KENSLEY Maloney’s second goal of the season could not have come at a better time, writes Dave Wright.

The midfielder struck early in the second half to earn Bracknell Town their 1-0 win at Binfield on Monday and give their Hellenic League title hopes another boost.

But victory certainly didn’t come easy with the Moles pushing them all the way and going close to snatching a late equaliser.

Predictably, it was a fiercely-fought local derby with both sides going flat out for the entire game.

In front of Binfield’s biggest gate of the season of 312, the Robins had more of the possession, but they were chased and hustled by the Moles who played better over the entire 90 minutes than they had against Highworth although without managing to take their chances on this occasion.

Bracknell News:

Kensley Maloney in action against Binfield on Monday.

There were few scoring opportunities at either end in the first half with both defences standing firm.

As they so often do, wide men Joe Grant and Seb Bowerman provided Bracknell’s main threat and they helped to set up half chances for Adam Cornell and TJ Bohane.

But the forward who most caught the eye, particularly in the first half, was Binfield youngster Carlo Santoro, who was prepared to take on defenders with his close control and acceleration, and it needed a timely challenge by Ryan Parsons to deny Binfield a first-half goal.

Unfortunately for the hosts, Santoro started to run out of steam in the second half.

Moles manager Roger Herridge fielded a more experienced side than he had on Saturday with Joel Jacobs coming in at left-back and Jack Broome into midfield for the first time in three months and they contributed to frustrating the Bracknell attack who were on a real high after scoring 10 times against Fairford on Saturday.

But Herridge will have been disappointed with the way his side conceded the goal as they had two attempts to clear the danger before the ball fell to Maloney near the edge of the area, and his shot took a deflection as it soared past keeper Henry Craven’s outstretched hands into the top right-hand corner.

It was his first league goal this season, having only previously found the net in the League Cup win at Ardley in January when it also proved the winner.

Such is his work-rate that within a minute the midfielder was back defending, clearing the ball away for a corner. Shortly afterwards he was booked for a foul.

Bracknell News:

Bracknell Town come under pressure from Binfield.

Ian Davies could have proved the Moles’ hero if he had taken the chances that came his way. On one occasion, he burst clear, but rather than shoot he held onto the ball for too long and that gave the Robins time to get back and clear the danger.

He had another couple of chances, only to shoot tamely at keeper Chris Grace.

Santoro hit the crossbar and defender Jeff Brown’s brilliant effort on the turn flashed just wide of the target.

At the other end, Bowerman struck the foot of the post, while Bohane shot across goal after rounding Craven.

Maloney took Bracknell’s man-of-the-match award, edging out skipper Dave Hancock, while inspirational skipper James Knight again led from the front for the Moles.