Kellaway Subs used: McCoy, Smith, Goodey.
|
|