Division One (East)
Binfield 3 Letcombe FC 0
Saturday, 09 November 2002
Binfield finally found a second-half groove to sweep past Letcombe at Stubbs Lane. Coming off a great victory against Maidenhead the previous week, the mood was confident and relaxed on the resumption of the League programme. Unfortunately, that relaxed mood was transparent throughout a lacklustre first-half display.
The tempo in the opening period was only occasionally raised by the 'Moles' and, while never looking like conceding, creative openings were at a premium. The home back four switched play well, but with no great pace or urgency to the play, which led to the final ball falling short or finding players closed down. Nick Kellaway was a bright spark, trying to inspire Binfield with a hard-working display up and down the left flank, looking to cut inside whenever the opportunity arose. It was midway through the first-half before Binfield opened their account. Good work down the right by Kris Day saw him find Mick Havermans, who headed the wide-man's cross back across goal for the incoming Danny Harris to head home.
Half Time: 1-0.
Some stern words at half time from the management left the home side in no doubt those standards must improve in the second-half or changes would follow. The youthful Letcombe, too, came out to play more in the second period, attempting to pressure the home defence. By now, Binfield were raising the tempo, moving the ball quicker and chances began to occur. Club captain, Mark 'Batesy' Baker, was brought into the action along with Attila Fodor, making his debut on the left of midfield after some good performances in the reserves. Shortly after the changes, Baker was in goal-making action as he headed on Kris Day's corner to Havermans, who made no mistake with his header. Next it was Fodor's turn to impress. Following a pacy run down the left a whipped cross found Havermans, once again belying his years with a diving header. Sound defence, with Keith Strong deputising assuredly in goal for the absent Walkington and Harvey, allied to a solid back four and some hard-working displays throughout, including good performances from Osborne and Harris in midfield, saw the 'moles' maintain their challenge at the top end of the table.
Binfield?s reserves, finalists in last year?s Anagram Records Cup, went out at the first hurdle, losing 3-1 at local rivals Finchampstead. Finch is playing in a higher division this year, but there was little to choose between them in the first-half, with Binfield?s makeshift side having the better chances. Three breakaway goals from Wanless and the veteran Hobbs (2) for the home team won the tie. Simon Lee was on the mark for the ?Moles?.
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