IN-FORM local rivals Binfield and Bracknell Town are to meet in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase, writes Dave Wright.

The Moles booked their ticket with a 3-2 win at Buckingham Athletic, while the Robins came from behind to beat Hook Norton 5-1 in extra time.

It’s going to an “interesting and intriguing” game, predicted Mark Tallentire, the Bracknell manager and ex-Binfield boss.

“Both sides are playing well these days.”

The tie has been arranged for Hill Farm Lane on Friday, September 23, three days after the two sides were due to meet there in a league game.

The league fixture has now been postponed to Tuesday, December 6.

Tallentire is mightily relieved his side are still in the competition, as they came very close to making a surprise exit at Hellenic Division One West leaders Hook Norton on Friday.

Robins were trailing to a 56th-minute disputed penalty until five minutes from time when Joe Grant came to his side’s rescue with the equaliser.

The Premier Division side’s superiority and fitness told in extra-time with TJ Bohane and Adam Cornell netting two apiece.

“It looked convincing in the end, but I assure you it wasn’t,” said Tallentire.

“There were periods in the game in the game when I thought it wasn’t going to be our day.

“We didn’t take our chances, that was the crux of the matter. We should really have been four of five up before half time and put the game out of sight.

“It was 0-0 and I did warn the players that this is the sort of place where some weird decisions go against you because it has happened to me before.

“And that’s what happened when the ref gave a penalty because he thought it was handball (against Alex Rodrigues). The lads assured me it wasn’t – he had chested the ball down – but the ref reckoned he had used his hand.”