Bermuda defender Reese Jones Jr has dedicated his first goal for Binfield to coach Ross Weatherstone, who is undergoing treatment for skin cancer.

Jones opened the scoring for Binfield 24 minutes into their Isthmian League Cup quarter-final 2-1 victory over Hastings United on Tuesday when he thumped the ball into the net when the opposition failed to clear Luke Weyborn’s throw in before his cousin Rahzir Smith-Jones scored from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Adam Lovatt pulled one back for the home side just before the end.

The Bermuda right back, who has been with the English semi-professional football club for a year, immediately turned to Weatherstone, the man who has been in and out of the dugout during treatment.

Binfield announced in October that Weatherstone would be taking a break from the sidelines while he recovers from surgery.

“I felt like scoring the goal was a big motivation for the coach and the club to keep everyone going,” Jones said.

“The coach is undergoing chemotherapy as part of his cancer treatment. We met in 2022 and we've had a good relationship since then, so that goal was a token towards him for his trials and tribulations, because it’s been hard for him.

“He’s been away from the team for the past couple of months and going for treatment. He came back last Saturday and travelled with us to Hastings, so that’s why when I scored, I celebrated with him.”

Weatherstone was delighted to see Jones, a player he took to Hartley Wintney in 2022, and spoke of the conversation they had before the match.

“I’ve been working with Reese since 2022 when I gave him his debut at Step 3 when I signed him at Hartley Wintney, but he had never scored for me during that period,’’ the coach said.

“To see him score his first goal for Binfield on Tuesday was fantastic, and I was delighted for him. Before the game, we shared an honest, open conversation, which I felt was really positive for both of us.

“I knew walking away from that discussion that he was going to score and impact the game in a big way. Football has a funny way of rewarding us sometimes.

“Reese and I have shared a solid football journey together over the last few years. To hear he dedicated that goal to me and to celebrate the goal the way we did during the game, it really means more to me than the result.

“As a coach, sometimes we can take our relationships and how we can influence players for granted. It’s moments like this that remind you as a coach how powerful face-to-face conversations with players are.

“I’m excited to continue to support Reese on his football journey in England and excited to see how far his talent can take him.”

Jones, who is comfortable in any position assigned to him, missed some matches for the Reading-based club because of international duty and returning to Bermuda for Christmas.

“I play anywhere I’m asked to,” he said. “I’m naturally a right back, but over the last couple of games I've been playing as a winger and a No 10.”

On Tuesday, the cousins were part of six Bermudians in the match day squad. The others were first-choice goalkeeper Coleridge Fubler, back-up keeper Nkenge Durham, Malachi Henry and Daquio Stewart.

Fubler won the Moment of the Month award for December for his double save in Binfield’s goalless draw against Kingstonian. Riley Robinson is also part of the squad, but the midfielder has been on the island playing for St George’s in the Premier Division.

Smith-Jones has been in fine scoring form this season with six goals in seven matches. The 24-year-old, who played twice for Bermuda in 2019, could be recalled when Michael Findlay announces his squad for Gold Cup preliminary round matches against Honduras in March.

“There’s no greater honour for me than being able to represent Bermuda,” he said.

“I’ve been available for selection for a number of windows now. If I do get called up and if the time is right for me, returning to the national squad is definitely something I would consider.

“Representing the country on a consistent basis has always been my dream. I believe that will happen when it’s supposed to happen. At the moment I’m enjoying my football and scoring goals and, hopefully, that continues until the end of the season.

“So far I've played 33 times this season, scored ten goals and provided three assists, which isn’t too bad.

“I haven’t played much senior football prior to the beginning of 2024 due to Covid-19 and injuries. Now that I’m able to play a large volume of games week in week out as well as putting up stats, that’s the most important thing for me at the moment.”

Bermuda head coach Findlay confirmed that they were keeping an eye on the forward, who played youth football for Queens Park Rangers.

“We are keenly aware of Rahzir and it’s nice to see that he’s scoring goals,’’ the coach said. “As with all the players we have on our key target list, he is under consideration for selection in all our national fixtures.”