Binfield U14s  4 : 0 Yately Juniors FC

The start of the 2007/8 season with boys and parents all looking forward with eager anticipation following the summer break. The quality of the squad has been increased with the addition of  Chris Edwards, Robbie Rumble and Dan Kelf and all boded for an improvement on least seasons 4^th place. First league opponents were last season’s runaway winners of Division 3. Binfield came into the game on the back of 2 wins and Joshua Tighe on the back of two hat-tricks.

Team selection was impacted by the absence of Joshua Kelleher plus the loss of George (arm fracture) and Joshua Simmonds (Thigh strain) through injury.  So Binfield were down to 11 men. No room for any more injuries but the substitution strategy headache was at least avoided.

Binfield could have been ahead after just 45 seconds. A through ball from Kieran allowed Josh Tighe to break clear but his effort was comfortably saved by the Yately keeper.

After 4 minutes a ball over the top was picked up by Dan Kelf to put Joshua Tighe through again but last ditch defending managed to hold up the attack and eventually clear the danger.

It was all Binfield at this stage and they deservedly took the lead after just 7 minutes. Kieran winning the bal on the right managed to get to the goal line and cross to Joshua Tighe who calmly stroked the ball into the net. 1-0.

The Binfield midfield dominated and a well struck long range effort from Dan flashed wide of the left hand post. The addition of Chris has added extra tackling strength and no small measure of skill and composure on the ball. It was Dan and Chris Edwards in the centre who harried and chased down everything.

A further Tighe attempt on goal resulted straight from a long kick from Nick in goal which the Yately defence allowed to bounce over their heads but his left footed effort went just by the post.

At the other end it was turning into a quiet day at the office for Nick. The central defensive pairing of Robbie Rumble and Lewis held firm and snuffed out anything that threatened through the middle either on the ground and in the air.  Yately were restricted to one long range effort which though well struck, was comfortably caught by Nick. 

The growing concern was that for all the domination, there was still only one goal in it as half-time approached. But a repeat combination from the previous fixture of Dan and Josh served up another well-worked goal. An inch-perfect cross from the right was met by Joshua and his looping header took the ball up and over the keeper to make it 2-0.

 Half Time 2-0.

Again it was Josh Tighe, working tirelessly who constantly threatened the Yately goal. A through ball from Kieran to Joshua was worked past the last defender and calmly passed wide of the on-rushing ‘keeper. Sealing his hat-trick and his 3^rd in consecutive games, and really it was well-deserved for the effort he has put in. 3-0.

The whole team kept pushing forward. Other notable moments came from Robbie Cleveland, whose mazy run through 3 defenders ended with his well struck left footed shot well held by the ‘keeper.

Dan continued with efforts from long range. One firm effort drilled in was held by the ‘keeper and a free kick was struck cleanly but went high and wide of the goal.

Final word was with Josh Tighe when another ball over the top was met by him and on the first bounce it was well struck and cleared the ‘keeper to make it 4. 4-0

The final minutes were spent with defenders pushing up try and get on the score-sheet but in the end the final whistle came on very good performance. 

Final Score 4-0

In the end this was a win brought about by concentration and determination. The many attacking opportunities were due to the hardworking midfield. The central defence of Robbie Rumble & Lewis with Luke and Sam out wide prevented any real opportunity to threaten the goal. In fact a long range effort and a few corners were the extent of the attacking threat. Up front Joshua Tighe, well supported for the day by Dan Kelf, put in a tireless performance throughout.

It is always pleasing to keep a clean sheet and the foundation of this was a faultless performance of Robbie Rumble and got him the Man of the Match award, Parents Man of the Match going to Joshua Tighe. Though in truth, both awards could have gone to a number of players.

The score-line was satisfying, both the 4 goals and a clean sheet to boot. The winning run continues and we look forward to our first away game as we meet Woodley Saints Lions. The team who ended our cup run last year.

Thanks to all those who turned up to support the boys.