By the end of this five away game run, Binfield will do well to remember what Hill Farm Lane looks like.
As it is the Moles are slap bang in the middle of a five game run with the longest trip of the quintet ahead of them – the M4 to Brimscombe.
Here’s what you need to know:
Roger has players coming back at the right time
Moles boss Roger Herridge made a couple of shrewd additions before the closing of the registration last week, but more importantly he has a trio of players back in contention for Saturday.
Striker Liam Ferdinand is back from holidaying, defender Alex Walton and midfielder Jack Broome also return while long-serving Carl Withers should be available for Thursday at Ardley United.
Herridge’s only real injury concern is striker Jemel Johnson.
Can JC kick-on?
Talking of shrewd additions, Jean-Claude Etienne scored his first Binfield goal on Monday night at Highmoor-IBIS.
The former Maidenhead United youth player has started the last games for Binfield and come off the bench in another since signing on the dotted line but has front line competition now in Ferdinand and another signing – Bradley Brown.
Herridge has a reputation locally for promoting youth so we suspect JC will keep his place.
Moles have form in Gloucestershire
The Moles haven’t lost in Gloucestershire this season.
Let that sink in.
Received wisdom suggests you’d struggle on the road, and they’d struggle at your place (we’ve proved it here!). It’s quite the opposite here.
Binfield have won once at home and been beaten three times, while on their travels to the west of England Herridge’s side have won three and drawn one.
Full record:
v Gloucestershire (home): Pld 4; W 1; D 0; L 3; GF 6; GA 8.
v Gloucestershire (away): Pld 4; W 3; D 1; L 0; GF 12; GA 5.
Top five finish at stake
Three points separate Binfield and a top five finish which would be an improvement of one place on last season.
The Moles have games in hand on Highworth and Thame above them and will leapfrog Brimscombe with a win at the Meadow later today.
Current fifth placed side Highworth are eaking out points but haven’t won in five games and are effectively in free-fall as manager John Fisher’s retirement edges closer.
Binfield’s trip to Brimscombe & Thrupp kicks-off at 3pm. Follow the action on twitter via @binfieldfc
Main photo credit: Alex Walton by Colin Byers of binfieldfc.com
