BINFIELD FC manager Roger Herridge offered no excuses after seeing his side lose 3-0 at home to Ardley United on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

“We got what we deserved – absolutely nothing,” he admitted.

Herridge gave a debut to new signing Jon Bennett, the much-travelled striker previously with Flackwell Heath and Thatcham, on a day when he saw his injury list grow even longer.

“I am very pleased to have signed him,” said Herridge.

“He is an experienced striker and a proven scorer at this level.”

With Sean Moore, Brad Pagliaroli, Ross Seldon, Luke Hayden and Chris Dean missing through injury and illness, the Moles suffered further blows when Alex Walton and Jeff Brown were both hurt during the game.

“We’ve got a few too many injuries for my liking at the moment,” said Herridge. “It means I am giving opportunities to other players, but sadly some of them are struggling to make an impression at the moment.”

The manager, however, was pleased with the way his side defended for much of the game.

But they became unsettled after injuries to Walton just before the end of a goalless first half and centre-back Brown, who was his side’s best player, early in the second half.

Binfield suffered a further blow when Ardley took the lead just after the hour mark through Leam Howards.

“That was a great finish but the other two goals were down to individual errors,” commented Herridge.

In-form Ardley, who had won seven of their previous eight games, doubled their advantage through Nathaniel Lewars on 73 minutes and the same player scored again three minutes from time.

Binfield’s best scoring chances fell to Grant Kemp and substitute Bennett, but they could not find a way past keeper Nick Bennion.

“Going forward we lacked pace and a bit of quality,” summed up Herridge.

“We were simply beaten by the much better side on the day. We were missing too many players, who would have made a difference to us if they had been out there.

“But we will put this game behind us and move on as we are going into some very tough games.”

Binfield, who are eighth in the table, visit third-placed Thame United this Saturday (3pm) and a week later go to Thatcham, who are currently in fourth spot.