BINFIELD have not lost on three trips to Brimscombe & Thrupp this season, knocking them out of two cups and drawing in the league, with the latest visit coming in the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup on Tuesday last week when they won on penalties.

But it was a different story at home last Saturday, with the Moles losing 2-0 to the Hellenic League Premier Division leaders, who have now shot seven points clear of the rest of the field.

The Gloucestershire side came to Hill Farm Lane hungry for revenge and were clearly the better side in the opening half.

They took the lead in the 25th minute when Jake Parrott's shot cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and James Campbell headed the ball over the line.

Ian Davies, who had scored twice and also netted in the penalty shoot-out at Brimscombe, had a good chance to equalise when he broke through, only to shoot past the post.

Shortly afterwards, in the 40th minute, the Moles gifted the visitors a goal when left-back Charlie Tuttle's header was intercepted and led to Jack Smith firing past keeper Dave Lyons.

Binfield had come back from two down to level things up by the end of 90 minutes last week, but a repeat never looked likely on this occasion. This was despite an improved second-half performance which saw the hosts have plenty of possession, only to let themselves down in the final third.

Davies had a couple of half chances, while Stephen Peacock saw his effort parried by keeper Ashley Gale and substitute Eddie Lee was also not far away from pulling a goal back late in the game.

No Binfield player was outstanding, but midfielder Danny Horscroft did enough to show why he had been named the club's player of the month for January.

There was some good news to come out of the club on Saturday with chairman Bob Bacon revealing Binfeld had received another FA Community Club Award which reflects the high standard of coaching carried out by several volunteers.

"In their letter congratulating us, the FA said we were among the best in the clubs in the country," stated Bacon.

"We have also had our annual floodlights inspection and passed with flying colours, being way above the minimum requirements. Not all Hellenic League clubs have been successful."

Following their win at Brimscombe, Binfield have been drawn away to Windsor in the quarter-finals of the Floodlit Cup on February 26.

The two sides were scheduled to meet in the league at Stag Meadow last night (Tuesday).

This coming Saturday, the mid-table Moles travel to sixth-placed Royal Wootton Bassett.