Following on from my report on the match last weekend it seemed that I really couldn’t allow for the events of this thrilling encounter not to be shared this weekend as well.
Bracknell were once again involved in the game of the division this week as they took on fellow playoff hopefuls Ware at Larges Lane on the more familiar 3G pitch looking to maintain their unbeaten home run, whilst the visitors desperately needed the three points to keep them in touch with Westfield for fear of just missing out.
With five of the division’s top goal scorers taking the pristine surface this afternoon it definitely seemed as though goals were on the cards for spectators who had come out to support their teams on this cold grey afternoon.
It was definitely Ware who saw their style of play work the better in the early exchanges allowing several early half chances for both sides as Brandon Adams and his strike partner Albert Adu looked to test Mark Scott in the Robins goal, although Liam Ferdinand did try to wriggle free of the visitors back four to get a shot away.
The first clear cut opportunity saw Ware take the lead when a crossfield pass was intercepted, and within 25 seconds the ball was in the back of the Bracknell net thanks to a rapid break which saw Adams add to his tally on the 20th minute.
With Bracknell looking to over complicate things when in good positions they finally played a simple ball out to the right allowing Dave Hancock to cross into the box, and at the far post Joel Jacobs was there to knock it back across the area, but it was well defended.
Moments later and the ball was up the other end where Scott saved from the menacing Adu to keep the deficit to just one goal.
However on the 31st minute the Bracknell defence was again exposed when superb work from Dave Cowley on the left gave him the chance to put a cross into the box which found the unmarked Adams in the middle, and he made no mistake to double the lead to 2-0.
On the next attack Adams had the chance to bag himself a hattrick, but his header was straight at Scott, and a weak back header nearly allowed Adu to get on the scoresheet.
At this point Bracknell were rocking, with memories of the earlier 7-2 away defeat in everyone’s mind, they needed something positive to work for them, and it appeared that it had when Ferdinand finally found himself some space in the box. He flicked the ball up around the defender and it struck his arm, but as the cries of handball rung out round the ground the referee waved away those appeals allowing play to continue.
Ashleigh Artwell finally managed to strike the first real shot of any consequence for the Robins, but Calum Kitscha was equal to it.
The final action of the half saw Cowley fail to capitalise on the space that he created for himself when his shot sailed high and wide.
Half time: Bracknell Town 0 – 2 Ware
As the teams emerged for the second half The Robins had made a double change with Joe Gater and Anton Rodgers going off to be replaced by Seb Bowerman and Kensley Maloney with the formation being switch to 4-4-2.
Initially this showed promise as Maloney played Ferdinand in on goal only for Kitscha to collect the ball at this feet, and Bowerman being crowded out when he had a chance to shoot.
Again it was the visitors who had a better chance though when Williams Danquah’s cross found and with Scott beaten Ryan Parsons had to head Adu’s header off the line.
Joe Grant created an opportunity for himself by coming in off the right wing, but he sent it high and wide.
Ware had another superb opportunity to increase their lead when Cowley again created plenty of space to get a cross which allowed Adu to shoot, but his goalbound shot appeared to ricochet away off his own player.
And with that the tide suddenly turned as Ferdinand was able to get down to the bye-line for the first time, and without hesitation Bowerman had slammed the ball home on the 70th minute to get a goal back. Mind you the Ware players were up in arms about the fact that there had been an offside in the buildup play.
Five minutes later and it was Bracknell’s turn to break away as recent substitute Adam Cornell was played through with only the keeper to beat, and he went round Kitscha to put the ball into an empty net.. 2-2!
Now this match had really come alight, a cross in from Bowerman was just missed by a lunging Grant.
Adu pulled a shot wide when an opportunity presented itself.
Ferdinand hit a low ball into the 6 yard box but Cornell couldn’t reach it due to a last ditch sliding tackle.
The resulting corner kick was head towards the net by Matt Day, but again Grant just couldn’t get the vital touch on it.
Adu had another opportunity, but Scott was able to save at his feet.
Bowerman put in another cross which just needed the merest of touches, but it sailed across the face of goal.
As the time rolled over into stoppage time there was still the opportunity for more drama though as Bowerman sent in yet another inswinging ball, but this time Ferdinand rose to head it home off the inside of the right hand post completing a remarkable comeback, and send Larges Lane into raptures.
Full time: Bracknell Town 3 – 2 Ware
Bracknell Town:Scott, Hancock, Jacobs, Gater (Bowerman), Day, Parsons, Bayley, Rodgers (Maloney), Grant, Ferdinand & Artwell (Cornell). Unused Subs: Davies & Moore
Ware: Kitscha, Casey, Danquah, Bruno, Louis Rose, Madden, Daveney, Leigh Rose, Adams, Adu & Cowley. Subs: Watson, John, Yexley, Campbell & Bennett
Main image: Liam Ferdinand celebrates by Neil Graham.
