Thatcham Town Reserves 1 – 4 Bracknell Town

Bracknell Town are off and running as they opened their UHLSPORT Hellenic League Division One East campaign with victory at Thatcham Town Reserves.

Reece Jacques was the hero as he completed his hat-trick and set up a goal for substitute Tom Barratt (pictured) in what ultimately ended up being a comfortable score-line but the game had hung in the balance for a large part of the second period.

The visitors had an early chance as Sam Barratt headed Liam Alleyne’s corner wide before Alleyne couldn’t hit the target from the edge of the penalty area.

Jacques opened the scoring in the 25th minute. He was alert to beat Shawn Foster to the ball and it wriggled under goalkeeper Chris Rackley before nestling in the far corner.

Thatcham responded well and drew level three minutes later. Jason Burrowes found himself bearing down on goal and although his shot struck the left hand upright, fellow striker Lee Hamilton reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.

Off and running with a 4-1 win! Top of the league and having a laugh. #Bracknell

— bracknelltownfc (@bracknelltownfc) August 8, 2012

 

34 minutes into the match and the Robins restored the lead. Alleyne got beyond Doug Groves and his cross was headed in by Jacques.

Half Time:Thatcham Town Reserves 1 – 2 Bracknell Town

Eddie Gray (pictured) could have extended the lead shortly after the restart as he weaved past three players only for Jamie Gannon to deny him with a crucial interception.

The home side kept plugging away and put their guests onto the back foot. Firstly, Hamilton turned player manager Danny Oliphant but he was brilliantly denied by the legs of goalkeeper Dexter Burt before the same player met a drilled cross but narrowly missed the target.

Lewis Brown delivered a hanging cross in the 78th minute which Jacques met and he sent a looping header over Rackley to complete his hat-trick and give his side breathing space.

Barratt made the game safe in stoppage time. Jacques sent over a cross which Barratt controlled first time before smashing the ball into the roof of the net to add the exclamation mark on the victory.

Following relegation, it was good for the Robins to get back into winning ways and with such a good showing.

Attention now turns to Saturday when neighbours Binfield are welcomed to Larges Lane for the FA Cup with Budweiser Extra Preliminary Round and the club are hoping for a bumper crown to come along and witness the improvements carried out to the ground over the summer by our sponsor Trade Worx UK.

Full Time:Thatcham Town Reserves 1 – 4 Bracknell Town

Team: Dexter Burt, Taylor Elliott-Money, Lewis Brown, Matt James, James Roake, Danny Oliphant, Liam Alleyne, Eddie Grey, Shane Cooper-Clark, Reece Jacques, Sam Barratt.

Subs: Tom Barratt, Anthony Kallides, Wayne Carter, Jamie Musgrove, Jamie Clarke

Tagged Reece Jacques, Thatcham Town, Tom Barratt