BINFIELD completed their home Hellenic League Premier Division fixtures on a disappointing note – a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of title-favourites Thatcham on Saturday.

A goal down inside the first minute, the Moles were outplayed by a very slick side who were superior in every department as they stretched their unbeaten run to 36 games in all competitions.

This season Binfield have come from behind on numerous occasions due to their sheer grit and determination, but were unable to repeat that against the FA Vase finalists.

Their defence looked unusually vulnerable particularly to crosses into the area, while their forwards failed to get in a noteworthy shot at Chris Rackley in the visitors’ goal.

Overall, it has been a good season for the Moles – they will finish in the top seven – so this performance was not how manager Roger Herridge wanted to end the campaign at Hill Farm Lane. Thatcham were arguably the best side seen there for a long time and it was a clear indication to Herridge he will need to strengthen his squad if they are to challenge for honours next year.

And, perhaps of some concern to him and his players, this was not the last time the Moles will see of the Kingfishers as the two clubs will meet in the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup final at Windsor on April 30 (7.45pm).

By then, Herridge will need to work with his defence on dealing better with balls into their area as they looked very exposed last Saturday.

Shane Cooper-Clark made them pay inside the first minute and the league’s leading scorer netted again after 35 minutes before Harry Grant headed his side’s third just before half time. So the visitors led 3-0 at the break and it could so easily have been one or two more.

Ekow Elliott added the fourth with a crisp left-footer in the 64th minute and more good work down the right by substitute Jemel Johnson, playing against his former club, set up Cooper-Clark for his hat-trick two minutes from time, taking the hot-shot’s tally for the season to a remarkable 55 goals in 50 games.