Binfield manager Ross Weatherstone has completed a minor miracle by keeping the Moles in the Isthmian League South Central Division.
A former Football League professional with Boston United, ‘Roscoe’ brought in new players and, slowly but surely, turned the season around. When he took over as manager the situation was bleak for a club that hadn’t suffered a relegation in 40 years.
The Moles had managed only four draws in 20 games and had conceded 80 goals, leaving them with a goal difference of -64.
In their last 20 games, Weatherstone’s side earned eight wins and six draws, scoring 28 goals, one less than they conceded.
All this meant Binfield went into their final game against Uxbridge ahead on points of the other team facing relegation, Chipstead, but with a vastly inferior goal difference. They knew they needed a point and that was achieved by drawing 1-1 with Uxbridge at The Iconic Stadium thanks to an equaliser from substitute Ethan Lindo in the ninth minute of stoppage time.
But the point wasn’t needed, as Chipstead had encountered problems in their final game with Southall at The 1878 Stadium in Burnham.
The match was abandoned with Southall leading 2-0 at half-time with ex-Ascot United hot-shot Brendan Matthew scoring the second goal in stoppage time, just after Chipstead’s Kayode Conteh had been sent off following two yellow-card offences.
With Southall in the play-offs and Chipstead facing relegation, the Isthmian League called an emergency meeting on Sunday morning.
A league statement quickly followed which read: Chipstead FC were charged under Isthmian League Rule 8.38, causing a match to be abandoned. The chair of Chipstead attended a hearing held this morning by the Isthmian Football League’s Emergency Committee. Chipstead confirmed that their players failed to take the field of play for the second half of the match following an altercation that occurred at the end of the first half.
“The decision of the Emergency Committee was that three points be awarded to Southall as provided for in the League Rule. The reasons behind Chipstead not taking the field of play for the second half will be dealt with by the Football Association under their regulations.”
The outcome left Chipstead in the relegation zone, four points behind Binfield, while Southall
finished fourth and will visit Leatherhead in the play-offs tonight (Wednesday), with Marlow hosting Westfield in the other semi-final.
Retaining their South Central status is “fantastic for everyone connected with the club”, said
Weatherstone who had previously been with Hartley Wintney.
Brought in by chairman Andy Cotton last December, the manager commented: “A lot of people have given everything for this club. Getting over the line is fantastic for everyone.”
He praised those players who had shown tremendous loyalty to the Moles, including skipper Dan Lewis, who had played in 42 league and cup games, the most of any player, and Dontaye Whittaker, their top scorer with 15 goals.
The striker received the club’s Golden Boot award after the game.
Goalkeeper Killian Barrett was voted the supporters’ player of the year by a wide margin, while the manager’s player trophy went to Tyler D’Cruz, and Ethan Lindo earned the young player award.
