BINFIELD FC’s hopes of securing a top-five finish in the Hellenic League Premier Division took a substantial knock as they were beaten 5-1 at Brimscombe & Thrupp on Saturday.

After an even opening half hour, the Moles fell behind to a well-worked goal from the hosts’ right wing, leaving an easy tap in at the far post for Josh Russell.

Binfield could have been level at the break when Brad Brown got on the end of Mark O’Connell’s knock down, but he was foiled by a brilliant tackle from behind with the goal at his mercy.

One down at the break, the visitors were well in the match, with keeper Nathan Silver making a brilliant one-handed save from Sam Blackie’s 25-yarder shortly before Brown’s chance and then saving a harshly awarded penalty five minutes into the second period.

But the hosts found it all too easy to get behind the Moles in the second period and were soon 3-0 up through Blackie and Billy Jones.

Liam Ferdinand came on from the bench and sparked life into the Moles attack, cutting in from the left and hitting a firm shot straight at Steve Sparrow.

However, Karl Nash added a fourth for the hosts late on from another right-wing cross, before Danny Horscroft rounded Sparrow for the Moles consolation, although there was still time for Ollie Pitt to add a fifth for the home side.