BINFIELD FC manager Roger Herridge heaped praise on his team after their 3-0 win over Highmoor Ibis on Monday kept them top of the Hellenic League, writes Dave Wright.

“In all my time in football management, I don’t think I have ever been more proud of my players,” he said.

“We have lost a couple of games to Ascot and Tuffley, but I really believe tonight was our first proper test and we came through it with flying colours.

“I thought all my players deserve eight out of 10 with maybe a nine in there as well.”

Herridge was particularly pleased with Luke Hayden, a 17-year-old product of the club’s Allied Counties League club who came off the bench to score the third goal with a thumping shot from 15 yards.

The former Blue Coat School boy had made his first-team debut on Saturday when he was 61st-minute substitute in the Moles’ 3-1 win at Milton Keynes Academy in the Bluefin Sports Hellenic League Cup.

“He was playing against boys probably of his own age or a year or two older, but tonight (Monday) he has been up against men, and not looked out of place,” added Herridge.

“He made some good runs, worked hard, put in a great cross from which we should have probably scored, and then he scored a great goal. He is a real bonus for us.”

Herridge was was also delighted with the performance of another of his youngsters, George Lock, adding: “He has done really well since joining us from Bracknell. He was playing against som big lads tonight.

“In James Charlton and Michael Walton we have two centre halves with pace and they won an awful lot in the air.

“Some of our combination play and movement in the first half was excellent particularly from the front three, but all the team was excellent.”

Liam Ferdinand, who had netted twice against Milton Keynes, scored the opening goal against Highmoor with a disputed penalty on 11 minutes with Charlton doubling their lead after 77 minutes.

Herridge continued: “This was a good win over a strong Highmoor side who I don’t think will lose many games this season.”