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Late winner settles tie
Binfield are one of several East Berkshire clubs currently struggling to find their best form so far this season. Indeed they, like visitors Prestwood, languish close to the foot of the Hellenic (Division One East) League. On paper then, this Linaker Insurance Group sponsored Challenge Cup tie looked perfectly balanced with little to separate between the two teams.
The match reflected this with few shots on target and with neither side taking control. The stalemate was broken two minutes from the end when Dave Fenton slid the ball past the advancing keeper sending the Moles through with a trip to Shortwood United in the first round proper. Mrs W greeted this defining moment with a wry smile (having escaped the prospect of extra time and, dare I say it, penalties!).
The Moles impressive programme is one of the best I have seen so far this season. You must get a copy because it really is superb! Credit must go to editor Rob Jones who pens a massive forty pages, all of which are neatly laid out in full colour. With the match details on the front cover there is everything to keep an enthusistic hopper happy for days! The content provides the latest club news, history, press talk, league round up, a wealth of statistics (fixtures, results, tables and players' records) as well as four pages of action photos! Even the player profiles contain a mini colour thumbnail of each squad member. Awesome!
Binfield first played in 1892 during the reign of Queen Victoria making it one of the oldest clubs in the country. The early years were spent in the Ascot and District League where the club won the prestigious Fielden Cup in 1924 (and have managed to lift the trophy on no fewer than twelve occasions since). They joined the Great Western Combination League and became champions after the war in 1947. During that time the Moles added the Berks and Bucks Junior Cup and the Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup in front of 1000 plus crowds at their former Forest Road ground. In 1950 Binfield joined the Reading and District League taking the First Division title in 1both 972 and 1976.
By 1980 the club moved to their present base at Stubbs Lane. Progress on the field came eight years later as the team reached the final of the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup but conceded in extra time to finish as runners-up. They joined the high-profile Charrington Chiltonian League the following season winning the Division One title at the first attempt. An appearance in the Reading Senior Cup Final ended in defeat losing to Peppard in 1990 and then to Mortimer in 1995. By 2001 the club had merged with Binfield Forest, a move which significantly increased the local membership. Now more than 20 teams play every weekend. Last year Bracknell Forest Borough Council approved planning permission for floodlights to be installed at the ground.
Stubbs Lane is, literally, out in the sticks. It is set in a beautiful rural local location just outside the village but within easy acces of Bracknell, Reading and Wokingham. The main facilites are perched at the top of an embankment which overlook the playing area below. The pitch runs from end to end and has a post and rail perimeter fence with many advertising banners attached to it, suggesting clearly that there are strong business links with the local community. Everything is lovingly painted in red (the club colours) including the large welcome sign outside, the clubhouse and even the goal nets! Although there is no cover at pitch side, the veranda on the clubhouse would provide adequate shelter for spectators in poorer weather. Thankfully, this wasn't needed today as the game was played in glorious sunshine, the rays of light adding a touch of beauty to the golden leaves on the surrounding trees. Oh the joys of autumn hopping!
Refreshments were available from an outside catering van parked next to the club house. This operated for most of the afternoon and the 'larger than life' proprietor served, amongst other tasty treats on his vast menu, a rather mean, stomach-busting, bacon, sausage and egg roll for the princely sum of just £2!!
VIsitors to Binfield can reach the club from either the M3 or M4. From the Coppid Beech roundabout on the A329(M) follow the road (B3408) up the hill towards Binfield. Keep straight on at the mini roundabout and, at the traffic lights, turn left into St Marks Road and follow the sign to Binfield. Keep straight (along Terrace Road North and South), over a mini roundabout, and past the Victoria Arms on the right. Keep straight, over a mini roundabout, and past the the Jack O' Newbury on the left. At the T junction in front of All Saints Church turn right. Follow the road for 400 yards and immediately before the bend at the crest of the hill, take the left hand lane (Stubbs Lane). Follow the lane for 100 yards. Fork first left, and Binfield FC is 50 yards along the track.
This is a friendly well-run club. A visit to Binfield FC comes highly recommended to all travellers. And if any paper chasers out there were wondering, I have just finished reading the programme!! Great stuff!
FGIF Rating: 4* | 