Binfield 4 vs. Woodley Hammers 3 

A cup quarter final with a full strength squad meant Binfield entered the match hopeful of springing an upset on 1^st division opponents Woodley Hammers. The previous week’s fixture against Crowthorne had given the team a shock, but at least it left us in no uncertain terms that a similar lack-lustre performance would see us dumped out of the cup.

Absentee this week was Dan Kelf. The main concern on the day was Joshua Tighe who was nursing a toe injury.

Weather conditions were bright, and the pitch had obviously benefited from the recent break due to the bad weather though a few sizeable waterlogged rabbit holes needed filling in. We obviously have big rabbits in Binfield.

Woodley kicked off and immediately put Binfield on the back foot. Pinned back in the penalty area the ball was eventually cleared for a corner. The absence of corner flags was noticed and no sooner had the manager turned to get the flags, than the ball was in the back of the net from a Woodley header.0-1

One down after a minute but it could have been two just five minutes later. A last ditch tackle by Robbie Cleveland covering across from left back managed to smother the shot when the goal beckoned.  Corners were the major threat came but Nick coped admirably, either catching or tipping them over the bar.

Binfield tried to get back on level terms and Joshua Tighe, playing a lone role up front, came closest . Battling hard despite his injury he twice managed to break clear of the last line of defence but just missed the target on each occasion.

But it was from another source that the equaliser came. A huge clearance from Nick found Kieran on the right just on the half way line. He took on the Woodley left-back and his pace took him clear and reaching the goal line, first looking up to see who was free he rolled the ball into the path of Simmo who side-footed the ball past the keeper and into the net for a quality goal. 1-1.

Both teams seemed to struggle at the back. Binfield were strangely anxious and frequently made hurried wild clearances. It was just such an attempted clearance that was miss-hit and gifted the ball to the Woodley forward in space and his shot gave Nick no chance.  1-2

Five minutes later a free kick was conceded on the edge of the Binfield penalty area. It was hammered into the wall and ricocheted through the wall to a Woodley forward who smashed the ball not the net. His celebrations were cut short as the ref had blown for him to be off-side.

Nick has had some quiet match but today he had plenty to do. An excellent sequence of saves while the defence seemed to go to sleep kept the deficit down to one, firstly diving bravely at an attackers feet then springing up to block a follow-up effort.

At the other end Joshua Tighe finally got a reward for his efforts. Kieran again from the right delivering a low cross into the box and Joshua was able to hit a low shot past the outstretched keeper. 2-2.

After that it was fairly even as both sides strove to take the lead. Eventually it fell to Binfield. Starting again from the right, but from Sam this time. He pulled the ball across the edge of the penalty area to Chris Edwards whose effort bounced of a defenders leg and thankfully fell to Joshua Tighe. He quickly got the ball under quickly under control and was able to place it past the keeper in the same spot as his earlier effort. 3-2

The rest of the half saw more end to end stuff but no change to score.

Half Time 3-2

A major concern was that Joshua Tighe had to sit out the second half as his toe injury had been exacerbated by his first half efforts. George came on as replacement.

The half time message was clear. Tighten up at the back and a bit more composure. Keep the work-rate up and win the tackles. And that was just how they started.

The first 10 minutes was all Binfield. George’s pace causing real problems for Woodley and the Binfield midfield and defence kept them pinned in their own half. Simon’s corners were well placed for Robbie Rumble and Lewis but were unable to be converted. Throw-ins were bouncing dangerously but Binfield just couldn’t get on the end of them to convert the pressure into a goal.

Against the run of play it was Woodley who scored next to equalise. A break-away through a good passing move down the left culminated in a low cross that was met at the far post by an on-rushing Woodley forward. 3-3.

The game was still open as both teams sought to go ahead. George worked hard and his pace took him clear on a couple of occasions. One effort of note saw him race form the half way line and under pressure he managed to shoot low across the face of the goal but the Woodley keepers finger-tips kept the ball out. Simon was following up and managed to win the ball wide on the left, and he slide the ball back across goal but just out of Georges reach.

A free-kick from Simon just sneaked over the bar when it looked for all the world as if it was going in. Good chances were spurned at either end. First Binfield then Woodley missed clear opportunities to take the lead. As full time approached the nerves were jangling as anxious supporters of both teams looked on.

With just a few minutes to go, a late attacking move from Binfield saw them win a succession of corners on the right. It was Robbie Rumble who hurled another long range effort into the box, the ball was helped on and fell to George on the 6 yard box  who smashed a close range volley into the net to give Binfield the lead and sent the home supporters wild with delight. 4-3

With one minute to go the home supporters were willing the ref to blow for time. When it finally came the relief and cheers from boys and parents alike must have been heard a long way away.

Full-Time: 4-3

This was a terrific result and one which the boys can all feel rightly proud of. The work-rate and effort were a different level from that of the previous week. The character of the side was evident. To come back from being behind so early on, to draw level and then snatch the result in the final minute said a lot for the boys.

However, there is certainly room for further improvement. But playing these sort of games against strong opposition will ensure that it comes. We await to see the draw for the semi-finals

Binfield 1st Half  line-up:   Runham              Haywood         Bardon (c)   Perry Cleveland     Strachan                                Simmonds           C Edwards  S Edwards                        Rumble             Tighe

Binfield 2nd Half  line-up:

Runham              Haywood         Bardon (c)    Perry Cleveland     Strachan               Simmonds    C Edwards S Edwards                   Rumble        Dowling