BINFIELD missed a chance to return to the top of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division table when they lost 1-0 at Highmoor Ibis on Tuesday, writes Dave Wright.

The Moles were not at their best in a game largely dominated by the defences, with neither side able to create many clear-cut scoring opportunities.

The only goal of the night came from Highmoor defender Devonn Reid after 57 minutes.

Roger Herridge’s men stay third in the table, two points behind joint leaders Thatcham and Flackwell Heath, who drew 1-1 with each other this week, but having played fewer games.

They are home to Brackley Town Saints this Saturday (3pm).

Tuesday’s defeat – their third in 10 league games – completed a miserable week for Binfield as last Friday they were dumped out of the Buildbase FA Vase, losing 2-1 to Bracknell Town at Hill Farm Lane.

They took a first-half lead through a screamer from midfielder Jack Broome and held it until 15 minutes from time when substitute Joe Grant and George Short turned the game with two goals in a minute.

Bracknell will be away to Southern Counties East League Premier Division side Croydon in the first round proper of the Vase on October 22.

Mark Tallentire’s side are without a league game this weekend, as the team they should have been visiting, Brimscombe & Thrupp, are involved in an FA Cup tie at Weymouth.

The Robins are next in action on Tuesday (7.45pm) when they take on Thatcham in the first round of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy at Sandhurst’s Bottom Meadow.

They will be bidding for a hat-trick of wins, having beaten the Kingfishers in the FA Cup and the league already this season at Waterside Park.

The winners of Tuesday’s tie will be at home to Holmer Green in the quarter-finals.

Bracknell are expecting their new 3G carpet to be delivered to Larges Lane by October 24 and so, all being well, should be playing on it in early November.

The Robins are currently unbeaten in eight league and cup games, having won six of them.

“We are beginning to show what a good squad we have here, but we are not getting too carried away at the moment,” said Tallentire.

Ascot United will also face Southern Counties East League Premier Division opponents in the Vase as they have been drawn away to Gillingham-based Hollands & Blair.

The Yellamen, who were exempt from the qualifying stages, were beaten 3-0 at home by Thatcham in the league last Saturday.

Manager Jeff Lamb was forced to name a depleted squad and had to include himself among the three substitutes.

He will be hoping to have more players available for their trip to Ardley this Saturday.

Ascot meet league rivals Highmoor Ibis in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy at the Racecourse Ground next Tuesday with the winners away to Flackwell Heath in the quarter-finals.

Wokingham & Emmbrook, beaten 3-2 by AFC Aldermaston in Division One East last weekend, are home to Premier Division side Lydney in the Bluefin Sport Hellenic Cup this coming Saturday (2.30pm).