BRACKNELL Town are through to the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy final after beating holders Flackwell Heath 2-1 in a stormy and controversial semi-final at Wilks Park on Tuesday, writes Dave Wright.

Each side had a player sent off and four others cautioned on a night when the young match officials struggled to maintain control.

Robins boss Mark Tallentire summed up the general feeling when he commented: “You shouldn’t have kids in charge of a game like this.

“They looked out of their depth.”

His side got off to a great start with Adam Cornell heading home TJ Bohane’s cross to open the scoring with five minutes gone.

But after 12 minutes Bohane looked to be kicked by Mitchell Woodward with Heathens skipper Ben Sturgess rushing in to get involved as the forward lay on the ground.

But Woodward escaped punishment and it was Sturgess, who was ordered off by ref Cameron Elliot.

Sadly, that melee set the tone for the rest of the game.

As Tallentire said: “There were a few things that went on that were very unsavoury, but hats off to my players for keeping their composure.”

Flackwell’s 10 men drew level through Dan Bayliss in the 17th minute, only for Joe Grant, with his back to goal, flick home what proved to be the winner just before the half-hour mark.

The second half was largely a niggly affair with the number of bookings piling up and that led to Carl Withers being dismissed in the 69th minute for a second bookable offence although the last seemed very harsh.

Bracknell’s frustrations with the match officials led to assistant manager Steve Nebbett being ordered out of the dug out.

Robins will meet Newport Pagnell or Binfield in the final.

Town, who trail Hellenic leaders Flackwell by one point with three games in hand, entertain Tuffley Rovers at Larges Lane on Saturday.

They will be hoping Binfield can do them a favour by winning at third-placed Thame United.

Ascot United, having appointed Neil Richards as manager and Jamie Tompkins as head coach following the departure of Jeff Lamb, Paul McGrotty and Derek Sweetman, are without a game.

Wokingham & Emmbrook, whose home fixture with Didcot Town Reserves was postponed last week due to a waterlogged pitch, also have the weekend off.