Binfield Rock Title Bid - Binfield vs. Highworth Town

Elevated view at Hill Farm Lane

The weather seems to temporally at least have let up - Easter weekend doesn't look great - to allow a free choice of game last weekend. Binfield has been a ground that has been on the list for a little while and the visit of high flying Highworth Town stood out. I visited Highworth earlier this season for an FA Vase tie with fellow Hellenic League side Easington Sports which they won comfortably. Highworth are currently top of the table having only lost three league games so far this season and it seems to be between them and FA Vase semi finalists Thatham for the title. Binfield themselves were having a decent season and were in sixth place behind local rivals Bracknell, who they host on Monday evening. The reverse fixture in Wiltshire saw a one one draw.

Just before the teams switched round

Both sides were trying to play football early on but neither created any real chances. The first chance however produces the opening goal. The Highworth winger gets behind the defence and his ball across is put into his own net by the sliding defender. Things soon get worse for Binfield as a ball over the top is lashed home by the onrushing striker. The first Binfield chance is a header from a cross that produces a decent save from the Highworth goalie. The away side almost get a third as another header is this time blocked on the line. Headers seem to becoming a theme as a third forces a brilliant one handed save from the visiting keeper.

Two nil Highworth

Binfield come out looking to get back into the game and out of a couple early chances, the best was a great corner kick that just eludes everyone. Binfield continue to push without reward before things go crazy in the final ten minutes. The home side win a penalty when the forward is pushed over in the box and the resulting penalty is dispatched and Binfield smell blood. They get behind the defence before a ball across the six yard box is hacked away. They get the equaliser when a ball across the edge of the box is lashed into the opposite corner. They complete the turn around when Highworth give the ball away in midfield and the attacker eventually slots the ball home from just outside the area. Highworth now pile forward and nearly concede a fourth in spectacular fashion. The keeper is caught well off his line but fortunately for him the long distance effort thunders off the bar as Binfield win by three goals to two.

Highworth look for the third in front of the clubhouse

As you can tell from the pictures, the ground is fairly rural. To get there from you London you need to catch a train to Bracknell from Waterloo before taking the 150 bus to Binfield. All this takes just over an over and a half with the buses being every half hour. A short walk from the bus stop is The Victoria Arms which is a welcoming Fullers pub that the usual choice of ales as well as BT Sports. Then about half way to the ground is The Jack O'Newbury which is an excellent rural ale pub which also has the sports channels. The ground is then a steady ten minute walk away. The clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks and the hotdogs come highly recommended. The club are rightly welcome of the whole set up and there is a picturesque backdrop to proceedings. The programme was also great and teamsheets are freely available on the bar.

Touchline view of Hill Farm Road