IT was largely a case of dèja vu for Binfield when they were beaten 5-3 after extra time by Henley Town in a thrilling Reading Senior Cup final at Madejski Stadium, writes Dave Wright.

For the second year running, the Moles had a player sent off on their way to losing to a team from a lower level who had just been promoted to the Hellenic League’s Premier Division.

However, unlike last year when they lost 2-1 to Wokingham & Emmbrook, there was a time when Roger Herridge’s men looked in control of last Thursday’s tie.

They fell behind in the eighth minute when Richard Bennett headed home after keeper Nathan Silver had failed to cut out Sean Moore’s high cross from the right.

But four minutes later Liam Ferdinand, who had already gone close after rounding keeper Andrew Nunn, brought the scores level following good work by Josh Howell and just before half-time Howell’s cross was headed home by Jemel Johnson to make it 2-1.

In front of a crowd of just over 400, Binfield deserved to be ahead as they had enjoyed the better of the first half although without being able to stamp their authority on the game with Henley battling for every ball.

Ferdinand was a constant threat with his pace, but it was no easy task for the Binfield attack as the Red Kites defended well with skipper Richard Thomas and Warren Baxter in top form.

But, what proved the turning point of the game, came seven minutes into the second half.

Moles defender Jack Broome retaliated to a challenge by appearing to stamp on Grant Kemp and was red carded by referee Simon Maynard.

Herridge sent on Callum Carlisle to fill the gap at right-back, with midfielder James McCarthy the unlucky player to be brought off.

Yet, Binfield looked to have put the set back of being reduced to 10 men for the third cup final in a year behind them when in the 62nd minute Ferdinand made it 3-1 with a shot on the turn that gave Nunn no chance.

But the men in purple and blue then hit a purple patch. Moore, who had scored a brilliant goal in the 2-0 semi-final win over Highmoor, reduced his side’s deficit in the 68th minute to putand Craig Sumner’s men were back in the game.

Baxter and Asa Povey both went close and Binfield, who had seen Howell limp off, were reeling on the ropes.

And the pressure paid off after 82 minutes when good work by Bennett and substitute Liam Tindell led to Ben Clark bringing the scores level.

Binfield, however, nearly grabbed the winner in the first of the four minutes of stoppage time.

Ferdinand, still going strong, rounded Nunn, only to see his effort headed off the line by Jack Thonpson-Wheeler, while Nunn saved comfortably from Lewis Leonetti.

At the other end, centre-back Leonetti was in the right place to stop Bennett from scoring early in extra time and then the Henley striker found the side-netting.

Bennett, along with substitute Jonathan Malone and Moore, were involved in the move that led to Povey putting Henley in front in the 101st minute.

Two minutes later Ferdinand flashed a low centre right across the face of the Henley goal with substitute Jean-Claude Ettiene just inches away from turning the ball into the net.

Ferdinand then headed over the bar before Henley teenager Tindell put the issue beyond doubt by making it 5-3 just before the final whistle.

Yet Binfield didn’t give up and went close to pulling a goal back.

They also had appeals for a penalty turned down when Thomas appeared to handle in the area.

But in the end, Henley deserved their win and, coming on the back of promotion to the Premier Division, it has been a memorable season for the Red Kites.