BINFIELD FC have been left reeling by a spate of injuries that could damage their hopes of a top six finish in the Hellenic League, writes Dave Wright.

Experienced midfielder Carl Withers is out for the rest of the season with a broken hand, while Josh Howell could be sidelined for two weeks with an ankle problem.

Withers and Howell were both hurt in Saturday’s 5-2 win at Royal Wootton Bassett, with the latter having been injured in a collision with team-mate Jemel Johnson.

All three missed Monday’s 2-0 home defeat at the hands of title-chasing Flackwell Heath.

Utility player Danny Horscroft played up front with Liam Ferdinand, but limped off after 20 minutes with a leg muscle injury.

Youth team player Tom Adams, having received a late call up, took over from Horscroft for his first-team debut.

Johnson, with five goals in the previous two games, has a chance of being fit for Saturday’s trip to Lydney, but the Moles will be missing Ferdinand, who leaves on Thursday for a two-week holiday in the USA.

“It is a shame that all these injuries have come at a time when we have been really flying,” said manager Roger Herridge. “With a lot of players missing we could be going into a tough period.”

At least Lewis Leonetti has returned after being out injured since last December. The big defender, however, wasn’t able to prevent Ismael Ehul, dual registered with Conference side Hayes & Yeading, firing the Heathens into an 11th-minute lead on Monday.

Dan Burnell also saw a goal-bound effort blocked by Moles skipper Alex Luis.

Flackwell shaded the first half, but Moles upped their game and put pressure on a side who were playing their third match in 96 hours.

Herridge commented: “We played well in the second half, but you have to score when you are on top. If may have been a different story if JJ and Josh had been out there.

“I was pleased with our work rate. We competed for 90 minutes, but we came up a little bit short.”

Chris Dean came closest to equalising, with is shot being blocked by a defender just short of the line.

But their hopes of salvaging a point ended on 73 minutes when Dan Rapley swooped in low at the far post to turn home a right-wing cross from Joe Blount.

James McCarthy, another of the club’s youngsters, and reserve striker Ethan Jerome were also sent on from the bench late in the game on a night when Binfield named only three substitutes.

Michael Walton, who was not available on Monday, is set to return against Lydney, but Herridge admits he faces some selection problems ahead of this long Easter trek down to Gloucestershire. Binfield, who lie eighth in the table, take on fourth-placed Ascot United at Hill Farm Lane on Monday (both 3pm).