Division One (East)
Binfield 4 Drayton Wanderers 0
Saturday, 26 April 2003
Havermans hat trick sinks lowly Drayton in family affair.
A Mick Havermans hat trick, in this largely one-sided game, disposed of bottom-placed Drayton Wanderers and the veteran marksman was joined in the celebrations by a first appearance of his 16-year-old son, Joel, in 'Moles' colours. The first time to our recollection that a father and son have appeared together for Binfield.
Both sides tested the opposition keepers? in the opening minutes. Kellaway?s shot for Binfield was gathered at the second attempt by Gray. Burden?s free kick for Drayton proved comfortable for Strong. Strong had been recalled following Isaacs unfortunate slips in the two previous home games. Despite their basement position, Drayton looked lively in the opening exchanges, against a lethargic Binfield team that seemed to be going through the end of season motions. A late linesman?s flag ruled out an early strike for the visitor?s after 5 minutes and a low ball across the face of goal moments later spelled further danger, but no-one was on hand to convert the chance. As Binfield began to exert some dominance in midfield it became clear that Drayton?s defensive tactic was to push up for offside. The overworked assistant was developing cramp in his flag-arm as Binfield continued to be slow in coming to terms with the offside trap. On 17 minutes, Havermans scampered clear on the right, but his low cut back eluded everyone and was cleared to safety. Kellaway, too, got into some good crossing positions, but failed to pick anyone out with the final ball. Havermans again escaped the offside trap on 20 minutes, but could not get the better of Gray. The two exchanged verbal comments after the collision that followed, as the striker offered a hand to the keeper, which was not accepted. A long cross from Wells on the Drayton right, on 21, caused chaos at the back for Binfield with Keough out of position. The finish should have resulted in a goal, but the ball flew wide of the post. Binfield went ahead on 24 minutes. Havermans found himself free inside the area, held off the challenges and coolly slotted home from close-range. Drayton had another good chance to equalise almost immediately, but failed to score when through on Strong. Binfield doubled their advantage on 39 minutes. Again it was Havermans doing the damage inside the box as he latched onto a poor, misplaced back-pass. It looked as if he had delayed his shot too long as he beat several recovering defenders once, then twice. He kept his nerve to finish, but the shake of the head let everyone know he felt he?d made hard work of it. Drayton?s frustrations were mounting and Burden found himself in the referee?s notebook after the half-time whistle had been blown for unnecessary comments.
Half Time: Binfield 2 Drayton 0
As Binfield emerged for the second-half, Kellaway was moved upfront with McCoy being replaced by Paul Martin. McCoy had been strangely subdued during the opening period and Martin?s introduction on the right of midfield proved effective. Kellaway?s pace took him clear on 47 minutes and his cross-shot was just wide of the far post. Kellaway was not to be denied, however, and was on the score sheet on 51 minutes. Keough?s long ball from defence found Havermans? flick-on. Kellaway raced onto it, clear of the last defender and squeezed it past Gray?s left-hand into the net. Drayton player-manager, Carter, was next into the book for a foul on Harris. Withers drove the resulting free kick over the bar. The game was now becoming one-way traffic with Binfield totally in control, but spurning many chances. Martin set off on a mazy run that took him past several challenges, but could not find the quality in the finish to match the run. The game won, Binfield decided to ring the changes. On 72 minutes Baker was replaced by Richard Bond and, on 74, Harris made way for the younger Havermans, Joel, to create a piece of Binfield history. Kellaway became the third yellow card, for dissent. Young Havermans neatly played father through on 77 minutes, but the elder statesman was just wide of the angle of bar and post on this occasion. Havermans hat trick was completed on 82 minutes. Once again Kellaway?s through ball found him unmarked and he neatly slotted to the keeper?s right.
Typical end of season fare for the most part and a comfortable three points for the ?Moles?.
Binfield Reserves blew their chance of clinching second place in the league with a 3-0 reverse at Chalfont Wasps. They must now wait anxiously to see if Martin Baker Sports slip up, unexpectedly, in their last game of the season next Saturday.
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