Encouraging point for Bracknell Town as Robins search for perfect formula

It’s been a difficult few weeks at Bracknell Town. The club are on their second manager of the season and are rooted at the bottom of their division. They’ll have been encouraged by their 1-1 draw with Chertsey Town.

The Robins had much the better of the first half and it was two senior players combining with Seb Bowerman crossing for the ever-willing Joe Grant to prod home. It was no less than Bracknell deserved after dominating possession in the first half.

Now for the bad bit. Bracknell Town announced the appointment of a new goalkeeping coach this week. What he will have made of Chertsey Town’s equalier is anyone’s guess. A Robins defender during a goal line scramble smacked the ball into a helpless Harvey Randle and the ball nestled in the Bracknell Town net.

The Robins never really recovered from the setback and found it tough in the second half with Chertsey Town having the better chances. The best came on the 47th minute when Luke Robertson had an opportunity to give Chertsey the lead from the penalty spot. The spotkick was saved by Harvey Randle in the Bracknell goal, much to the delight of the travelling Robins faithful some of whom began chanting “Eacott! Eacott” (a force of habit?) before being quickly corrected by fellow fans.

There were unsurprising solid displays from former Robins Darryl Harrison in defence, an assured midfield display from Ashley Lodge while Gary Abisogun showed some clever touches on the ball after coming of the bench late on. But these players are the past for Bracknell, of the present Robins Bowerman and Grant showed their undoubted quality, Max Herbert was excellent patrolling in front of the defence.

Outside of Bowerman, Grant and Herbert, no other player in Bracknell’s starting XI had played more than four games for the club this season. It perhaps demonstrates why the team can’t quite stay in games for the full 90 minutes.

Robins manager Saunders is still trying to create that perfect formula that will turn the team’s fortunes around.

With rumours of new players arriving soon (and the very welcome sight of George Knight training on the Alwyns Lane pitch pre-match) you’d expect them to begin a steady rise up the league. Their first chance to do so will be on Wednesday evening against a Gosport Borough side who lost 4-3 to Basingstoke Town over the weekend.

Two former Bracknell Town loanees have already found new clubs. Teddy Tarbotton has joined National League South Farnborough while Wales U18 international Charlie Street has signed for Walton & Hersham.