MANAGER Roger Herridge has accepted full responsibility for Binfield FC’s sudden loss of form, writes Dave Wright.

Just a couple of weeks ago the Moles were sitting proudly on top of the Uhlsport Hellenic League.

However, defeats at mid-table Highmoor Ibis (1-0) on Tuesday of last week and by lowly Brackley Town Saints, 2-1 at home on Saturday, saw them slip to fifth place.

Their performance in the latter was pretty dire, with Herridge admitting: “Everything about us was poor. It was not getting beaten, but the manner of our defeat that disappointed me the most.”

After being the last man to troop dejectedly off the pitch, the Moles boss told the News: “That was certainly not a patch on the team that had a couple of great results against Highmoor (at home) and Thatcham.

“We were lacking in quality, we didn’t defend too well, in midfield we didn’t pass the ball very well and overall our distribution was poor.

“I have got to be honest; in all my time in football very seldom have I felt like I do now. I was embarrassed, to be honest.

“But at the end of the day I have to take full responsibility for it. I signed the players, so the buck stops with me.

“Some of them did not look fit enough – that is a fact – and the only person to blame for that is me.”

Herridge continued: “Some of the players have played for me for a long time. I picked the side and put faith in the players, but I feel some of them let me down.”

Moles conceded two goals inside the opening 22 minutes to a Brackley side that came to Hill Farm Lane lying second from bottom of the table with just two wins and two draws from nine games.

Following a 20-minute delay due to one of the referee’s assistants going down injured, Luke Scope pulled one back before half-time and Binfield came more into the game, but rarely looked like equalising.

“If you want to look at the positives, then we certainly improved in the second half and there was also a full debut for young Luke Hayden,” added Herridge.

“He is on a learning curve for him as there is a big difference between Allied Counties and reserve team football, and a difference between reserves and first team at his level as it is a lot quicker, and stronger.

“But Luke will be better for that 90 minutes behind him.

“Up front, I am pleased Luke (Scope) got a goal. He showed good composure and it was a good finish and probably at the end he should have equalised.”

Binfield host Brimscombe & Thrupp on Saturday (3pm) and then next Tuesday travel to Ardley United for a Hellenic Floodlit Cup tie (7.45pm).