The games are coming thick and fast at the moment, and this evening it’s another East Berks derby in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier League as Ascot United welcome Binfield to the Racecourse Ground – a game that has taken on more significance since the weekend in terms of the Moles hunt for a fifth placed finish.
Roger Herridge’s side were beaten 5-1 in Gloucestershire on Saturday while United triumphed 4-1 at home to Brackley Town Saints.
Here’s what you can expect from tonight’s rip-roaring league tie:
Herridge will make changes..
Moles boss Roger Herridge will make changes this evening in anticipation of a reaction to what he described as ‘a bad day at the office’ on Saturday.
Liam Ferdinand (pictured above) and Michael Walton are both expected to start while captain Carl Withers is available again following injury.
Speaking earlier today, Herridge said: “I am expecting a reaction tonight if the players want to be involved in next weeks Reading Senior Cup tie against Wokingham & Emmbrook.”
Don’t bet against him getting it!
Ascot playing for cup final places.. and revenge
Tonight’s game could easily be a classic end of season tie for Ascot who secured a fourth place finish on Saturday, but their last league game of the season will act as a final audition for Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup Final against Brimscombe & Thrupp.
The Yellamen had won five in a row before Binfield thumped them 4-0 at Ascot Racecourse on 31st March.
You can be sure they’ll be looking to put that result well and truly behind them.
Battle of the strikers
In Liam Ferdinand for Binfield and Joseph Grant for Ascot, both sides boast a 20 goal Hellenic Premier Division striker this season.
Ferdinand has the slightly better record with 21 goals in 29 games for the Moles and Flackwell Heath while Grant has 21 goals in 37 games.
If you think that is impressive though, bear in mind the divisions top scorer Anaclet Odhiambo (Kidlington) has 36 in 49.
How will it go?
Both sides are well matched but if there is an edge, it is Ascot’s mean defence that has conceded the joint-second lowest goals conceded in the league. However, Binfield’s 4-0 win at home to Ascot and their need to bounce back from Saturday means you shouldn’t write them off.
Verdict: 2-2 draw
Keep up to date with the latest Ascot United news here, and the latest Binfield news here. We’ll have news of any pitch inspections given the current state of the weather later on this afternoon.
Photo credit: Main photo is Liam Ferdinand pictured by Neil Graham.
