Robinson proud of young players as teenage contingent help Town to cup win over Binfield
Hungerford Town boss Danny Robinson was proud of how his young players performed as the Crusaders booked their spot in the next round of the Berks and Bucks Cup following a comfortable 4-2 win over Binfield last night.
Robinson made eight changes from Saturday's impressive 2-0 FA Trophy win over Truro City, handing a debut to former Aston Villa teenager Luke Softley at centre-half. The Town boss also handed competitive debuts to second half substitutes Toby Thorp and Callum Ginger, a product of the club's academy, while 17-year-old trialist Ben Luckett scored the fourth goal after he was introduced from the bench. Another trialist, formerly of National League side Boreham Wood, played the whole game at left-back.
Adulai Sambu tapped in the opener, Great Evans continued his return from a knee injury with a brace before Luckett, a teenage midfielder currently impressing at Kintbury, completed the home side's scoring. Towering Binfield frontman Manuchim Oke-William bagged two late consolation goals inside the final quarter-of-an-hour for struggling Binfield, who are still without a league win this season following 14 Isthmian League South Central matches.
And Robinson was delighted with the midweek fixture, which also gave him a chance to hand a full 90 minutes to fringe players Slavi Spasov and Jack Stanley, while Portuguese midfielder Fabio Lopes started for the first time since a serious injury.
"It was a brilliant night. There's not many matches as a manager where you can sit and relax a little bit," he said.
"When I woke up this morning, I wanted players that haven't had many minutes lately to go and get minutes, which they all did.
"I wanted to have a good look at a couple of the academy players who have been doing really well.
"We know about a local talent called Ben Luckett as well who has been plying his trade over at Kintbury. I have to say a massive thank you to Danny Langford (Kintbury manager) for letting him come over.
"It was a brilliant exercise. Binfield kept us honest for 95 minutes and we're just pleased to get through to the next round."
Goalscorer Luckett, who has impressed Gers head coach Langford with his dynamic displays this term, made a real impression following his second half cameo and Robinson was full of praise for the teenage midfielder.
He said: "He's from a good footballing family. I've known his dad, Tim, for quite some time.
"He's a terrific talent. He's someone that has been on our radar a little bit.
"He's a Kintbury player and he needs to continue learning his trade, which he is doing really well.
"He's got a bright future, and so have all the young lads we saw tonight. It just shows we do put our trust in youngsters and there is a pathway here."
There was also a third Crusaders debut for central defender Baboucarr Jarra. Jarra, who was an integral part of Robinson's 2018 FA Vase-winning Thatcham Town team, starting in the final, is back at Bulpit Lane to provide cover and competition. Fellow defender Jack Wright, who is in the armed forces, is set to miss at least a week due to work commitments.
"Jack Wright is a serviceman, and he does go away for a week coming up, so we're going to miss him," Robinson said.
"Luke Softley is still a young lad. He's going to be a very good centre-half but there's still lots of rawness to him.
"I know what I get with Babs, we've had a massive journey in non-league. I know how good of a player he is, and so we've now got four very good centre-halves."
Former Aston Villa teenager Luke Softley will likely remain fourth choice, although the 18-year-old enjoyed a composed Crusaders debut – just a few days after making his senior bow with Royal Wootton Bassett. Perhaps unsurprisingly given his Premier League pedigree, the youngster impressed on the ball and managed to keep man mountain Manuchim Oke-William quiet until his two late goals.
Robinson said: "He's not like a normal youngster. He's loud, he's commanding – a lot of these young lads nowadays don't say boo to a goose.
"He's got everything going for him, 100 per cent. Tonight was his second senior game in men's football. I'm very, very proud of him. We've just got to nurture him in the right way."
Town, who are still unbeaten at home all season, are back in Southern Premier League South action this Saturday and welcome 19th-placed Harrow Borough, who have won just one of their last seven.
"The club's bouncing at the moment, especially in the changing room. It's a good place to be," Robinson said.
"Saturday was our most complete performance of the season, we've just got to go and back that up now."
