Binfield Torpedoes 3 - 2 Sanhurst Town Eagles

9.00 kick off.   Saturday 28th March 09

Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions : Dry, very windy. 

Attendance - 21.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Michael, Seb, Tom 

Windy conditions and a hard bobbly pitch made the game difficult for the boys today, but they still kept to the passing game that has served them so well this season. However, by any stretch of the imagination,  this game was not a classic, but both teams still managed to entertain the early morning crowd at Stubbs Lane.

Having not played for a month the Torpedoes took a while to get into the tempo of the game. They were woken out of their lethargy abruptly as Sandhurst scored the opening goal mid way through the first half. A bit of urgency was injected and the shout from the touchline was to "raise the game". With the half time whistle approaching and Sandhurst defending really well, Seb received the ball outside the area and fired a shot that, with the assistance of a force six gale behind it, powered into the top corner. 

Credit to Sandhurst they were not deflated by the equaliser and took the game to the Torpedoes, Jamie had to make a fantastic diving save to stop Sandhurst regaining the lead.  Adriano and Tom started to take control at the back and when Josh forced a corner home from close range the game had turned full circle. A quick turn and shot from Louie increased the lead further. A Torpedoes game would not be complete without a "mini crisis" which duly came after Sandhurst scored from the penalty spot. A team that had been playing in control of the game found themselves within a shot of dropping two points. The shot duly arrived, helped by the strong wind bounced over Jamie, only for the post to come to the rescue.

Goals: Seb, Josh, Louie

Man of the Match: Louie

10:00 kick off.   Saturday 28th February 2009 

Venue : Sandhurst.  League Match.

Conditions : Dry, Mild

Attendance - 18.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Seb, Tom

The defensive duo of Tom and Adriano were so strong at the back that an Ascot team that had consistently scored plenty of goals in this fixture were reduced to a couple of long shots.......... now all we had to do was score a goal.

First Half.

Having never beaten the Royals in three years of trying, the boys were reminded before the match that this was their last opportunity to get any points off the current League Champions. Without being particularly fired up, they took to the field and started playing not only with determination, but a calmness that was  a major surprise, and a welcome change to the blind panic that they are susceptible to. There weren't many clear cut chances, but Billy and Michael had good shots well saved and Seb and Louie were doing a great job up front.  Josh, as usual, was the engine of the team, breaking down Ascot attacks and providing the impetus for Torpedo forward moves. Jamie had to come off his line to smother the ball a few times, but had not a shot to save thanks to the great positional play and tackling of Tom and Adriano. A very encouraging first half ended nil nil.

Second Half.

Tom and Adriano continued to be solid in defence, not diving into the tackle, thwarting Ascot attacks. Billy, Michael and Josh started to win the midfield battle. Seb and Louie ran their socks off in alternating stints up front. The Torpedoes started to force corners, but this time did not over commit players forward, both Tom and Adriano staying back to stop any fast counterattacking that we know from past experience  Ascot are very good at. Eventually it was a counterattack from the Torpedoes that broke the deadlock.  Michael ran the ball out of defence and passed to Josh who in turn found Louie in front of goal unmarked. Torpedoes supporters were expecting a shot, but Louie cleverly drew the keeper and squared the ball to Josh, who had continued his run, to pass the ball into an empty net. A calm set up from Louie and a cool finish from Josh. With fifteen minutes still to play now was the time the Torpedoes played at their best, good possession football, slowing the game down keeping the ball and most importantly of all..... no panic !!  Jamie had one scare from a long range free kick that he tipped over the bar, otherwise very little else to do.

On the final whistle the boys were absolutely thrilled and celebrated their victory, not in an arrogant way, but in recognition that they had finally managed to beat the best team in the league.

It was a very close call between Tom and Adriano for man of the match...... with the pocket battleship taking the trophy home.

Goals: Josh

Man of the Match: Adriano