Binfield have enjoyed a flying start to the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division One season with an FA Cup derby on the horizon at the weekend.
The Moles joint-manager Carl Withers was reflecting on the start of the season for his and Jamie McClurg’s Isthmian League side prior to the Bank Holiday weekend that has seen a number of new faces at Hill Farm Lane including the two most recent signings Brad Pagliaroli and Johnny Efedje.
Writing on the club website, Withers said: “I think we’d both be lying if we said we weren’t happy with the start to our campaign this season, 4 points from 6 in the league [written prior to the double Bank Holiday wins against Merstham and Basingstoke Town], and being in the next round of the FA Cup, which following the draw Monday has provided the club with a fantastic local derby in a week’s time against near neighbours Holyport and one the club, players and staff can all look forward to. In terms of the league and our bread and butter we find ourselves with a number of tough fixtures over the coming weeks, but we will look forward to these and continue to build on a recent success.”
Of the recent new faces, Efedje has played three times scoring once in the 4-0 win over Merstham while Pagliaroli is yet to make his second debut for the club.
Former Wokingham & Emmbrook youngster Connor Holland though has certainly impressed, scoring twice while the likes of Taylor Morgan and Harvey Harry have made their mark with Withers adding: “This year we knew we had to improve this [on last season’s eighth place], and we believe we have done exactly that bringing in several exciting players, who will add to the incredible foundation that we already have at this football club.”
Elsewhere, two former Binfield players are impressing at Reading City with boss Simon Johnson saying ‘we recruited well in the summer’ following the acquisitions of Phil Veal and Joel Valentin. Eddie Lee has also joined the club on dual registation.
Binfield travel to Holyport on Sunday 4th September in the 2022/23 FA Cup First Qualifying Round. Kick off is 2pm. Tickets can be bought in advance here.
