Bracknell Town 1 – 1 Bashley (Southern League Division 1 South & West)

Bracknell Town manager Alan Taylor praised his side’s character as they came from a goal down to claim a point against the runaway league leaders – only the seventh time Bashley have failed to claim all three points.

The opening spell belonged to the visitors as Paul Gazzard released Ryan Moss who rattled the crossbar from a tight angle in the third minute. Moments later, his strike partner Richard Gillespie fired over as the duo looked to add to their tally of 45 goals this season.

Shaun Hale then saw his close range effort deflected wide by James Joyce, and from the resulting corner Pete Castle’s free header flashed over Paul McCarthy’s goal.

Moss had a goal rightly ruled out for offside in the 17th minute which seemed to spur the hosts on. Having survived the early onslaught, the Robins’ had a decent spell of possession and Garry Sargeant nearly gave his side the lead in the 26th minute after good work from Jamie McClurg and Mark Anderson, but David Elm was able to smother the shot.

With Bracknell looking comfortable as the break approached, calamitous defending enabled the visitors to take the lead through Dave Wakefield in the 40th minute. Taylor’s side failed to clear the danger properly no less than three times and Wakefield was on hand to stab the ball home from close range.

Half Time: Bracknell Town 0 – 1 Bashley

Gillespie forced a great save from McCarthy and Matt Parnell headed over straight from the restart as Bashley looked to put the game beyond Bracknell.

The hosts improved greatly with Gary Clifford and Ben Woozley both going close before Clifford equalized in the 61st minute to open his Bracknell account. A free-kick was awarded just outside the penalty area after a handball and Clifford’s curling effort took a wicked deflection leaving Elm with no chance of making the save.

Another Clifford free-kick was met by Anderson whose flicked header was claimed by Elm, whilst Gillespie’s misery continued in front of goal as he fired part McCarthy and the far post when well placed.

The Bash’ were reduced to ten men in the 79th minute as Moss saw red for a flailing elbow and with time running out, Clifford saw two further efforts saved as the Robins’ tried to make the numerical advantage count.

Craig Davis should have won it for the visitors in injury time but he blazed over the crossbar when through on goal as Bracknell held on for a battling point.

One highlight for Bracknell was the man of the match performance from young defender Michael Buck who continues to improve with every game, and Taylor can also take heart that his side showed great resolve and didn’t buckle in the periods of sustained pressure.

Full Time: Bracknell Town 1 – 1 Bashley

Bracknell Town: McCarthy, Hayward, Joyce, Buck, Oldham (Baker 34), Woozley, McClurg, Sargeant (Lewis 59), Anderson (Mepham 72), Clifford, Edwards. Subs not used: Drage.

Taken from www.robins.org.uk