Date Published: Monday, April 30th 2012
BINFIELD .........................................6
Dan Weait pen 24, Ian Davies 38, 60
Carl Davies 40, Carl Withers pen 42, Jake Butler 80
Headington Amateurs ................0
Hellenic Challenge Cup with Bluefin Insurance - Semi Final - 30th April 2012
After being postponed three times in the last 7 days for a waterlogged pitch, this match finally took place on a superb surface prepared by Binfield's brilliant groundsmen, Bobby Ellis and Mick Baldry.
When the match did finally start, both sides looked a little off the pace in a scrappy opening period of play. Division One West's Headington Amateurs gave a decent account of themselves for the first quarter and had the first chance after good play on the right ended with a volley high over the bar.
Moments after that chance, Ian Davies hit the same post for the first time of two efforts to be thwarted by that upright, before the first goal eventually came. His first effort came via Carl Davies clever pass, which Ian Davies rolled past the keeper and onto the post. Ten minutes later, the Moles front two again combined and this time Ian Davies' delightful lob was unfortunate to stay out. From that chance, Headington headed straight up the other end and the Moles were indebted to Dan Weait's pace off his line to collect.
But with two more minutes played, the Moles had the lead and Amateurs challenge quiickly faded. Ian Davies quick feet in the area drew a trip and the penalty was awarded. After recent success in shoot outs, keeper Dan Weait stood up and blasted the penalty home.
By half time, the Moles had scored three more as Amateurs struggled to get out of their own half and the match was over as a contest.
With the chances racking up, the Moles second goal was always likely to come - and when it did, it was a fine example of the Moles in full flow. Danny Wing ran at Amateurs defence and after exchanging a one-two with Carl Davies on the edge of the box, he unselfishly squared for Ian Davies to finish, when Wing could have shot himself.
Seconds later, Davies turned provider for strike partner Carl Davies, who finished from 6 yards. And when Ian Davies was pulled down in the box three minutes before half time, Carl Withers took the ball and blasted his fourth goal of the season.
Just before half time, Carl Davies was replaced by Josh Tighe, to protect him from a groin strain and give him the best chance of reaching fitness for the Moles final game of the season, in the final of this competition.
The second period was inevitably a less intense affair, with the Moles trying for more goals and their opponents making their best efforts to stop them. On the hour, Ian Davies had a second goal - his 48th of a prolific season - with Danny Wing again the provider from a surging run into the box.
In the last half hour of the match, Jordan Rowland replaced Jos Millar and then Jake Butler replaced Paul Shone. And Butler was to score his third Binfield goal after joining the squad at the end of October, aged 17. Ian Davies brilliant run to evade three tackles ended with him pulling back from the byline and Butler smartly finishing from 8 yards.
So the Moles head into the Challenge Cup with Bluefin Insurance Final to face Highworth Town on Bank Holiday Monday (7th May) to be played at Newbury FC, in what will be their last match of an already hugely successful season. Can the Moles make it a third cup win? Get along next Monday to see....
BINFIELD; Weait, Whitty, Mortimer, Callaway (capt), Shone (Butler 80), Withers, Millar (Rowland 70), Suarez, I Davies, C Davies (Tighe 43), Wing. Subs not used; Nebbett, Pennicott-Bowen
