BRACKNELL Town manager Mark Tallentire praised his players for showing “fantastic character” following their second incredible recovery on successive Saturdays, writes Dave Wright.

A week after turning a 2-0 half-time deficit into a 5-2 win over table-topping Thatcham, the Robins came from 3-0 down to beat Shrivenham 4-3 in the Bluefin Sport Hellenic League Cup.

All their four goals came from Seb Bowerman, who had started the game on the substitutes’ sub’ s bench, with Tallentire taking the opportunity to rest a few of his players against their Division One West opponents.

The Robins, riding high in the Premier Division, looked to be sliding on the proverbial banana skin peel as they wet found themselves three goals down inside the opening half-hour of this second-round tie.

But then came the move that was to change the game, which had seen Bracknell concede ground advantage after being originally drawn at home.

Tallentire explained: “I started with Khalid Senussi in place of Seb. Khalid was involved in a slight car accident on Friday night. He said he was okay to start, but I was a bit dubious about starting him.

“But you could see he wasn’t quite at the races and after about 25 minutes I replaced him with Seb. We needed the individuality that he brings to the team and he certainly came up with goods.

“Once he had got the first goal I always felt we were going to win the game, providing we didn’t concede a fourth goal.”

With the villagers struggling to cope with Bracknell’s pace and strength, the Robins were awarded three penalties — all converted — before Bowerman struck a 74th minute winner.

“In the end, we came away with a win that puts us in the next round and another cup tie to look forward to,” added Tallentire following his side’s second recovery in seven days.

“Once again we’ve shown fantastic character and amazing qualities to dig deep and get ourselves back off the canvas and go on to win games.

“But we can’t continue in this form; we have got to start shutting teams out again. If we have many more games like this, I am going to get some grey hairs.”

Bracknell, who were due to visit Ardley United last night (Tuesday) are away to bottom-club Burnham on Saturday (3pm) and then next Tuesday take on neighbours Binfield in what is due to be their first game on the new 3G pitch at Larges Lane (3pm).

Work at the ground has continued this week with the installation of seats in the stand and the completion of the changing rooms.

The Hellenic League hierarchy, however, will need to make an inspection before giving Bracknell the green light to play there and launch a new chapter in the club’s long history.

“They are coming to grade the ground later this week,” added Tallentire.