Bracknell Town’s Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division promotion hopes took a dent on Saturday afternoon as league leaders Highworth Town beat the Robins by a solitary second half Callum Parsons strike.
Former Bracknell goalkeeper Garry Aulsberry kept a clean sheet as the Robins were unable to break down the Wiltshire side who have been beaten just once all season and could have been 2-0 up prior to the opening goal if it weren’t for two goal line clearances from Bracknell.
Bracknell had a penalty shout denied in the second half when Jamie McClurg was bundled over in the box on 58 minutes and the home side scored the only goal of the game on 66 minutes when Parsons shot was deflected past Chris Grace.
There was late drama as Grace went up for and met a corner, only to see it crash against the bar and with the final whistle moments later Highworth extended their lead over the Robins to 19 points – although Bracknell have four games in hand.
The race for promotion is now most likely for second place between the Robins and Thatcham Town who had former Robin Liam Ferdinand to thank after the striker came off the bench to break the deadlock at Longlevens and give the Kingfishers a 2-0 win.
Binfield were 2-0 up at half time at home to Royal Wootton Bassett Town – the side that beat them 7-3 in Wiltshire just over a month ago with Alex Colverd and Ian Davies both scoring. Bassett had a man sent off in the second half and then pulled one back but substitute Luke Hayden made it safe for the Moles with the third goal in a 3-1 win.
Windsor beat Lydney Town 2-1 at Stag Meadow thanks to first half Ricardo Cannon and Andy Ingram goals while Kieron Knight missed a penalty before the visitors pulled one back and Woodley United’s home tie with Wantage Town was postponed.
Full time #hlprem results today.
Ascot United 0-4 Oxford City Nomads
Binfield 3-1 Royal Wootton Bassett Town
Highworth Town 1-0 Bracknell Town
Longlevens 0-2 Thatcham Town
Windsor 2-1 Lydney Town pic.twitter.com/QCAayZNuiC— Football in Berkshire (@fiberkshire) December 30, 2017
