BINFIELD boss Roger Herridge says rivals Bracknell Town are the best team his side have faced this season.
The Moles suffered late heartbreak against the Robins for the second time this season last week when Kensley Maloney struck a stoppage time winner.
And while Herridge feels his side deserved a point from the contest at Larges Lane, he acknowledges the qualities Bracknell now possess.
“They’re a good side,” the Binfield boss told The Wokingham Paper.
“They’re the best side we’ve played.
“They beat us in the Vase (in September) and I know we were 1-0 up but we were holding on for a long time before they equalised and ultimately went on to win the game.
“I thought we looked a far better side in the league game than we did in that Vase game.”
Bracknell, who have won nine games in a row, now sit second in the Hellenic Premier Division, two points off leaders Thame United with a game in hand.
Binfield have played both those two teams in recent weeks and face another tough test against Highworth Town on Saturday with Herridge claiming the title will be won by one of those three sides.
“We are coming up to Christmas now and they certainly don’t give out too many trophies at Christmas do they,” said the Moles manager.
“If they (Bracknell) can keep that squad fit and together I think the side that finishes above Bracknell will win the league.
“Bracknell are the best side we’ve played, with probably Highworth running them close.
“I think Highworth are a good side as well.
“Thame are top of the table and they’re winning more often than not so I think Thame will go the full distance.
“For me the winner will come from those three.”
He continued: “Based on what I’ve seen, Bracknell are the best side in it.
“They’ve got a nice mix of youth and an awful lot of experience.
“Sometimes you’ve only got to look at a team’s substitutes bench to see how strength in depth they’ve got.
“I had a strong bench in the game against them but when they look on their bench they’ve got Kensley you can bring on, who you know can change the game in a minute, and George Short who would probably walk into most sides in the league above.
“For me, they are the team to beat.”
Binfield bounced back from defeat to Bracknell with a 5-3 win over Longlevens last weekend thanks to a hat-trick from Liam Ferdinand and two for Lewis Leonetti.
The victory left the Moles seventh in the table ahead of Saturday’s clash with fifth placed Highworth.
