Bracknell Mens 2 v Henley 3's score 5-0

Scorers: Own Goal, Chris Keeley, Oli Greatbatch (2) Tom Scott

Bracknell made their intentions clear from the start by playing with a lone striker and five across the midfield, a formation which allowed them to boss the middle of the pitch. This was made easier by the fact that Henley started the game with only ten players, and although they won some short corners early on it was Bracknell who dominated possession. But domination on the ball did not easily turn in to domination in front of goal as Henley’s resolute defending denied Bracknell time and again. Henley lost a player through injury early in the first half, but still Bracknell struggled to score despite being camped out on the edge of the Henley D.

When the breakthrough finally came it was thanks to an own goal, turned in to the net by a Henley defender from a Shaun McInnes cross. A second was added just before the break thanks to a powerful hit from Chris Keeley at a short corner.

Whilst Henley no doubt tired in the second half, their defence continued to frustrate Bracknell’s attacks. This time though Bracknell were more circumspect up front, and were patient enough to wait for an opportunity to arise rather than trying to force one. This yielded three second half goals, two from Oli Greatbatch and one from Tom Scott whilst Bracknell’s goalkeeper was redundant at the the other end.

So a solid rather than spectacular performance has yielded Bracknell’s first points of the season. They will hope there will be many more to come.