ASCOT United, in second place, were unable to close the gap on Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Brackley Town Saints as their top-of-the-table clash ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Yellamen remain seven points adrift, with both sides having played 15 games.

Bidding to end Saints’ run of six successive league wins, Ascot started well and took the lead after 10 minutes.

Harry Laflin picked out Geoff Kibaki on the right and he beat a defender before crossing to Laflin, who had surged into the six-yard box and planted a downward header past keeper Alastair Worby.

Two minutes later, Kibaki raced onto a Nathan Minhas through ball, only to be denied by the keeper, who went on to make several more fine saves.

Brackley improved as the first half wore on and Alex Stott saw his effort ruled out for offside before glancing a header wide of the right-hand post.

But Stott was not to be denied as it was he who equalised on 65 minutes from Jordan Godfrey’s cross.

Both sides created opportunities to win the game, with Minhas nearly capitalising on a mistake in the Saints defence five minutes from time, only being thwarted by Worby.

Ascot travel to second-bottom Tuffley Rovers this Saturday (3pm) and next Tuesday evening are home to tailenders Abingdon United (7.45pm).

BINFIELD eased home 3-0 against a hard-working Longlevens side at Hill Farm Lane in their Premier Division clash.

Sean Moore opened the scoring after nine minutes and shortly afterwards Liam Gavin doubled the Moles’ lead with Moore adding the third in the 77th minute.

“It was a comfortable win; I never thought the result was in any doubt,” said manager Roger Herridge.

He is now preparing for two particularly tough fixtures – away to leaders Brackley Town Saints tonight (Wednesday) and then away to third-placed Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday (3pm). Gary Smith will miss the weekend game due to suspension, but Jeff Brown is expected back.

JAKE White scored twice as Wokingham & Emmbrook secured an excellent 3-1 Division One East win at Penn & Tylers Green on Saturday.

The Sumas, having gone close early on through Will Day, opened the scoring when Ellis Day headed home a corner, his second goal in successive games.

However, they were not ahead for long, with Rashid Hamid firing in a free-kick from 25 yards for Penn’s equaliser.

The hosts nearly scored from another free-kick, but this time they were denied by a flying one-handed save from Sean Woodward.

For a while it looked as if Penn were getting the upper hand, but then White produced a superb header from a cross to put the Sumas back in front before half-time.

Elliot Rushforth and White both had chances before the visitors increased their lead. Ellis Day was brought down just outside the area and White drilled his free-kick into the corner of the net.

White was only denied a hat-trick by a fine block from the keeper. But at the end of the day, it was Wokingham’s clinical finishing and resilience that got the better of a skilful Penn side.

Dan Bateman’s men move up to sixth in the table.

Tomorrow (Thursday) they are away to Holyport in Group B of the Division One Subsidiary Cup (7.45pm). They are without a fixture this Saturday.

IN the Combined Counties League, Sandhurst defeated FC Deportivo Galicia 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Charlie Oakley and move up to 10th place in the Division One standings.

Eversley, in 15th spot, lost 3-1 at home to second-placed Sheerwater after trailing 2-0 at half-time.

They had a better second half, squandering several chances, but their only goal came when Brad Brown back-heeled in a corner.

The Fizzers and Boars were due to meet each other last night (Tuesday) at Bottom Meadow in the Aldershot Senior Cup.

This Saturday, Eversley go to Fleet Spurs, while Sandhurst travel down to Whyteleafe to face AC London and then next Tuesday (7.45pm) visit Epsom & Ewell in the Division One Cup.