RPM Records Supplementary Challenge Cup
Round 2
Didcot Town 3 Binfield 0
Saturday, 25 January 2003
An under-strength Binfield made the trip to the plush surroundings of Premier league Didcot for this second round tie in the RPM Records Supplementary Cup, producing a hard-working performance before going down to a 3-0 defeat.
Availability and injury problems deprived the ?Moles? of their leading goalscorers, Mick Havermans and Nick Kellaway, in attack. Kellaway picked up a hairline fracture of the foot early in December in the local-derby with Bracknell Town. Since then the young striker has played four games in discomfort, before a trip to the hospital this week finally diagnosed the problem. Midfield playmaker Carl Withers and the tricky Kris Day, nursing a groin strain, were also unavailable, along with regular right-back Ricky Hume, who had a minor eye operation this week, as the ?Moles? playing resources were stretched to their limits. Paul Martin and Paul Leishman received late call-ups from the Reserves and lined-up alongside new-signing Lee Herron, playing his first full-game. Justin Day, brother of the other two, was drafted in upfront for a debut appearance. Another new face, Ben Keepax, was signed in time to take a place on the bench, where he joined Lee Kitching, also called up from the Reserves, and coach Dave Evans, who was once again hoping not to be called into action.
Didcot, too, made several changes to their line-up for the tie, but their attack was still led by Ian Concannon, 34 goals in all competitions this season to date and by far the leading scorer in the Hellenic League. Liam Byfield transferred on the day of the match from Wootton Bassett Town made his debut.
The opening exchanges were cagey with Didcot moving the ball around neatly. Left-back Emsden, in only his second appearance for the home team, was to be a thorn in the Binfield side all game. As early as the second minute he broke clear down the left to deliver a dangerous cross resulting in Johnson firing over from eighteen yards. Didcot were exploiting the channel ball behind the full backs and on 5 minutes Hoey went clear on the Binfield right. Strong, in the Binfield goal, was alert to divert the danger for a corner. Harris was beginning to put his foot in with good effect in the midfield tussle and set Morgan-Jones clear down the left on 8 minutes to produce the ?Moles? first corner. The young full back?s delivery was poor, however, resulting in a Didcot breakaway to produce a corner at the other end. On the quarter-hour mark Harris unceremoniously left his opponent on the ground to open up a counter-attack opportunity. Everyone seemed distracted by the ?injured? player and suddenly the ball was fed through to Concannon, one-on-one with Strong. The keeper saved his placed shot low to his left, but could only divert the ball into the path of the incoming Byfield, who struck home from close range to score on his debut.
Binfield were finding it hard to retain possession and to get bodies forward in support of Day and Smith. Didcot continued to dominate possession and spread the play from flank to flank, with Emsden on the left continuing to look a threat. Harris, Herron and Morgan-Jones combined well down the left wing, before Harris? through-ball to Smith caught the striker offside. Binfield were enjoying a brief spell of superiority on the half-hour. Justin Day held the ball up cleverly on the right before laying the ball off to brother Jason. The through-ball to Smith was met with a last-ditch interception to prevent a chance. Binfield skipper Mark Baker had received several knocks during the course of the game and on 35 was forced to retire from the action. This was another blow for the ?Moles? with no replacement defender on the bench. Lee Kitching came on, at first in midfield, eventually slotting in at right back. Lee Herron had also picked up an ankle injury and on 40 minutes was forced to give way to coach Dave Evans. We knew he?d be OK to half time, but 45 second-half minutes would surely need oxygen supplies ordering at the interval. It looked as if Binfield would weather the disruption the changes caused to their line-up until the interval, but a second Didcot goal cruelly arrived two minutes from the break. Once again it was Emsden bursting clear on the left. Again the cross was cleared seemingly from danger, only for the unlucky Kitching to see his attempted lay-off fall to Byfield. Strong deflected the shot against the crossbar, but the alert Concannon was there to head home the rebound from two yards.
Half Time: 2-0
The pattern of the second-half followed that of the first with Didcot enjoying good possession, building up play patiently, but rarely getting in behind the Binfield defence to cause major concern. ?Moles? attacking forays were rare and Smith was again caught offside after good approach play from Justin Day and Keough. Substitute Rod Dorrian increased Town?s lead 12 minutes after the break. Dorrian, whose career looked over two years ago after suffering a badly fractured leg, beat four players on the edge of Binfield?s penalty area before driving an unstoppable shot past Strong. Bnfield replied immediately with their first strike on target, a speculative long-range volley from Evans, who was showing some deft touches in possession. Keepax replaced Smith in attack for Binfield on 67 and the youngster looked quick and lively. Didcot were comfortably in control, but couldn?t break through a determined rearguard, in which Jason Day was again outstanding, well supported by Keough and Morgan-Jones. Harris, once again, worked tirelessly in midfield. The half was without major incident although Keough received a caution for deliberate handball. Two minutes remained when Binfield had their best opportunity to reduce the arrears. Leishman was put clear down the left, but lifted his shot over the advancing keeper and the crossbar to safety.
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