ROGER HERRIDGE is hoping his Binfield players can take their good run of form into next week’s rival showdown with Bracknell Town – but admits all the pressure is on the Robins.
Binfield sit sixth in the Hellenic Premier Division after Brad Pagliaroli’s strike earned them an impressive 1-1 draw away to leaders Highworth Town on Saturday.
After Monday’s clash with Highmoor-Ibis was called off, all eyes are now on the festive period with the Moles set for three home games in the space of eight days, including a clash with neighbours Bracknell on December 27th (7.45pm).
The Robins, who are fourth in the table, are on a fine winning run over Binfield stretching across the last two seasons, including two cup finals and the 6-1 thrashing handed out at Larges Lane in the league back in August.
And Herridge says Binfield will be the underdogs when the two lock horns again.
“On paper we shouldn’t be able to compete with them,” the Moles boss told The Wokingham Paper.
“That squad don’t come cheap. Anything other than promotion for that squad is a failure.
“All the pressure is on them.
“I’ve got a couple of question marks in terms of availability of a couple of players for that game, but we’ll get as competitive a squad out as possible and we’ll enjoy the night.
“We certainly won’t be there to get rolled over. Everyone would expect us to get beat so we’ll see what happens on the night.
“Hopefully there’s a big crowd there.
“They’re a very good squad of players and a great bunch of lads. Anything other than promotion for Bracknell is a failure. They need the points more desperately than we do.
“We’re just enjoying a little ride at the moment.”
He added: “Since Tally (Mark Tallentire) got the sack, I’ve stayed away from Larges Lane apart from when I went to watch Windsor play them the other week and you can’t fail to be impressed by them.
“They’ve got a real threat going forward and they’ve got experience.
“If you’re looking for a weakness in Bracknell’s side at the minute, you’d struggle to find one.
“On the night we’ll have to be on top of our game and hope that maybe they’re a little bit below par.
“If that’s the case, then we’ve got a good opportunity. The expectation is all on them.
“If we get beat it’s not going to change our season. If they get beat, it just puts a little bit more pressure on them.”
Since the last week of September, Binfield are on a run of just two defeats in 17 games in all competitions.
That run has propelled the Moles up into the top six and to a better points tally than at this stage last year.
And Herridge said his side cannot wait to get back out on the pitch each week, even at Christmas.
“Apart from my family and my work, football is a big part of my life,” he said.
“Any week without it is not a good week.
“I’m looking forward to the games over Christmas, I enjoy it.
“We were disappointed the other night not to play because we’re in good form and all you want to do is get back on the pitch and do it all over again.
“We’re on a good run and the boys have been really impressive.
“We’ve just got to keep learning, keep working hard for one another and see how high up the table that can take us.”
