Binfield FC boss Roger Herridge praised his players as they came from a goal down to beat Wokingham & Emmbrook 2-1 on Monday.

But he admitted that his former club can consider themselves unlucky not to have earned a point from an entertaining derby, watched by a near 200 crowd at The Triangle.

Sumas went ahead after 48 minutes through Craig Hallett, but five minutes later Lamin Sankoh brought the scores level and then Lewis Leonetti grabbed a late winner on his debut, having joined from Windsor at the weekend.

“I thought they deserved their lead as they played well,” said Herridge. “But we improved after half-time and the substitutions (?Imani Likita and Josh Howell coming on) made a difference to us.

“With the slope here, it was always going to be a game of two halves and based on 90 minutes you would probably say a draw was the fairest result.”

That comment met with a nod of agreement from Sumas manager Dan Bateman, who added: “Binfield are a top six side in the Premier and we matched them toe to toe.

“I was disappointed with the result but proud of the way we performed. The lads gave me everything.

“There was nobody in the ground who could say we deserved to lose; a draw would have been a fair result. It was incredibly harsh on my lads.”

Both the east Berkshire clubs are still settling into the new season. Herridge has been forced to rebuild his side after losing a number of players, while Bateman has encountered selection problems due to players not being available over the holiday period.

“At the moment we have a young side that is still learning,” Herridge told the News.

“Errors are being made, but I am confident we will improve and this win will give the players confidence after two defeats.”

While Binfield, who were beaten 2-1 at home by Shortwood last Saturday, have picked up 10 points from their opening five games, Sumas have collected just four from eight. But Bateman is certainly not panicking at this stage of the season.

He said: “We had a good win at Bracknell (3-0) but have now lost six games and this is the fourth one we didn't deserve to lose.

“Things are going against us at the moment, but there is no doubt that if we continue to put in performances like we did tonight, it is just a matter of time before things change.

“This is a very tough league; there are no easy games, but I fancy my chances against any team.

“At the moment the important thing is that we all stick together. If we keep working we will get the results we want; we are a too good a side for that not to happen.”

Wokingham, who lost 3-0 at Lydney last Saturday, will probably have to raise their game even further, as their next three games could hardly be any tougher.

They visit reigning league champions Flackwell Heath this Saturday, followed by Ascot United at The Triangle next Tuesday evening and then Kidlington at home on the Saturday.

Binfield are away to league rivals Royal Wootton Bassett in the FA Vase this Saturday and then take on Highmoor Ibis in the Hellenic Floodlit Cup on Monday, with the tie being switched from Palmer Park to Stubbs Lane.

Herridge says he will make changes for the Highmoor game, adding: “I will give players who are not currently getting a regular game their chance. The Floodlit Cup is not high on our priorities for this season.”