Binfield 0 – 2 Finchampstead A – 16thFeb 08 League
We were back to Stubbs Lane for the first time this season and looking forward to the rematch with one of the top teams in the league.
  
The match saw some good football from both teams with Finch putting a greater amount of pressure on the Binfield goal, with Robert’s great kicks always seeming to go to a Finch player.
  
An early kick did find it’s way through and was just going to bounce over the last defender’s head to put Lordy in, but the Finch defender saw fit to use his hands to stop the ball, conceding a free kick and would certainly have seen a card of some colour in adult football.
  
The pressure paid off for Finch, after a while, and a headed flick found a Finch player in the area, and he duly scored with a well-placed header out of Robert’s reach.  They did have a bit of a height advantage!
  
Binfield battled well but the impressive Finch defence held solid and their goalkeeper was not troubled with any real saves to make.
  
The second half saw the breeze now behind Binfield and they suddenly seemed to be winning the huge punts from Robert and pressing hard for an equalizer, but Finch were too solid in defence for us and only one shot forced a comfortable save from their keeper. 
  
Good defending on both sides kept the chances low and Alexander did really well keeping their strong No.8 a lot quieter than last time we played.
  
Binfield nearly pinched an equaliser as Mark turned and launched a long range shot from the edge of the area, but just shading the top of the bar.
  
Finch secured their victory late in the game with a good passing move opening up the Binfield defence, (possibly offside - sorry).
Man of the Match: This week Matthew gets the honours with some great work in defence, and for being really positive coming out with the ball to try and set up some counter-attacks.
  
I was really proud of the team and take a lot of encouragement from the way the team played and their tenacity.  I know it’s disappointing to lose, but sometimes it happens and there is no disgrace in losing to a better team, which I think it is fair to say Finch are.  We gave them a good game and I’m sure they will look forward to playing us again, as we will them.  Good luck to Finch for the rest of the season, if they win the league it will be deserved.  Let’s hope they will take a few points off Crusaders for us!
  
I'd like to remind you that Finchampstead drew with Div 1 leaders Ashridge in their recent cup match, so we know we can compete with the best in the league.
  
Team:  Robert, Ben F, Lordy, Daniel, Michael, Lewis, Oliver, Alexander, TC, Mark, Matthew, Tom N and Chris.