Bracknell 3 0 West Hampstead

Bracknell claimed a much needed win in MBBO division 4 with a solid performance at home against West Hampstead. Last minute call ups to the first team had thrown their pre-match plans into disarray, however by a happy accident they may just have stumbled upon their best formation: with Rob Badley called up to the first team, Richard Jones stepped up from the 3s leaving Bracknell with three good centre halves in their squad. Rather than play one of these out of position, captain Tom Withey elected to play with all three of them at centre back, and no other defenders. There were five in midfield and two up front. The makeshift formation proved an instant success as Bracknell crowded the midfield and smothered West Hampstead while the excellent Joners, along with Chris Keeley and Ywain Martin mopped up most of what came their way. Indeed, it was a mopping up job from Richard Jones that lead to their first goal, as he collected the ball inside his own half and hit a long pass directly to an unmarked Tom Scott, who beat the keeper with the minimum of fuss.

Despite playing well to get the goal, Bracknell looked vulnerable at times, and they were indebtedto their goalkeeper on a number of occasions for preserving Bracknell’s lead. Bracknell absorbed all that West Hampstead had to throw at them, and on the stroke of half time got a second goal; it was a briliant sucker punch. Another long pass from defence found Shaun Mcinnes, who linked up with strike partner Tom Scott. Four passes between them beat two defenders, and then Mcinnes applied the finish. Two nil to Bracknell at half time.

In the second half Bracknell were expecting an onslaught from West Hampstead, that in fact never arrived. The home side never looked out of their comfort zone, and it was no surprise that they took their third goal, It was Jones again who turned provider, picking out Tom Scott with another long pass from defence, that left Scott with only the keeper to beat. Scott knocked the ball wide to leave the keeper sprawled, stopped the ball, steadied himself, then smashed the ball in the top corner. A brilliant finish.

It was one of their best performances of the season, and just reward for some good performances in ther preceding games which yielded little.