A SEASON during which they largely underachieved ended on a disappointing note for Woodcote Stoke Row when they bowed out of the Reading Invitation Senior Cup, writes Dave Wright.

They lost 3-1 to Binfield when they replayed their semi-final that had been abandoned at the first time of asking due to fighting among players.

In the original tie, they were leading 1-0 and the Thames Valley Premier League side again scored first last Wednesday through a 12th-minute free-kick from Frank Dillon that took a deflection off the wall on its way to finding the left corner of the net.

WSR, however, only held the advantage for 10 minutes with Jon Bennett turning in a left-wing cross from close range.

There were chances at both ends in the closing stages of the first half and WSR returned to the attack on the resumption, forcing two early corners.

But their hopes of causing an upset ended when they conceded two further goals in quick succession.

Keeper Kane Roberts brought down Bennett just inside the area and Brad Pagliaroli made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. Six minutes later Ben Cook struck an excellent third goal to put the issue beyond doubt.

“We are all disappointed,” admitted manager Ross Weatherstone.

“I could not have asked for any more from the lads, they gave everything, but we were not quite good enough on the night.

“It was more of them (Binfield) being a little more creative in the final third, our final ball was not quite there tonight.

“But I cannot fault the work rate from my lads as I think we matched them in that area.

“I just thought the difference on the night was that they were more clinical in front of goal. Apart from that, there wasn’t much between the teams in my opinion.”

Weatherstone added: “I want to put on record that this game was played in a good spirit and hopefully puts that other debacle to bed.”

Asked to sum up the whole season, the manager commented: “To be honest, I am disappointed, as I think the boys underachieved in relationship to the quality there is in the dressing room.

“We need to be looking to go that little next step further. There are small margins in the game and that is where we need to be just that little smarter as a team.”

Weatherstone said he would like to bring in a few younger faces for next season to strengthen his squad.

  • BRACKNELL Town beat Binfield 3-0 in Saturday’s final – the sixth time this season they have beaten their local rivals.

TJ Bohane put the Robins in front with 10 minutes remaining, before substitute Khalid Senussi added the other goals.