Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 2:00pm

Mighty Moles in seventh heaven

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Steve Nebbett was among the Moles players praised by manager Steve McClurg this week

BINFIELD boss Steve McClurg believes his side's strength in depth has been the key to their success in their maiden season in the Hellenic Premier Division.

The Moles have flown up to sixth place after their sensational run of seven straight league wins.

On Saturday that stunning sequence will be put to the test when they travel to fellow high-flyers Witney United, who before Tuesday evening had won eight and drawn one of their last nine home games.

However McClurg says that fixture holds no fear for the Moles, who he lavished praise on this week.

He said: "We are more than capable of beating anyone when we perform well, that is the key. And we have been putting in some really good shifts recently.

"We have been forced to put square pegs in round holes a few times, but the players have shown they are up to it.

"On Saturday Danny Wing, who is an attacking player, played at left back for us and I thought he was very good.

"Jack Tallentire started on the bench, but when he came on in the second half he did very well, he was very influential.

"James Suarez has been excellent, Steve Nebbett has done well when he's come in. I could roll them all off because they are all doing well.

"I've said all season it is about the squad not the first XI and the players have really bought into that.

"We know how good a side Witney are. But we already beat them 2-0 at our place, so we believe we can do it again."

On Saturday Binfield hosted Kidlington. The Oxfordshire side arrived at Stubbs Lane in fifth place, but were trounced 6-1 by McClurg's in-form side.

Ian Davies scored his second hat-trick in three games to take his tally to nine goals since joining the club at the end of last month.

Callum Whitty also moved onto nine goals for the season with a brace, while Tim Walsh notched the final goal in the impressive win.

McClurg said: "Saturday was excellent. We played very, very well.

"We had to make a few changes, but the players that came in all played their part.

"Ian Davies scored another hat-trick and his third goal was a terrific header from a very good cross by Jack Tallentire."

That result set the Moles up nicely for Monday evening's visit of Shrivenham, who gave Binfield a good game before McClurg's side won 3-1.

The Binfield boss said: "We went into that on a high, but we had to work hard for our win.

"I thought they were a very good side. They had some good players and I'm surprised they are where they are in the league to be honest."

Red-hot striker Davies missed a glorious opportunity to put the Moles in front early on when his penalty was saved by Kurtis Sharkey.

However from the resulting corner the hosts did edge ahead when Carl Withers' centre curled directly into the net.

After the break Shrivenham equalised through a long-range effort by Richie Saunders before the Moles forged ahead again when Withers' shot deflected into the net off a defender after coming back off the post.

Central defender Ryan Millward then made the game safe with a spectacular third goal.

McClurg added: "Ryan scored a really good goal. He chested it down with his back to goal and then did a bicycle kick.

"The second one came from a shot by Carl Withers, so he is definitely claiming that one.

"They gave us a good game, but once we got two ahead we were definitely the most powerful side and deserved to win."

* BINFIELD were given another boost in the last week with the return of striker Johnny Dyer after three months on the sidelines.

The former Bracknell Town forward came on for the closing stages of Binfield's wins over Kidlington and Shrivenham. And Moles boss Steve McClurg admits he will keep Dyer wrapped up in cotton wool until he is 100 per cent fit.

He said: "We are lucky at the moment that Ian Davies and Callum Whitty are scoring plenty of goals, so there is no need to rush Johnny back.

"He is a quality player, so it is good to have the extra option. But we will give him all the time he needs to recover."