JOE Grant netted a hat-trick as Bracknell Town hammered Henley 5-0 on Tuesday to move up to fourth place in the Uhlsport Hellenic League, writes Dave Wright.

It completed a great week for the forward, as he played a major role last Saturday when he came on as substitute with his side two goals down and inspired them to a 5-2 win over the league leaders Thatcham.

“Joe’s taken his chance again,” said manager Mark Tallentire. “Last Saturday he changed the game and I told him to pick up where he left off – which he did.

“He has fantastic energy. He’s a good player when he’s in that sort of mood. I am pleased for him; it was a good hat-trick.”

Khalid Senussi and Adam Cornell were also on target on a night when the Robins were missing TJ Bohane through injury, while Seb Bowerman started on the bench.

Bracknell always carried too much fire power for second-bottom Henley and they should have won by a wider margin.

Tallentire was satisfied, saying: “It another good night’s work and we are pleased with the way it went. We didn’t really look in trouble apart from when we knocked a couple of ropey back passes. Those apart, I can’t remember them (Henley) creating too much; we sort of shut them out.”

Having scored five second-half goals against Thatcham, Bracknell tore into the home defence from the start and needed just six minutes to take the lead through Grant from a chance set up by Senussi.

But shortly afterwards a misplaced pass in defence left Michael Davies in the clear, but the Red Kites forward shot wide.

It proved costly for the hosts as Grant made it 2-0 on 11 minutes. His first effort was pushed out, but he made no mistake the second time, finding the net with an audacious overhead kick.

“They were two good goals, Joe showed great improvisation for the second,” stated Tallentire.

Robins remained in charge, but it wasn’t until the 70th minute when Senussi punished a defensive mistake to beat keeper Matt Hill.

Cornell made it 4-0 after 82 minutes and four minutes later sub Bowerman set up Grant’s third goal, giving Robins their second five-goal haul in successive games.

With 35 points from 16 games, Robins stay in hot pursuit of long-time leaders Thatcham, with 41 points from 21 matches, followed by Thame United (37 from 16) and Flackwell Heath (36-18).

A year ago Tallentire’s focus was on keeping Bracknell out of the relegation zone, but now he has turned them into a side capable of challenging for honours.

Next up for the Robins is a trip to Division 1 West side Shrivenham in the Bluefin Sport Hellenic Cup on Saturday (3pm). Bohane, nursing a swollen foot, is unlikely to play, but should return for next Tuesday’s trip to Ardley United (7.45pm).

Tallentire’s old club, Binfield, can do Bracknell a favour by winning at Flackwell Heath on Saturday (3pm), though several of their players suffered injuries in their 4-0 defeat at Highworth last weekend.

Manager Roger Herridge said: “It’s a struggle for us at the moment, but if we all stick together and work harder then I am sure we can turn things around.” Moles also host Thame at Hill Farm Lane on Monday (7.45pm ko).

Ascot United lost 3-1 at home on Saturday to Brackley Town Saints. With their midweek fixture at Oxford City Nomads postponed due to waterlogged pitch, Yellamen now face Longlevens at the Racecourse this Saturday (3pm).

Wokingham & Emmbrook, who gave a good account of themselves despite losing 4-2 at unbeaten Hellenic Division 1 East leaders Penn & Tyler last weekend, head to Alfredian Park to face a Wantage Town Reserves side still looking for their first point of the season.