Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South

Monday 10th April 2023

Bracknell Town 3 Beaconsfield Town 1

SB Stadium  - Attendance 403

Ram of the match - Luke Neville

After the disappointing result on Good Friday Beaconsfield Town delivered a much improved performance at the SB Stadium on Monday. Ultimately the result was much the same. The Rams gave very good account of themselves and were fully in the game for an hour but as the afternoon wore on there was an increasing air of inevitability about the ultimate conclusion. 

Bracknell are a good team, the fixture congestion they are now negotiating bare witness to the season they have put together. They are fit, well drilled and have a way of playing that they are all on board with. Going forward they have strong, physical and skilful targets Like Jordan Espirit and Darryl Sanders. They get the ball forward quickly, into good areas and keep the pressure on, fighting for everything and seeking to force mistakes. They are equally well drilled at the back and make good decisions and very few mistakes. 

The Rams matched them in most departments in the early stages here and created the early half chances. Nathan Minhas making space for half chances  which suggested he may be in for a good afternoon, without troubling Michael Eacott in The Robin’s goal.

At the other end Cairo Richards showing no early ill effects from his difficult debut saved well to deny Magnus Suen Jr Abisogun with a smoothering block. Before plunging to save from Jordan Espirit.

This turned out to be a sighter for the striker whose next effort on 14 minutes bobbled over the dive of Richards and trundled into the corner. 

The Rams continued to compete well without creating too many alarms but were able to create some pressure which seemed to have born fruit when Kai Allsopp reacted quickly to beat the advancing Eacott to a through ball. As the keeper advanced from his area Allsopp headed it over the stranded keeper who continued his ill-timed advance straight into the young Ram.

Referee Stephen Hawkes didn’t even see a foul never mind anything stronger for the keeper who, judging by his reaction, was well aware that he had got away with one.

The Rams were well in it though and when Lewis Pegg guided Sam Granville’s goal-bound effort in from 7 yards it was no more than their first-half showing deserved with Pegg, Luke Neville, Sam Granville, and Dan Bradshaw particularly prominent.

Half Time 1-1

 

The second period began in a similar competitive style but The home side began to turn the screw early, pinning the Rams back. The visitors continued to stand up well though until the 56th minute when Magnus Suen Jr Abisogun was allowed to advance 40 yards through a succession of ineffectual attempted tackles and place his shot past the advancing Richards.

The Rams still carried a threat on the break but too often a lack of composure, a poor decision or a simple lack of understanding combined to see Bracknell deal easily without surrendering anything by way of a chance.

As the game progressed the only real questionn was how many Bracknell would get. Whilst technically Beaconsfield were in the game whilst it remained 2-1. All but the most ardent Rams fan were in little doubt about where the points were going to end up.

Richards saved well, turning substitute Mikel Platts header onto the bar then reacting brilliantly to deny Magnus Suen Jr Abisogun who struck the resulting rebound from close range.

The Rams held on until the 88th minute, when Dan Bayliss climbed unchallenged to head down a far post corner. It seemed to strike Callum Webbs out stretched arm on its path to goal carrying it away from Richards who dived full legth to turn the ball away at the foot of the post but the rebound fell perfectly for Platt who made no mistake from a yard out.

The Rams now return to Holloways Park for their final home outing of the season when they entertain North Leigh, who currently sit bottom 6 points adrift of safety with 3 games to play. 

 

Beaconsfield Town :

Cairo Richards, Charlie Smith, Callum Webb, Sam Togwell©, Luke Neville, Lewis Pegg [Sub Manny Williams 63], Sam Granville, Dan Bradshaw, Nathan Minhas, Antoine Makoli [Sub Lucas Sinclair 74]Kai Allsopp, [Sub Toby Little 85]

Subs Not Used -  Ben Peters, Oscar Lucey

Bracknell Town :

Michael Eacott, Elliott Legg [SubJack Dean 75] Ethan Burden, Sean Fraser, Daniel Bayliss ©,Ashley Lodge, Magnus Suen Jr Abisogun, George Knight, Jordan Espirit [Sub Mickel Platt 71], Darryl Sanders [Sub Max Herbert 73] Joeseph Grant

Subs Not Used - Olukayode Osu

Referee -   Stephen Hawkes

Assistants  - Gifford Manyange - Scott Hamilton       

 

All images ©Neale Blackburn 2023

Full game images - Here