Rovers gain expected victory at bottom of the table Bracknell Town

Match report from Andy Harris

Rovers completed the expected victory at bottom of the table, Bracknell Town, but the margin of victory, could and should, have been greater. However the home side deserve great credit for persevering despite going in at half time 3-0 down. As manager, Andy Jones, made three late substitutions, Bracknell enjoyed their best period of the game and were unlucky not to earn a consolation goal.

On a very wet and heavy pitch passing was difficult and although totally dominating the opening period Rovers failed to create a chance worthy of the name until the 11th minute when Joe White crossed from the left and a defensive clearing header dropped nicely to Rob Cousins, some 25 yards out. He took aim and fired the ball home past the right hand of diving keeper, Dan Smith to give the visitors a deserved lead.

It was all Rovers at this stage and on two occasions Town defenders were forced to concede corners under severe pressure while recent signing, John Lock, tested Smith with a header from a free kick.

Rovers doubled their advantage on 27 minutes with a fine move down the left. Charlie Rich made progress before releasing White who got to the by line, before squaring the ball to Rob Claridge, who will rarely have had an easier tap in.

White forced Smith to make a good save and Claridge completely missed his kick when set up by Dan Cleverley, before on 41 minutes the home side finally mounted a threat as new signing, Jemel Forde-Small, shot just wide.

Rather than inspire the home side it served only to wake up the visitors and after Claridge had a header saved from a White cross Rovers effectively killed the game just before half time.

The pace of White and Ben Lacey caused the home defence problems all evening and a ball over the full back sent White away, this time down the right. He cut inside and fired in a fierce left foot shot which Smith could only push into the path of Cousins who fired home to score a rare double!

With the advantage of the slope after the break Town started well but Rovers went close on 48 minutes as Dan Cleverley volleyed jut wide from an Alex Ball cross then Lacey beat his marker before firing a shot across Smith which went just wide of the far post. Claridge then forced the busy Smith to make a good save, Lacey gave him an easier task and White failed to trouble the keeper.

The home side had two good chances in the closing stages, both from free kicks on the edge of the Rovers penalty area, but first Chris Dean and then Forde-Small fired over the bar.

Rovers will need to sharpen their game ahead of a busy weekend which sees first, Bishops Cleeve (Saturday 3 pm)and then Bridgwater Town (Monday 7.30 pm), visit Winterfield Road, but the points were secured, no injuries were picked up and Rovers had the luxury of bringing off three key players to rest them ahead of these key games.

Team: Phillips. Ball (Collier 65 mins), Rich, Lock, Price, Cousins, Jeffries, White, Claridge (58 mins), Cleverley (C), Lacey (Burborough 70 mins).
Subs not used: Milsom, Burchill.

Star Man: Rob Cousins (Rovers)

Referee: John Busby
Assts: Jim Paterson / Steve Hawkes

Attendance: 75

Bracknell's website is at:-  http://www.bracknelltownfc.com/