Daisy Spiers was there to photograph the game against in-form Chertsey Town. The Moles came away as 2-1 winners.
Author: Moley
The official mascot of Binfield Football Club. I do website posts, newsletters and digging.
Match Preview: Chertsey Town FC – Away
After the disappointment of the postponement of the home game against Guernsey on Wednesday evening, the Moles are back on the road with a trip to Chertsey Town FC.
Matchday: January 14, 2023
Kickoff: 3:00 pm
About Chertsey Town FC
Chertsey Football Club was established in 1890, and in 1963 it became a member of the Metropolitan League. After three seasons, they switched to the Spartan League, where they finished second in 1974–75. A year later, they joined the Athenian League and remained there until the league’s dissolution in 1984. After joining the Isthmian League, they were immediately relegated to the Combined Counties League. The club returned at the first opportunity as runners-up. In 1986, the team started a 20-season tenure in the Isthmian League, winning three promotions and suffering three relegations across the divisions.
The Curfews returned to the Combined Counties League in 2006 after the non-league pyramid was reorganised, and they regularly finished in the top half of the standings. Following a disagreement on the appropriateness of the league champion’s stadium for the higher division, Chertsey Town, who came in second place that year, was promoted to the Southern League Division One Central. The club, however, struggled for three seasons before being demoted back to the Combined Counties League. The Curfews won the Combined Counties League Premier Division in 2018–19 with just three defeats, and they also won the FA Vase at Wembley Stadium. The club returned to the Isthmian League in 2019 but saw the first two seasons curtailed.
Head To Head
Last season, the game at Hill Farm Lane ended 0-0 whilst the reverse fixture at Alwyns Lane ended with a 2-0 defeat for the Moles.
This season, the teams played out a 1-1 draw in the second game of the season back in August.
The clubs are close in the league. Chertsey sit in 5th place with 35 points after 19 games whilst the Moles are two places below in 7th with 31 points after 17 games.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the gate or in advance via Fanbase.
Prices are;
- Adults: £10
- Concession: £7
- Under 18: £2
Ground
Address: Chertsey Town Football Club, Alwyns Lane, Chertsey, KT16 9DW
Nearest Station: Chertsey which is a 15 minute walk from the ground.
Match Preview: Guernsey FC – Home
THIS GAME HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO A WATERLOGGED PITCH. ANY TICKETS BOUGHT IN ADVANCE WILL BE VALID FOR THE RESCHEDULED FIXTURE.
This game is the rescheduled match that was originally due to take place on the 15th November 2022.
Matchday: January 11, 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.
Moles come into this game with their 4-0 win over Ashford Town on Friday night. Guernsey played Thatcham Town on Sunday and lost 1-0 in front of a bumper crowd of 532. Going into the game, the Moles are 7th in the league whilst Guernsey are sitting 20th.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the gate or in advance via Ticketpass. We take both cash and cards on the gate.
Prices are;
- Adults: £8
- Concession: £5
- Under 16: £1
About Hill Farm Lane
Address: Hill Farm Lane, Bracknell RG42 5NR
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
There are over 200 spaces available to park at the ground.
Binfield’s Allied Counties side ‘secure’ with new sponsor
If you’ve seen the Moles under 18 side out and about in recent weeks you’ll have probably thought to yourself: ‘Don’t they look smart’.
And you’d be right. They do. Thanks in no small part to a Reading-based cyber-security firm called proofpoint based in Green Park.
Secured by David Price, the firm is sponsoring our Allied Counties Youth League sides new matchday tracksuits and training tops ensuring the lads look the part in their on and off field efforts this season.
Binfield would like to thank proofpoint for their support of our youngsters this season.
You can find out more about proofpoint and the work they do to protect people and defend data via their website www.proofpoint.com/uk
A world full of Moles – Binfield FC around the globe
Here at my digital Molehill I like to keep my paws on the pulse of all things Binfield FC. I like to think I am a Mole of the world.
I see kids in the village in the red kits heading to games at the weekend, I see supporters in scarves and hats. Sometimes I even see Moles as far away as Bracknell when I pop on the bus for important Moley business.
But this week, one of them clever fella’s that looks at numbers all day told me he had a map from something called Google Analytics and it suggested there were people interested in Binfield FC from as far away as Wales.
And then he told me there were people in the USA. And India. And South Africa.
Now I know what you are thinking, this is mad. The internet is broken. But then I thought ‘what if!’ What if there were Moles supporters in Canada? Or an ex-player in Papau New Guinea? Perhaps you are in Bombay and thought Binfield was a funny name (it is a bit). Whatever your reason, it would be really nice to know about.
Why not send us a digital postcard? We’ll feature them on our website:
Binfield FC goals so far in 2022/23
It’s been a busy season so far of net-busters as Binfield have scored regularly across the Isthmian League, FA Cup and FA Trophy.
Now you can watch a selection of the strikes from the likes of Sean Moore, Massimo Giamattei, Liam Gavin, Brandon Curtis, Johnny Efedje and Taylor Morgan in one place.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel as we add more content.
Mad January for Binfield FC as FIVE home fixtures loom
It’s a very happy New Year for Binfield supporters with no less than five home fixtures for the First Team across January 2023.
What with a number of postponements in January including Basingstoke Town and Uxbridge, those games have been moved into what is now a hectic opening month of 2023 for Garry Haylock’s men.
The Moles will play Ashford Town, Guernsey, Uxbridge, Hanworth Villa and Basingstoke at Hill Farm Lane with a further two matches away at Chertsey Town and Bedfont Sports.
See a full list of fixtures for Binfield here.
Three of the matches are against teams above the Moles in the league table so offer a great opportunity for the team to climb the table – the games against Basingstoke and Southall stand out as plumb ties and tests.
All games are Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division One ties and are available for advance online ticket purchase in our ticket store here.
Tickets from postponed matches
A note for visiting fans, any supporters who purchased tickets for the original ties that were postponed will not need to purchase a new ticket, simply show your existing purchase at the gate for the re-arranged game.
Match Preview: Ashford Town (Middx) FC – Home
As we move into the New Year, we have our first home game against Ashford Town (Middx) FC
Matchday: January 6, 2023
Kickoff: 7:45 pm
About Ashford Town (Middx) FC
The club was established in 1958 as Ashford Albion and joined Division Two of the Hounslow & District League. They were promoted to the Premier Division in 1964 when they adopted they current name.
They joined the Combined Counties in 1990, the same year that they add Middx to their name to avoid confusion with a club in Kent that shared the same name. They finished as runners-up in 1993–94, and won the league the following season. They then went onto win the league three times in a row and again in 1999-2000 when they were promoted to Division 3 of the Isthmian League.
After a promotion to Division 2, they were then moved around several divisions and league before being transferred to the South Central Division of the Isthmian League at the end of the 2017–18 season.
Head To Head
On Bank Holiday Monday, Ashford lost 3-1 to their tenants Southall whilst the Moles drew 2-2 away at Marlow. Binfield are 9th in the league on 28 points whilst Ashford currently sit 14th with 20 points.
The Moles played The Tangerines back on the opening day of the season winning 1-0 away at Short Lane. Last season, the Moles won away twice; one in the League and once in the Velocity Cup. The corresponding fixture at Hill Farm Lane ended 1-1.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the gate or in advance via Ticketpass. We take both cash and cards on the gate.
Prices are;
- Adults: £8
- Concession: £5
- Under 16: £1
About Hill Farm Lane
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 200 spaces available to park at the ground.
In Pictures: Marlow Away
For the first game of the New Year, Daisy Spiers was on hand to capture the away game at Marlow FC which ended 2-2.
Happy New Year – Message From The Chairman
I would like to take the opportunity of wishing everyone involved with Binfield Football Club my very best wishes for the New Year.
As we say goodbye to 2022, I thought that it would be a good time to remind ourselves of what the club has achieved over the past 12 months in what has been an extraordinary busy year down here at Hill Farm Lane.
In January we commenced the New Kitchen build and Ground Grading works which occupied much of our attention over many months. This was an extremely ambitious and challenging project for the club which was beset with technical complications from the off. Funding in large part came from the Football Foundation and Binfield Parish Council but the club did use up a large chunk of its own reserves to complete the project. In short, we now have a “state of the art” kitchen facility which has future proofed our ability to provide catering for our own football related needs whilst also giving us the potential to organise other external events. We have increased the ground capacity with our new Stand, installed new outside toilets and have built new turnstiles which allows us to speed up parking on match days. We’ve installed a new enclosure between our 2 main 11 aside pitches and built a new walkway on Pitch 2 thus creating a-stadia feel for our junior team games. Special shout out to Glenn Duggleby who managed this mammoth project for the club and to Graham Taylor and all on the Executive Committee members who supported the works.
We re-seeded all 3 pitches in May of this year and managed to deal with the biggest drought that we’ve had since 1976. The pitches have certainly received a bit of a battering with the weather this past 12 months but are still looking in reasonable shape for this time of year. Lewis Pike deserves a very special mention here for all he has done and still does – thank you Lewis.
We block paved the area at the bottom of the wooden steps and this has made a huge impact at the club as this area sees the most footfall traffic. This work was kindly donated by Nigel Cole (one of our many brilliant Junior Club Coaches) who unbelievably also organised the very expensive removal of the “earth hill” in the car park. We’ve laid down some new scalping’s and now have an estimated 25 extra parking spaces as a result of all this work.
The Ground looks the best it has ever looked and we have been officially approved by the FA as meeting the Ground Grading requirements for Step 4 football.
We ran our Junior Tournament again in May having not run it since 2019 – it was a hugely successful weekend again and I must thank all of you that helped out in either the planning or delivery of the event. Special thanks of course must go to Nicola Pottinger our Tournament Director!!!
Our website and social media presence has undergone a huge transformation this season and its making such a big difference right across the club. Jack, Tom, Andrew and Kieran have given us so much of their time and I can’t thank you personally enough – thank you boys.
On the footballing side we have had an extremely promising time right across the club. From Soccer School all the way through to the first team senior men’s team, the past 12 months have been a big success. Highlights of the year include Steve Humm’s Under 13’s team winning the County Cup and League last season. Andy Harvey’s Under 18’s won both the league and cup in their final season at youth level. We’ve re-started our Allied Counties team this season thanks to Nick White and Martin Smith, in addition to the creation of our very first Under 23 Development team managed by Andy Harvey. 4 of our current Under 23 players have been involved with the 1st Team on numerous occasions already this season and have all gained match experience.
Our first team are currently sitting just outside the play off places in the Isthmian South Central Division and are having an excellent season so far – reaching the 3rd qualifying round of the FA Cup and the 1st round proper of the FA Trophy is history in the making for the club. Our 1st Team Manager Garry Haylock who joined us in early October is a UEFA Pro Licence Coach holder and he is committed to helping the club develop our player pathway from Youth to senior football. Whilst still early days, it’s great to see there being a real link between our Allied, Under 23’s and 1st team developing. Our ambitions to see players stay with the club from soccer school through to senior men’s football is very much alive and kicking.
There are so many people to thank for all their efforts in making this all happen at the club this year as so many people have chipped in – it would be remis of me not to mention the huge efforts from Rob Challis in making the 1st Team operation and clubhouse work so well within the club. To all our match day volunteers that give up their time for the club, we truly love and thank you all.
Behind the scenes there’s a number of people who make it possible for our club to play football who truly deserve all our thanks. Our pitches and referees’ coordinators Helen Harper and Kelly Howes do such a magnificent job in making sure our teams can play every weekend. Amanda who manages our club kit supply and distribution so wonderfully. Bob Chapple keeps us on the straight and narrow when it comes to safeguarding and together with Alan & Jamie Clarke, helps run our wonderful soccer school. To all our Coaches and Team Managers, you do such an important and fantastic job – thank you.
The past 12 months at the club have simply flown by as there’s been so much happening at the club – it just wouldn’t function without so many wonderful people taking time out of their lives to do their bit. I’m hugely grateful to my Vice Chairman Craig Gilbert for all that he does to support me and the rest of the club. As we move into 2023 there will be some new plans drafted up to plan for some new club milestones. The Executive committee is being expanded in order to introduce new blood and some new ideas into the heart of the club – the more people we have the stronger we will be. I will be announcing the details of this in the near future but please don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to get more involved in club life.
Finally, I would like to thank our Club sponsors who have generously supported the club during the past 12 months. Apex Finance who are main club sponsors have been very generous to the club over the past year as have David Cliff and C&V Mechanics – we are going to be reciprocating their support in the New Year by highlighting their businesses across the club membership.
Wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous Safe New Year.
C’mon you Moles”
Andy Cotton
Binfield FC Chairman
Match Preview: Marlow FC – Away
After only one game in December due to the weather, the Moles have a potential nine games in January. Starting with an away trip to Marlow.
Matchday: January 2, 2023
Kickoff: 3 pm
About Marlow FC
Marlow FC was formed at a meeting at the Compleat Angler Hotel on 22 November 1870. In 1871-72, they competed in the FA Cup losing 2-0 to Maidenhead in the first round. In 1881–82, they reached the FA Cup semi-finals, losing 5–0 to Old Etonians.
In more recent history, the club were in the Isthmian League’s Premier Division until being relegated at the end of the 1994–95 season. Two seasons later they were relegated again. In 2004 they were moved across to Division One West of the Southern League, and were later transferred to Division One Central. In 2011–12 the club finished bottom of this league and were relegated to the Premier Division of the Hellenic League which they won at the first attempt.
They earnt promotion back to Division One Central of the Southern League. They were moved around the leagues a few times before ending up in their current league at the end of the 2017–18.
Head To Head
The Moles have beaten Marlow twice this season, both in September and in different cup competitions. They won 4-0 in the FA Trophy at Marlow before beating them 3-0 in the Velocity Trophy two weeks later at Hill Farm Lane.
Last season, the teams drew 1-1 at Hill Farm Lane whilst Marlow won the reverse fixture 3-0.
The Moles last game was a 1-1 draw away at Chipstead on the 3rd December. Marlow played Chipstead on the 28th December and won 3-1. The win leaves Marlow sitting in 3rd place whilst the Moles are 9 points behind in 8th place having played 3 games less.
About Alfred Davis Memorial Ground
Address: Oak Tree Road, Marlow SL7 3ED
Nearest Train Station: Marlow, Great Western Railway
Statement on Binfield vs Basingstoke Town postponement
Binfield FC is disappointed at the response from a small section of non league football supporters regarding the postponement of Friday night’s planned fixture between the Moles and Basingstoke Town.
As a club, we are upset to hear some of the comments regarding our postponement tweet at mid-day yesterday, especially after Basingstoke Town’s support throughout the week, and the support when re-arranging the fixture to the 23rd to allow for increased convenience for both sets of supporters and playing staff.
After the tough week the club has had after finding two pipes burst in the changing room and the club house, and the effort our volunteers had put in to get our facilities to a suitable standard to host an Isthmian League fixture, the one thing that was out of our control was the weather.
Tickets
We would like to assure all supporters that their pre-purchased tickets will be honoured for the re-arranged fixture, which will be communicated as soon as a date is agreed with Basingstoke and the Isthmian League as soon as possible.
As a club we were looking forwards to last night’s match as much as all supporters, as it promised to be an entertaining fixture and would’ve allowed for everyone to get their football fix pre-Christmas.
See inside the water damage at Binfield FC this week including a ‘wall of water’
Massimo Giamattei scoops Goal of the Month award
We have a winnner. Massimo Giamattei has scooped Football in Berkshire’s November Goal of the Month award.
His strike against Hanworth Villa – one of two on the day in the 2-2 draw – and his goal against Bedfont Sports were both nominated for November, but it was the Hanworth goal that won it.
Massimo’s goal won both the popular vote and was the top pick of former Reading FC captain Ady Williams who was this months guest judge.
Giamattei was up against some superb goals this month so we’re absolutely delighted he’s won it.
Watching the winning goals here:
Match Preview: Basingstoke Town FC – Home
Game postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. New date to be announced.
With only one game so far in December, the Moles are at home for the last game of the year against Basingstoke Town.
Matchday: December 23, 2022
Kickoff: 7:45 pm
About Basingstoke Town FC
Basingstoke Town FC was established in 1896 by a merger of Aldworth United and Basingstoke Albion. They played in various Hampshire leagues in their first seventy years before joining Southern League Division One South in the early 1970s. They won the division in 1984-85 and were promoted to the Premier Division.
After a couple of years in the Southern League Premier Division, there were moved sideways into the Isthmian Premier Division in 1987-88. They bounced between the Premier Division and Division One a couple of times before being promoted to the Conference South in 2004-05. This came despite finishing fourteenth and losing the play-off to Lewes. Their promotion came as Hendon turned down the opportunity to join the new Conference South.
In 2015-16, they finished bottom of the renamed National League South and were relegated to the Southern League. This was followed by a relegation and then a sideways move to their current league – the South Central Division of the Isthmian League.
The ‘Stoke have appeared in the 2nd round of the FA Cup 3 times. The latest being in 2006–07 when they lost a replay to Aldershot Town 2-1.
Head To Head
The Moles have played The ‘Stoke away twice already this season; once in the Velocity Cup and once in the League. The Moles were 2-0 winners on both occasions.
Last season, the honours were split with the Moles losing the home game 1-0 but winning the away game at the Winklebury Sports Complex 4-1.
As Winklebury is a 3g pitch, their game last week was one of only two games that survived the weather. They lost 1-0 to Walton and Hersham which left them sitting 4th in the league – 3 positions and 5 points above The Moles.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased on the gate or in advance via Ticketpass. We take both cash and cards on the gate.
Prices are;
- Adults: £8
- Concession: £5
- Under 16: £1
About Hill Farm Lane
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 200 spaces available to park at the ground.
Binfield Vets play through snow and ice
Mad, foolish or a bit of both, but nothing got in the way of Binfield Vets cup tie with Woking Vets Wanderers on Sunday morning.
The Moles side top the Farnham & District Sunday Football League Division One so far this season and beat Woking 5-0 in the Runwick Cup Second Round thanks to a brace from Ryan Millward, and one apiece from Scott Williams, Trevor Weeks and Jim Mulholland.
Goalkeeper Callum Whitty picked up a Player of the Match award for his efforts in keeping a clean sheet. The Moles will play Kingsclere Old Boys Veterans in the Third Round with a date to be confirmed.
Looking ahead, Binfield Vets will finish 2022 with a home game at Lambrook School in Winkfield Row against Fleet Spurs Vets on the 18th December.
Squad vs Woking Vets Wanderers: Callum Whitty (GK), Darren Barton-Taylor, Trevor Weeks, Gary Callaway, Jamie Musgrove, Sam Delander, Alec Engeron, Scott Bennison, Scott Williams, Daniel Wing, Tom McGuire, Ryan Millward, Jim Mulholland and Dave Matthews.
Follow Binfield Vets on Twitter.
