BINFIELD FC booked their place in the Reading Senior Cup final thanks to two excellent strikes from Josh Howell and James Knight, writes Dave Wright.

The Moles defeated Hellenic League rivals Highmoor Ibis 2-0 in their semi-final at Scours Lane on Saturday to book a date with Henley Town at Madejski Stadium tomorrow (Thursday, 7pm kick-off).

And they will also be meeting the same opponents in the Premier Division next season, with the Red Kites having been promoted from
Division 1 East.

Both Binfield and Highmoor were forced to field depleted sides with many players going on holiday after their league season had been
completed nearly a month ago.

The opening stages were mainly confined to midfield, but the Moles started to look the more menacing going forward and Liam Ferdinand was first to test Ashley East in the Highmoor goal.

Binfield went ahead on 20 minutes. Knight was brought down just outside the area and Howell superbly fired his free-kick around a
four-man wall to find the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Apart from set pieces, neither side was able to create many chances with both defences standing firm.

Like the first goal, it needed something special to break through Highmoor’s back four, in which Danny Lingwood was outstanding – and it was Knight who provided it on 57 minutes.

Howell’s corner was headed out to just outside the penalty area, from where Knight steadied himself before firing through a crowded goalmouth into the net.

Soon afterwards the Moles nearly added a third when Ferdinand set up Howell, but he lost out to East.

Highmoor, playing their first game at their new home since taking over Reading Town’s ground, didn’t give up and had the better of the rest of the game.

Midfielder Richard Witt was instrumental in most of their moves, but their approach work was not matched by the end product.

Lingwood moved up from the back in a bid to show his forwards the way to goal and went close to scoring, but the Highmoor never really looked capable of beating keeper Nathan Silver.

Binfield, beaten in last year’s final by Wokingham & Emmbrook, will now take on Henley, who defeated Thames Valley League Division 1 champions Westwood United 3-2 in their semi-final at Scours Lane last Thursday.

  • AMONG the Binfield players missing this week is Danny Horscroft due to him cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats.

He is being accompanied by his brother James on the near 1,000-mile trip as they bid to raise at least £4,000 for Cystic Fibrosis.