ROGER Herridge is refusing to get over-excited by Binfield's promising start to the season which has seen them win 1-0 at Brimscombe & Thrupp and 2-0 at home to Windsor, writes Dave Wright.

"Obviously, we are happy with the start we've made and hopefully we can build on it, but that is all it is and we mustn't get too carried away," said the manager.

The Moles, however, appear better equipped for the new campaign than they have for many years with Herridge and new coach Carl Withers making what chairman Bob Bacon describes as "some significant signings" to raise expectations at the club.

And such is the strength of the squad that even a hard-fought win over last season's Hellenic League runners-up Brimscombe no longer guarantees a first-team place.

Herridge explained: "We have assembled a good core of players and that meant some tough decisions regarding team selection.

"On Saturday, Idris Kamara was first class, as was Will Shaw and Josh Howell also had a good game, but on Monday they found themselves on the bench.

"Competition for places is something we haven't always had in recent years. In the past, part of our downfall was we didn't have many options when players were injured or couldn't play, but if this squad sticks together we now have options.

"We want a solid squad and we hope the players will buy into that. If everyone commits to it, we will have a good chance of finishing a lot higher in the table than we did last season (ninth) – that's for sure."

Herridge continued: "There are clubs in this league who are offering good money, but we are certainly not among them. We have three Under 18s in the team with our left-back, Charlie Wheeler, only 16.

"I thought Joel Valentin in central midfield was the best player on the park on Monday and he's only 18."

The Moles also amended their shape in the two opening games, playing a solid 4-4-2 down in Gloucestershire, while preferring a narrower diamond shape for the visit of Windsor.

Herridge continued: "On Saturday, we worked really hard against a good side, but were perhaps a little fortunate to come away with all three points as they were the more dominant team. That said, if you do have aspirations of winning things, you have to win ugly and that's what we did.

"But I thought we were head and shoulders above Windsor. We dominated from start to finish."

"With all due respect to Windsor, I would think we will come up against stronger opponents and may get only a couple of scoring chances, so we may need to be more clinical in front of goal than we were tonight."

New signing Asa Povey followed up his goal at Brimscombe with another on Monday, this time from the penalty spot, after Danny Horscroft had fired the Moles into a first-half lead.

Jamie McClurg, signed from Bracknell Town, came on as a second-half substitute and Herridge believes the highly experienced midfielder is going to have a "big influence" on the team.

Striker Sean Moore, who rejoined the club from the Robins, is still recovering from injury, but could be back in action by the end of the month.

Binfield are home to Wessex League club United Services Portsmouth this Saturday in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup with £2,250 on offer to the winners along with a home tie in the next round against Cowes Sports or Lymington Town on August 24.