Author: Moley

The official mascot of Binfield Football Club. I do website posts, newsletters and digging.
Josh Helmore. Binfield FC 2021-22. Photo: Neil Graham / ngsportsphotography.com

Binfield face Josh Helmore reunion

Binfield fans will come up against a familiar face when they visit Northwood in the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division One on Tuesday night.

Josh Helmore – a vital part of the Moles run to the FA Vase Final – should be in the squad for the home side when the Moles head to the Northwood Park Stadium.

Helmore’s goals helped fire the Moles to promotion to Step 4 and the Vase final over three seasons at Hill Farm Lane, he made the move to Northwood in December 2021 after scoring eight goals in 16 Isthmian League games.

Binfield FC at Wembley for the FA Vase Final. Photo: Neil Graham.
Binfield FC at Wembley for the FA Vase Final. Photo: Neil Graham.

The forward was part of the terrifying-rotating forward line of Sean Moore, Asa Povey, Liam Ferdinand and Ollie Harris that very much put our village club on the map.

Of course Josh wasn’t only ever a Binfield player, he had spells with Bracknell Town, Thatcham Town and Berkhamstead, but certainly, this underground dweller feels we very much saw the best of him at Hill Farm Lane.

It’ll be great to say hello again this evening and it should be an enthralling match. Northwood are duking it out in the play-off race and that’d definitely somewhere we’d like to be.

Match Preview: Northwood FC – Away

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Binfield add Steve Ngunga from Bedfont Sports

Binfield boss Garry Haylock has confirmed the signing of wide right attacker Steve Ngunga from Bedfont Sports.

The Moles boss made the move having watched Ngunga on several occasions this season, and been impressed particularly in games against the Moles.

Haylock said: “He’s a wide right player, he was at my old club Hayes & Yeading United during pre-season and played a couple of games. I liked the look of him then, and he’s been turning out for Bedfont Sports this season.

“I spoke to the Hayes manager who I know about him, and the Bedfont boss as well after he played against us. We’re a little light in the wide areas so Steve coming in is a big boost for us.”

Last season, 18-year-old Ngunga’s time with Rising Ballers Kensington reportedly made him a target of several professional English clubs following a trial with Standard Liege.

Binfield host Guernsey on Tuesday night where a win could see the Moles leapfrog Chertsey Town into the play-off places. Tickets are available in advance online here, the match kicks off at 7:45pm.

Lead image via Bedfont Sports website.

Binfield's u18s very much looking the part.

Binfield’s Allied Counties Youth League side are back with a bang in 2023

Binfield’s Allied Counties Youth League side earned their second win of the season on Valentine’s Night as the Moles took three points away at Godalming Town.

Leo Reed was the name on the scoresheet as the young Moles won their first competitive game of 2023 – earning a home and away league double over their Surrey neighbours.

An extended Christmas break for the side – enforced largely by the weather – will hopefully have given the team time to work on the training pitch and the win will certainly be a confidence boost ahead of the visit to title-chasing Westfield on Monday night.

In the Thames Valley Premier League Division Three, the Moles Development side were again without a game – but even without playing their grip on the division title tightened after nearest challengers Henley Town were beaten 3-2 by bottom side Marlow United Reserves.

Ryan Millward. Photo: Colin Byers.
Ryan Millward. Photo: Colin Byers.

The vets team’s own grip on the Farnham & District Sunday Football League Vets Division One title loosened a little after a 2-2 draw with Ropley.

Ryan Millward scored twice for Binfield but it wasn’t enough as elsewhere Milford & Witley closed the gap at the top to seven points despite not playing – they were awarded the tie against Headley Veterans.

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Match Preview: Guernsey FC – Home

Guernsey FC

The game are coming thick and fast in February, this is the 6th game of the month and it is the second of the month against Guernsey FC.

Matchday: February 21, 2023
Kickoff: 7:45 pm

ABOUT GUERNSEY FC

Guernsey Football Association has existed for nearly 130 years but Guernsey FC only joined the England Football Period in 2011. They were the first team from the Channel Islands to join a mainland league – Jersey and then the Isle of Man have since followed suit.

They initially joined the Combined Counties Football League Division One which they won in their first season and gained promotion to the Premier League. After only one season in this division, they were promoted to Isthmian League Division One South. They have played at this level since – losing out in the playoffs in the 2013–14 season.

HEAD TO HEAD

In the corresponding fixture last season, the score was 1-1 with Liam Tack scoring a penalty. The reverse fixture at Footes Lane finished with the Moles beating the Green Lions 3-1.

Ten days ago the Green Lions beat the Moles 2-0 away in Guernsey.

Moles come into this game with their 2-0 defeat to Tooting & Mitcham. Guernsey played leaders Basingstoke and lost 4-2. Going into the game, the Moles are 6th in the league whilst Guernsey are sitting 18th.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased on the gate. We take both cash and cards on the gate.

Prices are;

  • Adults: £10
  • Concession: £5
  • Under 16: £1

About Hill Farm Lane

The club house and changing rooms at Hill Farm Lane. Photo: C2 Photography.

Hill Farm Lane is a modern non-league football ground with parking on site, disabled access and more including:

  • Licenced bar
  • Tea bar serving hot and cold food
  • Disabled access to pitch side
  • Toilets
  • Standing and seated covered areas to watch the match
  • Card payments taken on the gate, in the bar and at the tea bar.

There are over 100 spaces available to park at the ground.

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Match Preview: Thatcham Town FC – Home

Thatcham Town FC

Following the long away trip to Guernsey which they lost 3-1, the Moles are back in home action with a game against Thatcham Town FC.

Matchday: February 14th, 2023
Kickoff: 7:45 pm

About Thatcham Town FC

Thatcham Town Football Club was founded in 1894, playing friendly matches only for the first two years at “The Marsh” in Thatcham, England. The club joined the Reading Temperance League in 1896 and remained in this league for the next 57 years, winning Division Two in 1905–06 and winning the Reading Town Senior Cup and the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup in 1935-36.

Thatcham became a founder member of the Hellenic League in 1953 and won the Hellenic League Championship and the Premier Division Cup in 1974-75. The club was awarded the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup by default after a dispute between their opponent and the Berks & Bucks FA. Thatcham moved to Waterside Park during the 1992-93 season and under the management of Jim Greenwood, the club went 33 games unbeaten in 1994-95 and won the Wessex League Cup.

In 1995-96, Thatcham won the league title and reached the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. In 2002-03, the club was awarded the FA Community Standard Charter. Thatcham joined the Southern League in 2005-06 and won the Basingstoke Senior Cup in 2008-09. Thatcham won The Basingstoke Senior Cup in 2011 and won the FA Vase in 2018. After eight seasons in the Southern Football League, Thatcham was placed in the Hellenic Football League Premier Division.

Head To Head

Last season, the corresponding fixture ended in a 2-2 draw whilst the away fixture was a 1-0 for the Moles. Earlier this season, the Moles beat Thatcham 4-0 away at Waterside Park.

The Moles come into this game with a 3-1 defeat away at Guernsey whilst Thatcham drew 2-2 at home to Westfield. The Moles in the playoffs in 5th position on 41 points whilst Thatcham are 11th on 34 points.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online and on the gate. We take both cash and cards on the gate.

Prices are;

  • Adults: £10
  • Concession: £5
  • Under 16: £1

About Hill Farm Lane

The club house and changing rooms at Hill Farm Lane. Photo: C2 Photography.

Hill Farm Lane is a modern non-league football ground with parking on site, disabled access and more including:

  • Licenced bar
  • Tea bar serving hot and cold food
  • Disabled access to pitch side
  • Toilets
  • Standing and seated covered areas to watch the match
  • Card payments taken on the gate, in the bar and at the tea bar.

There are over 100 spaces available to park at the ground.

Binfield FC Junior Tournament. Photo: Rob Mack / Shooting Stars.

Binfield Junior Football 5 a-side Tournament 2023

Saturday 13th May and Sunday 14th May, 2023

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the annual Binfield Football Club Junior Tournament, 2023. Applications will be processed on a “first come, first served” basis. The closing date for applications will be Friday, 21st April 2023.

We are pleased this year to be hosting a ‘girls only tournament’ at age groups U10s and U12s on Sunday 14th May!

All age groups will operate a 5-a-side tournament and will be open to boys and girls teams in the age groups U7 through U13 (mixed sex teams welcome), and girls only teams in the age groups U10 & U12.

Entry Fee: £45 per team Maximum squad size 8 players.

Schedule – Timings To Be Confirmed

Saturday 13th May 2023Sunday 14th May 2023
U07 Boys (mixed) (5-a-side) 20 placesU08 Boys (mixed) (5-a-side) 20 places
U09 Boys (mixed) (5-a-side) 20 placesU10 Boys (mixed) (5-a-side) 20 places
U11 Boys (mixed) (5-a-side) 20 placesU10 Girls (girls only) (5-a-side) 10 places
U13 Boys (mixed) (5-a-side) 20 placesU12 Girls (girls only) (5-a-side) 10 places
U12 Boys (mixed) (5-a-side) 20 places

Online Entry For The Tournament

Entry & payment via link – www.tournify.uk/live/binfieldfc or use the QR code below

Your place will only be confirmed once the payment process is completed AND you have received an email confirming that your payment has been received. Previous tournaments were over-subscribed so it is advisable to complete your online registration and make your payment as soon as possible. The deadline for entries is Friday 21st April 2023.

Start times and rules of the tournament will be provided following acceptance of your entry, but please note that our annual competitions start at 9:00am and could finish as late at 5:30pm on each day and that your age group may have an early start, or a late finish.

Please note that the Bracknell Half Marathon will be taking place on the morning of Sunday 14th May 2023 with various road closures in place. Please allow extra time for your journey.

We look forward to welcoming you and thank you in advance, for continuing to support our Binfield Junior Football Tournament.

Nicola Pottinger, Tournament Director, Binfield Junior Football Tournament
Email address for any enquiries: Tournament@binfieldfc.com

Appendix

To clarify, a place may be reserved at any time, however, it will only be confirmed once full payment has been received. Entries will be based on a ‘first come – first served’ basis, with fully paid entries taking priority over unpaid reserved teams.

Tournament entry numbers are being reduced for this year, so we would suggest that you get your paid entry to us as soon as you are able:

  • 20 places will be made available in the boys (mixed sex) age groups U7, U8, U9 U10, U11, U12 & U13.
  • 10 places will be made available in the girls only age groups U10 & U12.

Refunds will be given if a replacement team can be found in the event that a confirmed team needs to cancel, or if Binfield Football Club cancels the event.

Subject to the number of teams that register, we aim for teams in each age group, with the exception of U7’s, to play 8 games in 2 phases (each game being 8 mins in duration). The U7 Boys will play, subject to the number of teams registered, 4 games (each game being 12 mins in duration).

Goals will be either 8’ x 4’(U7’s only) or 12’ x 6’ (all other age groups).

Car Parking

Car parking will be available in one of our car parks which are a 2 – 5 minute walk to the pitches. Disabled parking for blue badge holders will be available in the clubhouse car park with wheelchair access to the pitches. Please allow plenty of time to park your car as the narrow lanes close to the club do get extremely busy at the tournament registration times.

Car parking will be £5 to include a program and free access to the Binfield Junior Tournament app.
Timings.

Please be aware that your age group may need to register from 08:30 and start games at 09:00, or may finish at 17:00/17:30.

Sean moore

When were teams in the Isthmian South Central Division formed?

The Moles were established in 1892 by employees at the local brickworks and farm labourers – making them 131 years young but that got Moley thinking, how old are the other teams in our league – the Isthmian League South Central Division ?

TeamYear Formed
Ashford Town (Middx)1958
Basingstoke Town1896
Bedfont Sports2002
Binfield1892
Chertsey Town1890
Chipstead1906
Guernsey2011
Hanworth Villa1976
Leatherhead1907
Marlow1870
Merstham1892
Northwood1926
Southall1871
South Park1897
Sutton Common Rovers1978
Thatcham Town1894
Tooting & Mitcham United1932
Uxbridge1871
Walton & Hersham1945
Westfield1953

So that makes Marlow the Grandaddy of the league as they were formed in 1870, closely followed by Southall and Uxbridge who were formed the following year.

The babies of the league are Bedfont Sports and Guernsey who were formed in 2002 and 2011 respectively. Does that make them the Gen Z-ers?

Binfield u12 Pumas

U12 Pumas – ‘A well played team win’

Saturday morning’s early kick off started with Binfield Pumas against a promoted Reading AFC side.
Research into Reading AFC was a little hard due to having a mixture of results against some of the league’s established teams already this season.

The game started at 100 mph seeing some exceptional passing through the pitch which resulted in the Pumas scoring three goals inside of five minutes and adding a fourth just after ten minutes on the clock.
There was a dominant display in all thirds of the pitch from the Pumas but a long ball caught them off guard and allowed Reading to grab a goal to give them a lift for the effort that had put in.

Half time came with Pumas coming in leading at 5-1.

Kick off for the second started and again Pumas picked up where they left off adding yet another goal to keep the pressure on Reading AFC.

Reading AFC kept going and again their efforts see them grabbing another goal with some very quick passing which caught out the Pumas.

The final score ended 7-2 to Binfield Pumas.

A great team performance which was met by compliments from the Reading AFC Managers.

Report by Lewis Pike – Manager

Jake Fisher.

Jake Fisher’s hat-trick keeps Binfield clear in TVPL, Lynch strikes on debut to earn a point

Binfield’s Development u23 side have started 2023 with a bang and two wins in their two Thames Valley League Premier Division Three fixtures to date.

A 3-1 win at home to Hambleden Stags was music to the ears with goals from Sam Applegarth, Connor Gonzalez and Michael Croker, and the team followed that win up with a 10-1 demolition of 10-man Farnham Royal Mavericks who had Zachary Maynard sent off.

Jake Fisher got a hat-trick in that game while there was a brace for Gonzalez and Reegan Basilio Artman, Max Reid and Jack Kittelsen also got on the scoresheet.

Up next for the Moles is a home tie with Richings Park at Kings Academy on the 11th February (2pm).

Allied Counties under 18s will be eager to get back to it

The Allied Counties side have been kicking their heels since their last competitive fixture on the 6th December, and there is still a wait for the young Moles before they are back in action.

14th February will be the ‘big day’ as a return to action sees them head to Godalming Town followed by a quick-fire double at Westfield on the 20th and Ascot United on the 28th February.

First team held by Southall

A point was a good return following a disappointing midweek defeat to Basingstoke Town and it was of course new-signing Conor Lynch who got the goal following a mistake by goalkeeper Berkley Laurencin that Lynch was alert enough to pounce on.

At the other end, Luke Heneghan levelled things up just before half-time, looping a strike over Harvey Rackley-Hayes and Southall held out despite being reduced to 10-men for the final 11 minutes when Kevin Diomande was sent off.

Binfield are next in action at home on Tuesday night when they host Uxbridge at Hill Farm Lane | Tickets | Preview

Binfield 0-0 (AET Binfield win 5-4 pens) - FA Vase 2nd round - 21st Nov 2011. Photo by Colin Byers.

Binfield FC in the FA Vase: 2009 – 2012

Binfield Football Clubs’ brilliant 2021 run in the FA Vase was our thirteenth Buildbase FA Vase season (and last, for now at least) since first entering the competition in 2008/09, and it ended in a historic Wembley final with Binfield only the second side from Berkshire ever to get this far. 

Having first played football during the reign of Queen Victoria in 1892, Binfield spent their early years in the Ascot &  District League, with their highest early years honours winning the Fielden Cup, first in 1924, followed by another thirteen victories – most recently Binfield’s reserves won, then retained the Fielden Cup in 2015 and 2016. During 40  years from 1950 in the Reading & District league, the Moles made the big decision in 1980 to move from sharing the Binfield Cricket ground in Forest Road to their current home at Hill Farm Lane – which set the club on the path to where they stand today. Several of those members who started out at the Hill Farm Lane facility by draining and levelling the land before building the club’s first dedicated clubhouse, will be at Wembley on 21st May, enjoying the culmination of all their work. 

2001 and a merger

In 2001, Binfield merged with Binfield’s junior club, Binfield Forest FC, and in doing so significantly increased the membership with 35+ teams playing every weekend these days and a thriving Soccer School. The junior part of the club is very important to Binfield with FA Charter status having been achieved in 2007 and in 2013 the Moles had a first taste of Wembley after being awarded the Berks & Bucks FA and South East Regional FA Charter Status Community Club of the Year awards, culminating in the club being invited to the FA Community Shield in August 2013.  

Back to 2008 and by this time, the Moles were well established in the FTL Hellenic Division 1 East. Meanwhile, off the field, ambitions picked up pace with a 120-seater stand and floodlights added to Hill Farm Lane – providing the platform for the next step in non-league football – along with the possibility to enter the FA Cup and FA Vase. The Moles won the FTL Hellenic League  Division 1 East title in 2008-09 and gained promotion to the next level of English football, where they finished runners up in 2010/11 Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division – their highest league position at the time, before 2021s Hellenic League title and promotion to Step 4. 

August 15th 2009 will long be remembered as Binfield’s first game in the legendary, famous FA Cup, although Colliers Wood United were to make that a short first run with a 5-3 win. Better runs were to follow.

A first run at Wembley in 2008

The Moles first entered The FA Vase in 2008/9 – and won through 3 rounds, beating Wantage Town 2-1, followed by a 1-1 draw away at Fareham Town in the First Round Proper, before Carl Withers hit the winner in a 3-2 replay victory. Frimley Green ended the Moles first season in the Vase, winning 1-0. 

Binfield 0-0 (AET Binfield win 5-4 pens) - FA Vase 2nd round - 21st Nov 2011. Photo by Colin Byers.
Binfield 0-0 (AET Binfield win 5-4 pens) – FA Vase 2nd round – 21st Nov 2011. Photo by Colin Byers.

Into 2009 and the Moles first season in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division and that first foray in the FA Cup. New  Milton Town ensured a short Vase run, ending the Moles hopes with a 2-1 extra-time win. But better was to come… 

Cardiac Risk in the Young

2010/11 saw a decent run – and a sad moment. Bethnal Green United were beaten 2-0 in the Second Qualifying Round before Hillingdon Borough came to Hill Farm Lane and were beaten 3-2. Later that day, the sad news came through that Borough player, Nelson Monhon had sadly passed away from a heart attack, aged just 20. This was to see the start of the Moles support of the “Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)” charity – and a screening programme for all the club’s eligible players. The Moles met Wantage Town once again in the Vase – this time the Hellenic  Premier rivals gained revenge for 2008, with a 3-1 defeat seeing Binfield bow out at the Second Round stage.

Hillingdon Borough were back at Binfield again in October 2011 – and a repeat 3-2 win for the Moles saw them start on their best Vase run to date. A trip to the South Coast at Ringmer saw a dramatic 2-2 draw as ten-man Moles hit back late on. The return at Binfield two days later saw the Moles win 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, with Binfield’s record appearance maker, Withers hitting one of those winning spot kicks.

A heavy FA Vase lesson

That win on penalties was followed by a Third Round 3-1 defeat of this season’s quarter-finalists, Flackwell Heath, which saw the Moles into the national draw for the first time in their history. Unfortunately, a January 2012 Fourth Round trip to Tividale in Birmingham started and ended poorly for the Moles, who were 3-0 down early on, pulled an early second-half goal back to provide some hope – but a late red card saw Tividale run away with the tie, ending in a 7-1 defeat and a long journey home.

That season would end well for the Moles though, winning both the Hellenic Floodlit Cup and the Berks & Bucks  Senior Trophy (9-8 on penalties!) in six glorious April 2012 days – the latter being the club’s highest honours to date.