Bracknell Town recorded their fifth successive win in all competitions to see off Burnham and progress in the Perpetua Press Hellenic Floodlit Cup tonight.
Preparations were severely hampered with goalkeeper Chris Grace being unwell by the side of the pitch so occasional goalkeeper Callum Whitty donned the gloves.
Manager Mark Tallentire also handed debuts to youth team regular central defender Taylor Sheeran and new signing young full-back Jordan Ford.
The opening goal came in the sixth minute when Tyrhrs Gordon-Miller lost the ball to Joe Grant and his right sided cross was superbly controlled by Adam Cornell just outside the penalty area with the striker turning on a sixpence and firing in via the left hand post.
TJ Bohane sent a free-kick over the wall but straight at goalkeeper Joe Broadley before Carl Withers curled an effort over the crossbar.
In the 29th minute, Broadley rushed out to the right touchline to tackle Khalid Senussi but came worse off and after four minutes of treatment was replace by substitute Paul Abbott, a left-back by trade.
Burnham were extremely hard working but lacked that real spark of quality though they fashioned a few chances with their best in the first half seeing Bangura firing at Whitty from long range on 36 minutes.
With the half drawing to a close, Grant headed Senussi’s cross over before he also shot straight at Abbott.
Half Time: Burnham 0 – 1 Bracknell Town
The Robins started the second half brightly and Carl Davies headed wide right with stand-in keeper Abbott making a fantastic save to deny Cornell who had met Ford’s cross.
Sam Bangura had a sixtieth minute free-kick for the home side which beat the wall but not Whitty.
Bohane got his customary goal on 67 minutes to double the advantage. John Gray’s lofted pass was bought down brilliantly by the forward who swivelled and fired into the left corner.
The home side responded well but Cheyenne Cripps could only find Whitty from a tight angle before Sam Bangura missed to the right.
Whitty then made a very good save from substitute Elliott Amadieu as Burnham were having a really good go.
In the last ten minutes, Grant and Bohane both headed set pieces wide left whilst Cornell’s free-kick was just over the crossbar as the Robins held on to advance into the next round.
The hosts can be proud of their endeavour as they stuck to the task throughout but Bracknell had that extra bit of quality needed to get through.
There were two good debuts for young defenders along with a first clean sheet of the season which will give Tallentire plenty of options as he prepares his side to travel to Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Saturday as they resume league action.
Full Time: Burnham 0 – 2 Bracknell Town
Burnham: J Broadley (Abbott 33), Nelson (Akmel 61), Gordon-Miller, S Bangura, Moyo, W Broadley, Kalinga (Amadieu 72), Clack, Cripps, I Bangura, Gabriel. Subs not used:
Bracknell Town: Whitty, Ford (Roberts 73), Gray, Withers (Short 84), Sheeran, Davies, Grant, McClurg (Maloney 82), Cornell, Bohane, Senussi. Sub not used: Bowerman.
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