A MUCH-CHANGED and youthful Binfield side slipped to a 4-2 defeat in their FA Vase second qualifying round tie at Fareham on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

“It was disappointing, but we were not helped by being so depleted due to injury and availability,” bemoaned manager Roger Herridge.

He named three 18-year-olds in his starting line-up, while two others and 16-year-old Jamie Griggs were on the bench.

“I am all for giving young players a chance, but we need to have the right experience around them,” said Herridge.

“They will learn from experience, but it would be wrong to expect too much from them at this stage.”

The manager was also forced to include new signing Ryan Millward, who has rejoined the club after not playing for a season-and-a-half and had only trained last Thursday.

Moles, who had lost 5-0 at Flackwell Heath in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup on Tuesday of last week, missed a golden chance to take a second-minute lead at Fareham when they were awarded a penalty, but teenager Alex Colverd’s spot kick struck the post.

Five minutes later the Moles found themselves trailing to a goal from Curt Robbins.

Luke Hayden and Colverd both went close to equalising before the Creeksiders doubled their advantage through Scott Hamilton on 40 minutes.

Callum Laycock headed in a third in the 64th minute, but eight minutes later the Moles pulled one back when Colverd turned home a Gary Smith cross.

Brad Pagliaroli squandered a chance to reduce the deficit even further and substitute Josh Miller forced the keeper into making a smart save.

The pressure paid off with Binfield being awarded another penalty and this time Pagliaroli made no mistake.

But their fight-back came to an end when Sam Kessack netted Fareham’s fourth goal on 86 minutes.

Herridge concluded: “We just didn’t have strength and experience on the day. All their goals came from our mistakes.”

  • FULL back Jack Thompson-Wheeler was named Binfield's Player of the Month for September. 

Meanwhile, fellow defended George Lock has left the club for a second time, and is expected to join Ascot United.