Whilst they are just out of the running themselves, Binfield are set to play a big part in the Isthmian League South Central Division play-offs as we go into the business end of the season.
Chertsey, Basingstoke, Uxbridge and Marlow are among six clubs currently battling it out for the four places available – and all have to face the Moles in their final five league fixtures.
Joint-manager Carl Withers commented: “They are four big clubs battling for a place in the playoffs, so we have a tough month ahead of us, but there is no pressure on us.
“Players will be able to go out and express themselves and enjoy the game. It will also give us opportunities to look at the players to where we are in terms of moving forward for next season and see if there are areas that may need strengthening.”
Withers and Jamie McClurg know their side will go into April in a confident mood following a magical March which saw them win four games and draw the other – all of them away.
Yet, despite that excellent run, the Moles remain stuck in 8th place in the table, where they have sat since November.
Binfield went into April with fitness doubts concerning James Beauchamp, who was injured in the opening five minutes of their 2-0 win over Tooting & Mitcham United. The teenage striker went up for a header and landed badly on his ankle.
Speaking straight after the game on March 26th, Withers commented: “His ankle is up like a balloon; it’s massive and doesn’t look good. It could be ligament damage, but we will have to wait and see.”
Recent signing Beauchamp had made quite an instant impact for the Moles with four goals in five appearances.
However, the player on loan from Hartley Wintney has now signed for Slough Town. He will stay with Binfield for the rest of the season, but once their fixtures are completed he will link up with the National League South club and will be in their plans for next season.
The injured Beauchamp’s replacement in the Tooting game, Ollie Harris, proved the match-winner, scoring the first goal from a well-placed free-kick and then hitting a high ball from wide out on the right to the far post for Sean Moore to head in the second goal.
Keeper Chris Grace also deserves some credit as, with the game goalless, he brilliantly saved a penalty that he had given away himself.
Another noteworthy item from this match came when two Tooting players got into a fierce argument with each other and had to be pulled apart by teammates as referee Will Briers stopped the game. There was also at least one incident of time-wasting when Grace was delayed in taking a goal-kick by a Tooting player who kicked the ball away towards the corner flag.
Binfield’s fixtures for April are: 2nd home to Uxbridge; 9th away to Chertsey; 15th home to Marlow; 18th away to Basingstoke; 23rd home to Chipstead. Tickets are available here.
