SKIPPER Harrison Bayley inspired Highmoor Ibis to a 2-0 win over Binfield in their Hellenic League Floodlit Cup first round tie on Monday.

With 12 minutes gone, Highmoor were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out. Zak Tull shaped to take it with everyone expecting him to float the ball into the penalty area.

Instead, Tull pushed the ball to Bayley, standing by himself on the right, and the midfielder had plenty of time to take the ball forward before picking his spot past keeper Chris Lusty.

“I thought he was going to have a shot and I couldn't believe they left me in open space,” said Bayley.

Binfield manager Roger Herridge added: “I read it 20 seconds before it happened. But our players switched off and were slow to react.”

Josh Howell and James Knight both missed good chances to score for the Moles, while Jemel Johnson was denied by keeper Michael Cadle.

And their hopes of getting back into the game ended three minutes into the second half.

Binfield failed to clear their lines and Tull, 20 yards out, hammered the ball low into the net by the left-hand post.

Although home defender Lewis Leonetti went close with a header, Highmoor looked more threatening in attack.

The dangerous Anthony White was only stopped from adding a third by keeper Lusty in a one-on-one situation, while strike partner Aston Robinson was too high with a header.

For Binfield, they have now exited cup competitions on two successive Mondays, having gone out of the FA Vase a week earlier to Royal Wootton Bassett.

In between, they were held to a goalless draw at Hill Farm Lane by Milton United in a league match on Saturday.

Binfield created the better chances during the game but just could not secure the break through.

Only the crossbar prevented Johnson giving the Moles an early lead, while Liam Ferdinand forced the Milton keeper, Craig Griffiths, into making a string of quality saves.

With Nathan Silver unavailable, Binfield gave keeper David Lyons his debut and he marked the occasion by keeping a clean sheet.

Binfield's run of home matches continues against Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday and Royal Wootton Bassett next Monday evening, both being league fixtures.