Bingham Town management target Notts Senior League double after proving their worth in Carlton Town Notts Senior Cup clash

After proving their ability against a team three divisions above, Mark Boyes believes Bingham Town have the qualities to kick on and win the NSL league and cup double.

The Notts Senior League title challengers, who are second to Southwell City on goal difference, took a near full-strength Carlton Town side to extra-time in round four of the Notts Senior Cup, in what Boyes said was the biggest game in the club’s history.

And after a 1-0 win against Sandiacre Town, courtesy of a first half Tom Spencer penalty, he said the focus was firmly on winning the league and league cup.

“We had never played anyone in a league as high as Carlton before, so it is fair to say it was (our biggest game in our history),” said assistant manager Boyes, who has been at the club for more than 20 years as a player and coach.

After a goalless first half, Bingham took the lead through Ed Hogdson, who fired home from the edge of the area after top-scorer Jake Hardy hit the bar.

Carlton levelled on 70 minutes through Tyler Blake, as the hosts brought on their usual front line having opted to rest their strikers.

After seven minutes of extra-time, and chances at either end, another substitute in Mamoke Akaunu made it 2-1. The cup run was over.

“We treated it as the biggest game of the season,” said Boyes. “We put the strongest possible side out and we were the better side for 90 minutes.

“I don’t think they expected us to be prepared physically and mentally, but we were from off.

“One of the key things that surprised them was our fitness.

“They had done their homework on us because they tried to man mark Jake Hardy.”

Boyes said one of the key reasons behind Bingham’s success this season, other than their good work on the ball, was their efforts out of possession.

He said player-for-player his team had the best endurance in the league, and pointed out left midfielder Callum Leach as the fittest player he had seen at this level (step seven).

Bingham tend to operate with a 3-5-2 with Euan Sweeting and Hardy leading the line, meaning they are dependant on energetic wide players to provide width in attack, while also providing defensive cover.

Boyes said Bingham’s front two, who are first and second in the league’s scoring charts, had developed a great partnership and would be key if they were to win the league and league cup.

“We have been brilliant since that 5-0 loss to Burton Joyce on the first day of the season,” he said.

“It was a wake up call straight away and we went on a 13-game winning run after that.

“Teams now tend to set up defensively when they play us, which works out better for us in some ways.

“We just have to keep this going and the goal is to win the double, 100%”

On Saturday, Bingham travel to last season’s champions Stapleford Town, who have struggled this term having lost several key players (kick off 2pm).

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