BINFIELD, fielding five debutants, kicked off their Hellenic League Premier Division campaign with a 1-1 draw against Ardley United.


Both of the sides agreed a point apiece was a fair result to an entertaining game at Hill Farm Lane on Saturday.

The newcomers included Reid Brown and the 17-year-old defender was voted Moles’ best player.

The first good scoring chance of the game fell to Binfield’s Josh Howell, but he fired Brad Brown’s cross over the bar.

Neither side could gain the upper hand and for the first half-hour there were few noteworthy goal efforts.

Ardley’s first chance came courtesy of Troy Bryan, who was playing with a fractured cheekbone, but his overhead kick caused no serious problems for keeper Nathan Silver.

Then Silver, previously with Reading Town, managed to beat away a shot from Reece Bayliss.

At the other end, Brown’s glancing header was saved by Ardley keeper Jack Goode.

A lively start to the second half saw both sides on the attack and Silver denied Bayliss before the Moles grabbed the lead after 49 minutes. Newcomer Khalid Senussi slipped the ball through to Jemel Johnson, who was initially denied but he eventually forced the ball past Goode.

United hit back and Luke Ingram struck the post before seeing Bryan head over the bar.

Ardley’s equaliser came on 78 minutes. Binfield lost possession on the halfway line and Ingram raced away to place the ball wide of Silver.

Both sides had late chances to win the game. Silver saved from Bayliss before Josh Howell and Brown went close for the home side.

Binfield, who had a fixture at Thame last night (Tuesday), are in FA Cup action on Saturday when they entertain Midlands League side Westfields in the extra preliminary round.
Finchampstead had to settle for a bore draw in their Hellenic League Division One East game against Bicester.

The visitors went close to breaking the deadlock when Greg Alexander saw his header cleared off the line, while Nathan Onreat-Wells was not far away with a low shot.

Finchampstead are back on the road this Saturday when they travel to Headington Amateurs.

Eversley & California got their Combined Counties League Division One season off to a successful start with a 2-0 win at Dorking.

They will be looking for three more points when they entertain Worcester Park this Saturday.
Sandhurst Town were left to rue missed chances as they conceded a late equaliser and had to be content with a point from a 2-2 draw at Dorking Wanderers Reserves.