Binfield produced the perfect response to their FA Vase exit at the hands of Deal Town by hammering Flackwell Heath 5-1 at Hill Farm Lane on Monday, writes Dave Wright.

"It was a good way to get Saturday's big disappointment out of our systems," said manager Roger Herridge.

"Football is full of highs and lows, and while we wanted to continue our run in the Vase, the league remains our main priority."

The Moles recovered from going behind early on to the Heathens to win comfortably with goals from Josh Helmore (2), Liam Gavin, Josh Howell and Elliott Legg.

They stay third in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, still 15 points behind unbeaten leaders Westfields, but with four games in hand. Fairford are between them with 40 points from 18 matches.

Herridge stated: "We have got some work to do to catch the top side, but anything is possible with the group of players we have at the club."

On any other day, Binfield would almost certainly have beaten Deal in their fourth-round replay.

They twice led, went behind in extra time, only for Gavin to poke home a late equaliser. Then for a brief moment, they were 3-1 ahead in the penalty shoot-out, only to lose 7-6 at the end of 22 spot-kicks.

"It is the worst way to lose, but that's cup football for you," reflected Herridge.

"We played 240 minutes against them and the sides could not be separated. Then we had a rollercoaster of emotions during those penalties.

"One minute you are standing there watching one of your players going up to take a penalty which could win you the game, then moments later your head is in your hands because you have gone out of the competition you have enjoyed being in for such a long time.

"I was still immensely proud of our players, but unfortunately it just wasn't our day."

With a number of players still nursing knocks on Monday, a sluggish start saw them fall behind to an Adam Thomas goal after 10 minutes.

But centre-back Gavin forced home the equaliser in the 37th minute and two minutes later Helmore fired them ahead.

Howell made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute and shortly afterwards Helmore added his second with left-back Legg – voted Binfield's player of the month for December – completing the scoring shortly before the final whistle.

Helmore had originally been named as a substitute, but returned to the starting line-up as Shane Cooper-Clark – signed on a dual registration from Bracknell – was forced to pull out.

"He was troubled in the warm-up with his knee problem which he has had for a little while," said Herridge.

"We are hoping this will be just a small set-back for him and it won't be long before he's back with us.

"Shane is desperate to play football, so I hope he gets his knee sorted out as quickly as possible."

Fellow striker Sean Moore missed the Flackwell game through injury after playing through the pain barrier against Deal, but the Moles skipper hopes to be fit for this Saturday's home game with Holmer Green.

The visitors are tailed off at the bottom of the table with just five points from 21 games.