IVER Heath Rovers FC have been beaten in the Ascot & District Cup final after a 2-1 defeat to Binfield Reserves.

The Church Road-based team lost to Suburban Football League club Binfield in this season’s final at Larges Lane, Bracknell.

Iver Heath went into the match last Wednesday on a high having won the East Berkshire League Cup earlier in the week.

Sam Abbott gave them a surprise half-time lead, but their chances of a double were undone by two late Binfield goals.

Iver Heath boss Tim Thorpe admits that the best team won on the night, though he is impressed with Rovers’ performance.

Speaking to The Observer, he said: “I thought that we would be capable of winning against a semi-professional team.

“Binfield Reserves are a very organised outfit who walked their division with games to spare.

“There were lots of rumours that they were going to put their first team in, but I didn’t care.

“Binfield are a very well organised club and not your normal Saturday pub team.

“They were looking for a league and cup double themselves, and the better side won in the end.

“But for 78 minutes we held our own and I’m very happy with the boys playing in their second final in five days.

“I was disappointed that we didn’t win but I’m impressed with the guys.

“To concede a 91st minute own goal was hard for the lads, but they didn’t take it to heart after the win on Monday.” Thorpe added: “The pitch at Bracknell has got a massive slope and you need to play against it in the first-half.

“We were one-nil up at half-time and everyone was confident, but we knew Binfield would not rest on their laurels.

“We knew that they would bombard us with everything and they could’ve scored two or three early on.

“Our legs went when Binfield got the equaliser, and there was only one team who looked like they were going to win.” Despite the loss, Iver Heath have still enjoyed one of their best-ever seasons and Thorpe wants to improve again next year.

He commented: “We were one game away from reaching three cup finals, and its our first year in the Premier Division.

“We wanted a top-five finish and one cup final, so this is better than what we thought we could achieve.

“It’s been a very good season and I’m both happy and disappointed at the same time. I feel enjoyment and sorrow.” Thorpe added: “The lads can’t wait to get back into it and want to keep the flow going with small-sided tournaments.

“The club is moving forward and every player has signed on again, plus seven or eight new additions.

“We’ve got to see how good they are, but we want to retain the League Cup and win the Premier Division.

“I would be disappointed if we’re not one of the top two teams next year.” **PICK up a copy of The Observer, out now, for all the latest sports news and action including pictures from Iver Heath Rovers against Binfield Reserves** **FOLLOW The Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**