Published: Thursday, 14th August, 2008 16:00
Robins set for big kick-off
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Robins boss Byron Walton leads his side into their opening game of the league season this Saturday.
BRACKNELL Town head into their opening fixture of their Southern League campaign this weekend in the midst of a goalkeeping crisis.
The Robins had expected summer acquisition Chris Goodchild to be between the sticks for Saturday’s season opener in Division One South and West against Bridgwater Town.
But manager Byron Walton has been left unimpressed by the former QPR player’s attitude since arriving at Larges Lane and his future at the club is now up in the air.
The Bracknell boss said: “Chris keeps making excuses for not coming to training and no matter what level you play at, you have to train.
“If you’re not coming to training then you’re not much good to anybody.
“He hasn’t been released but he’s been told that if he wants to play here then he has to come all the time.
“Also he will have to start in the reserves because when he has played he’s played badly – three of the four goals against Maidenhead were his fault. We will see what happens, the ball is in his court.”
It is not ideal preparation for the Robins going into the league campaign and they were rocked further when a trialist who was playing in goal for them in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Milton United suffered a broken hand.
That means reserve team keeper Kane Roberts should start at Bridgwater this weekend but Walton insists he has full confidence in the former Kidlington stopper.
He said: “At the moment Kane will start and I have no problem with that.
“He came down during the summer trying to earn himself a place in the first team and he’s done very little wrong. Now he has a chance to prove himself.”
The Robins go into Saturday’s game boosted by a couple of new signings with Ryan Mackintosh and Luke Dexter arriving at the Lane.
Mackintosh is a pacy left winger who started his career at Chelsea before moving to Yeading where he played with fellow Robins Errol Telemaque and Keith Newbie.
Dexter is a right back who caught Walton’s eye during last Tuesday’s friendly with Maidenhead United when he starred in the Magpies 4-0 win at Bracknell.
The Robins boss said: “Both are very good players and I think they will play a big part in the season.
“I didn’t know about Luke until last week but he played very well against us and we’ve managed to get him on a season-long loan.”
Bracknell have been boosted ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Bridgwater by the news that Ben Edwards, Jamie Clarke and Gilbert Nuako should all shake off injuries to line up in the starting XI.
Walton admits that his side could have had an easier start to the season.
He said: “It won’t be easy for us. I think they will have a realistic chance of at least making the play-offs again.
“They’re a really good team so we will see how we get on. Obviously it’s a difficult game but we’re looking forward to it.
“We’re in much better shape now than a few weeks ago. We’ve been getting better with every game.
“Everyone is pretty much match fit now which is something we have been struggling with and there’s a good chance everybody will be available for Saturday.”
Following Saturday’s home clash with Bridgwater, Bracknell travel to local rivals Burnham on Tuesday night where they will come up against former coach Steve Hale.
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