BINFIELD produced a sound performance to hold Thatcham Town to a goalless Hellenic League Premier Division draw at Waterside Park on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

“We were superb defensively,” said manager Roger Herridge.

“The whole side worked hard throughout the game and we deserved to come away with a point.

“We looked a bit nervous for the opening 10 minutes, but we grew into the game and created some good chances in the first half with Brad Pagliaroli particularly impressive.”

The Moles also threatened through Josh Howell, playing against his former club. Late in the first half he had a one-on-one with keeper Chris Rackley, only to send his effort wide.

But Binfield were kept on the back foot for much of the second half.

“Thatcham certainly turned the screw after the break, but we stuck to the task and defended really well,” added Herridge.

Ian Davies was left playing up front by himself, but he never stopped working and the Moles occasionally looked capable of catching their hosts on the break.

The Kingfishers, who had been held to a draw in their previous two games by Flackwell Heath and Woodley United after conceding stoppage-time equalisers, pushed more men forward, but could not find a way through Binfield’s resolute defence, in which young full backs Owen Powell and Charley Tuttle were again outstanding.

Another teenager, recent-signing Will Shaw, also had a fine game.

Herridge added: “We continue to be a little inexperienced in certain areas, so to take a point off a good Thatcham side was an excellent result. It also means we are now unbeaten in six league games.”

The only disappointment for Binfield was that Joe Gritt, playing his first game in a month due to injury, suffered a recurrence in the opening 15 minutes and had to be taken off.

Binfield, ninth in the table with 18 points from 11 games, are home to mid-table Tuffley Rovers this Saturday (3pm).