BRACKNELL Town were unable to repeat their goal glut of Thursday when drawing a blank in a 1-0 Hellenic League Premier Division defeat at home to Longlevens on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.
They were not short of scoring chances, but it just wasn’t their day.
And they were also up against a very confident keeper in Mark Harris, who pulled off several excellent saves.
Robins enjoyed more possession in the first half, although they had a couple of anxious moments with Longlevens sending two shots just wide of the post.
Bracknell’s efforts to get into a rhythm were not helped by having to make three changes in the first 40 minutes, all due to hamstring injuries.
Declan Kirby was forced off after 23 minutes and replaced by Kennie Chamberlain (pictured right). And eight minutes later fellow midfielder George Short limped off with Ben Poynter taking his place.
Then on 40 minutes a limping Seb Bowerman, who earlier had been thwarted by Harris, also had to make a premature departure, and his place went to Johnnie Dyer.?
Robins came under pressure at the start of the second half with Brad Martin missing an open goal and then being denied by a block from Carl Davies after he had rounded keeper Garry Aulsberry.
Soon afterwards, it needed a goal-line clearance by George Lock to prevent the Gloucestershire visitors taking the lead, while, at the other end, Dyer was denied by another excellent save by Harris.
The keeper also kept out efforts from Adam Cornell and Kensley Maloney.
The only goal of the match came on 70 minutes when, from a free-kick on the right, Craig Martin and Ryan Dunn created the opening for Bradley Vanstone to turn the ball low past Aulsberry.
Bracknell, who were due to host Thatcham last night, entertain Royal Wootton Bassett tomorrow (7.45pm), followed by their final home league game against Milton on Saturday (3pm).
They then travel to either Didcot Town or Holyport away in the Supplementary Cup on Monday (ko 7.45pm), before Robins visit Henley for a Reading Senior Cup quarter-final tie on Wednesday (7.45pm).
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