Binfield 5 – 0 Winnersh Rangers Cougars  -  4th Jan 08 Cup Match

The day dawned bright and sunny, but not too cold, a lot of overnight rain meant the big pitch was very wet and several puddles made for difficult conditions.  I’ll try and make sure we don’t get this pitch again. Apologies were made to Winnersh about it. 
  
The game started with both side testing the other and getting used to the pitch.  Winnersh pressed hard and soon had a good shot on target, well saved by Robert.  Binfield seemed to enjoy the challenging conditions and soon pushed forward themselves, with a neat passing move putting Jacob in for the opening goal, 1-0.  Winnersh were finding the midfield battle tough and Binfield attacking soon put Jacob in again for his second goal, 2-0. 
  
If Binfield were feeling nervous about the match beforehand, all doubts now disappeared and the flowing attacking style kept the pressure very much on the Winnersh goal, with the accomplished, stingy Binfield defending snuffing out any threats from the Cougars. 
  
In a great footballing move, TC, (in true Ashley Cole style), brought the ball out from defence and combined well with Lewis on the left wing, Lewis setting up a great shooting opportunity, intelligently placed by TC to make 3-0.  Winnersh were still getting frustrated, but battled on well, with seemingly no luck at all, any progress seeming to be thwarted by puddles as well as the Binfield defence. 
  
The Winnersh goalkeeper was being kept quite busy and showed his excellence with some great saves, but Jacob was not to be denied his first-half hat-trick and powered through to score with another professional finish to make it 4-0 at half-time.
  
The second half saw Winnersh start in determined spirit, pushing hard to get on the score-sheet, but they were quickly caught on the counter-attack by Lordy, (through on goal a good few times), he launched a strongly hit shot across the goalkeeper, which was deflected in for 5-0. 
  
With the contest effectively over, Winnersh continued to press hard for a consolation goal and had some good chances, but failed to convert them; one notable effort a very good chip over Robert, (no mean feat in itself), just going wide.
  
Binfield still pushed forward with Chris going close and Matthew breaking through with his speed to force a save or two and missing narrowly.  Daniel and Mark hard work in midfield was nearly rewarded with goals as the created good chances to score, making sure the Winnersh goalie stayed busy. 
  
The Binfield defence was fantastically solid with very few chinks showing in their armour, well done James, Alexander, Oliver, TC, Matthew and Michael.  Great positive defending setting up many a counter-attack, with the last line of defence, Robert a one-man counter-attack with the kicks from his hands! 
  
The team performance this week was one of the best I can remember, especially in such poor conditions.  One thing I thought was particularly excellent was the passing and moving into space.  It seems that every time the team puts together some good passing moves, that is nearly always when the goals come for the team.  
  

 If you have the ball you should always be looking to pass unless you are going to shoot.  For this to happen the rest of the team need to be moving into good positions to receive the pass, so the whole team should work to maintain good quality possession.  This makes the opposition have to work hard to get the ball back with lots of chasing and also stretches them opening up space for our players.  Excellent football is based on excellent passing.

  
Man of the Match: Dev gets the award this week with some great work on the right wing; battling well to win the ball and passing and moving with great vision as well as supplying some terrific crosses.  Well done Dev, keep it up.
  
Team:  Lordy, Chris, Dev, Daniel, Michael, Lewis, Oliver, Alexander, TC, James, Mark, Robert, Matthew and Jacob