BINFIELD STEP CLOSER TO WEMBLEY DREAM
BINFIELD are a step closer to achieving their Wembley dream after a dramatic penalty shootout victory in the fourth-round of the FA Vase over Fakenham Town.
The Moles made club history by securing their place in the fifth round of the competition, where they will play Hadley away from home on Saturday.
As they did in the previous round against Deal Town, the Moles were on the end of an early goal to get the tie off to a tricky start. With just five minutes on the clock, Callum Brain puts the hosts in front.
But Binfield recovered from their poor start, held their nerve and fired themselves back into the cup tie as Jesh Helmore pulled the visitors level in the 33rd minute.
The first-half ended with the tie hanging in the balance at 1-1 with both sides pushing to secure their place in the next round.
The second-half began with the same frantic tempo with both sides going close to taking the lead.
But it was the home side who took advantage to go ahead for the second time in the contest on the hour mark when Brain notched his second goal of the afternoon as he finished from close range.
Binfield fought back instantly and had an equaliser within two minutes as Helmore claimed his brace.
With neither side able to find a winning goal in the remainder of the 90 minutes, the game was decided by a penalties.
Josh Howell slotted the first penalty for the Moles, while Fakenham levelled.
George Short scored to put the Moles back in front and Binfield goalkeeper Chris Grace pulled off a big save to give his side the advantage.
Sean Moore converted his spot kick and Grace performed more heroics as he kept out the next Fakenham kick to put the Moles on the brink.
Jamie McClurg then slotted away his penalty to put Binfield through to the next round with a 4-1 penalty shootout victory to book their place in the fifth-round.
Binfield co-manager McClurg said: “Left the house at 6.30am, back at 8.30pm but worth every minute. This squad of players deserved everything they earned. From 1-18, these lads gave it all.”