Bracknell Town banish opening day demons as Yateley United make FA Cup progress

Round-up: Bracknell Town put a heavy opening day defeat behind them while Yateley United overcame Alton in an FA Cup replay
Bracknell Town's Ruben Bartlett-Antwi. Photo: John Leakey.
Bracknell Town's Ruben Bartlett-Antwi. Photo: John Leakey.

Bracknell Town banished thoughts of a heavy opening day defeat with an impressive 3-2 win at home to Gloucester City in the Southern League Premier Division South on Tuesday night.

Bracknell had been beaten 7-0 at Plymouth Parkway on Saturday – a game relived by Robins fan and photographer John Leakey here – but went some way to restoring confidence with a win over a Gloucester City side that finished third in the division last season.

Ruben Bartlett-Antwi scored twice for Bracknell either side of half-time with a Gloucester City equaliser at 1-0, while new signing Harry Cooksley made it 3-1 on 50 minutes.

Ed Williams undoubtedly ensured a nervy final 15 when he made it 3-2 but ultimately the Robins prevailed and will be galvanised by a result in front of nearly 700 at Bottom Meadow.

FA Cup

The Extra Preliminary Round of the 26/27 FA Cup is almost complete after Yateley United progress in a replay at Alton on Tuesday night.

The North Hants side won 2-0 thanks to a Nathan Connolly double in the first-half means Jordan Blake’s side will travel to Fleetlands in the Preliminary Round. Meanwhile Windsor & Eton will host North Leigh after the Oxfordshire side beat Amersham Town 2-1 in a replay.

Burnham are the last side we’re keeping an eye on. They visit Slimbridge in a replay tonight (Wednesday).

The ‘as it stands’ FA Cup Preliminary Round draw is here.

Combined Counties League

An injury time goal denied Reading City at home to Penn & Tylers Green. The Combined Counties League Premier Division North leaders look set to be heading for a first defeat after Riley Denny, Henry Paxford and Ollie Harris had sent City in 3-1 at the break, but an equaliser and then Kajtek Halatyn in the 91st minute left it a point each at 3-3.

Wokingham Town and Thatcham Town also shared spoils at Lowther Road, a 2-2 draw with the Sumas goals from Aaron Peprah-Baah and Kieran Dowding while the Kingfishers came from Archie Denton and Charlie Knight.

In the South Division, Football in Berkshire watched on as Tadley Calleva stunned Knaphill with 4-0 win and a rare double from defender Brad Neal, including a looping volley that left everyone in the ground stunned.

In Division One, Langley backed up their early season credentials back at Arbour Park with a 3-1 win over Oxhey Jets and Maidenhead Town maintained a good start to their debut season with a 4-3 win at Shepherd’s Bush.

All the results from Tuesday night are here.

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