ROGER HERRIDGE says Binfield will “make it as uncomfortable as possible” when neighbours Bracknell Town visit Stubbs Lane tonight.
The Robins are in more immediate need of the points as they chase the Hellenic Premier league title with Binfield down in seventh but Bracknell’s 11-game winning league run was halted with a draw against Flackwell Heath on Saturday.
While the Moles have not been able to keep pace in the title picture, they have set up a cup final showdown with Town as the two are set to clash in the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy in April and they will also meet in the quarter-finals of the Hellenic Challenge Cup.
And Herridge says that despite the league table, his side are keen to reverse the two previous defeats against Mark Tallentire’s men already this season and hand Bracknell a first Premier Division loss since November.
“I suppose you can call it a bit of a dress rehearsal for the County Cup final,” Herridge told The Wokingham Paper.
“Bracknell Town are a very good side and the reason they’re near the top of the league is not a coincidence.
“We’ve had two close games with them already this year but we’ve lost both of them so we need to find a solution to that and find some way of getting something out of the game on Monday night.
“We’ve still got two other cup competitions where we will face them so come May we’ll probably be sick to death of each other!”
Following Bracknell’s draw on Saturday, just two points separate the top three in the division with Thame and Flackwell Heath currently just above the Robins, who have games in hand.
And Herridge says that while it is too late for his side to mount any late charge for the top, he owes it to the other sides to put up a strong fight, despite his friendship with Bracknell boss Tallentire.
“It’s possibly a season-defining weekend for Bracknell with Flackwell Heath and then us,” he said.
“I’m sure that the lads at Thame and Flackwell will be looking for us to try and help them out on Monday night and we’ll be doing our best to do so.
“Tally (Mark Tallentire) is a mate of mine and I’ve got the utmost respect for him.
“In my time as assistant manager to Tall and in the time I’ve known him, I’ve learnt an awful lot from him.
“He’s got qualities that I’d love to have.
“You’re always trying to become a better manager and you learn from people like Tall really.
“He’s done a fantastic job and at the minute the league is theirs to lose but certainly on Monday night we won’t be turning up to make the numbers up that’s for sure.
“Our plan on Monday night is to make it as uncomfortable a night as possible for them.
“It’s a game that we’re looking forward to.”
