Division One (East)
Prestwood 2 Binfield 1
Saturday, 22 February 2003
Wheels come off Binfield 'promotion bus' at lowly Prestwood
For the second successive Saturday Binfield succumbed to lower-placed opposition. This time it was Prestwood's turn to put a spoke in Binfield's wheels as the travelling 'Moles' produced another below-par display. Two goals in a minute before the interval provided Prestwood with a platform for victory and even the good fortune of a hotly-disputed, twice-taken penalty late on could not help Binfield salvage anything from the wreckage. Boss, Glenn Duggleby, will be glad to have missed this one, due to a holiday in Orlando. Unfortunately, in sunny Buckinghamshire, 'Moles' fans saw a very different version of Mickey Mouse entertainment today.
Binfield reverted to 4-4-2 with Johnny Norris handed a debut on the left side of midfield. Nick Kellaway was preferred to John Smith in attack and Lee Herron took Danny Oliphant's place in centre midfield. Mysteriously Oliphant failed to appear for the game, so coach Dave Evans dusted off his boots for a place on the bench. The opening stages produced a scrappy affair with Prestwood looking the sharper of the two teams. Skipper Eden was coming off the Binfield central defenders and combining well with young strike-partner Henney, whose pace, trickery and movement caused the 'Moles' problems all afternoon. Binfield seemed strangely subdued in the first period with only skipper Baker's running 'discussion' with keeper Strong providing evidence of some passion in the ranks. The strained relationship was not helped in the tenth minute when Strong rolled the ball to Baker on the edge of his own box, only for the centre-back to be quickly closed down by Eden and Henney. Fortune favoured Binfield and the danger was cleared, but this was one of several occasions during the opening half when Binfield's last man was caught in possession. Prestwood were particularly dangerous on the counter. On 11 minutes Herron was dispossessed on the edge of the home box. The ball was fed quickly up to Henney who turned Baker on halfway. Only a tremendous tackle by Jason Day prevented the youngster running half the pitch to open the scoring. Binfield's rare forays forward foundered on very poor quality crossing, which was to be a feature of their first-half.
Havermans observed to his teammates that it looked as if Binfield were waiting for Prestwood to score first. Certainly the home side were looking much the more dangerous outfit. A long throw down the left saw Henney elude Hume to race in on goal, but the Irishman got back to block the effort. Next Eden escaped the clutches of Day on the left edge of the box and his cutback caused a goalmouth scramble that Binfield managed to get clear. On 25 minutes it was Harris' turn to be robbed as last man. Once again Henney was the ball thief and this time he dragged his shot into the side netting with only Strong to beat. Morgan-Jones and Harris both delivered fine balls down the left channel for Kellaway to run onto, but on both occasions the final ball proved comfortable for Slattery in the home goal. On 36 minutes Binfield stood and watched as Prestwood opened their account. A throw-in on the right, midway in the 'Moles' half, found midfielder Wright completely unmarked. He released Henney down the right wing and continued his run into the box to get on the end of Henney's cross. Wright's header from ten yards flew over Strong's despairing arms into the top of the net. Within a minute a second goal arrived. Cox picked up the ball on the left wing in a deep position and ran at pace at the Binfield defence. Leaving Kris Day trailing in his wake, Cox then skipped past Hume and cut back to the edge of the box to Letham, whose shot was going wide of Strong's left hand post, but James Tilbury had made good ground from midfield to slide in at the back post to turn the ball home. Binfield replied with a free kick on the edge of the box taken by Morgan-Jones. His curled effort was tipped over by Slattery to safety.
Half Time: 2-0
The second period opened with Prestwood again on the offensive. Baker brought down Eden on the edge of the box, but Strong easily held Henney?s strike from the kick. At the other end, Kellaway flashed an effort wide of the upright as Binfield appealed in vain for the corner. The game was now becoming stretched and moved from end to end. First Cox and Letham combined well in the Binfield box to force a corner. Then Kris Day's jinking run ended with a foul on the right-angle edge of the home box. Morgan-Jones well struck free kick around the wall produced an excellent diving save from Slattery. From the resulting corner, Norris kick landed invitingly in the six-yard box for Hume, but the full back couldn't connect with the half volley. The ball was cleared as far as Kris Day, who shot over from eighteen yards. Smith replaced Kris Day as Binfield increased their striking options; Kellaway moved to left-midfield with Norris switching to the right. Indeed it was Smith who had the ball in the net on 69 minutes from another Norris corner, but the referee wiped it off for a foul on the keeper. On 73, Woozley replaced Herron in midfield as Binfield looked for fresh legs to help their cause. Harris then picked up a caution for comments to the referee after a challenge. Norris was released on the right to set Harris free on 75 minutes. Running into the box Harris shot was tipped wide by Slattery. Binfield were pressing hard now, pushing men forward, and Hume was caught in possession just inside the home half. Robinson was released on the counter but couldn't chip Strong in the resulting one-on-one. Then on 77 Binfield was handed a lifeline. Smith, finding Kellaway centre-edge of the box, flicked on, first by Havermans and a long ball then. The challenge on the young striker seemed harmless enough as he went to ground, but to everyone's surprise the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Scoring penalties has been a problem all season and Morgan-Jones was given the 'honour' this time. His first attempt was struck low to Slattery's left and the keeper produced a fine save. The assistant had seen an infringement, however, so up stepped 'MJ' for a second time to drive it straight and low into the net. Binfield were battling hard now, with Baker working strenuously to break up Prestwood possession as far upfield as possible. Strong had to be brave, diving in at feet, as a right-wing driven cross produced danger in the goalmouth. For all Binfield's huff-and-puff chances were still at a premium. On 88, Kellaway was fouled again on the left-edge of the box. His kick was saved by the keeper and, in the ensuing melee, Harris' attempted chip from the edge of the area floated high over the bar. This was to be the last chance to snatch a point, which would have been hard on Prestwood.
The 'Moles' second half display was definitely an improvement, with more passion and better quality on the crosses, but they still looked pedestrian compared to their early season form. One thing's for sure - you cannot expect to take points if you only play for 45 minutes. Answers needed on a postcard and quickly please!
|
|