MITCHELL Parker, rated one of the best forwards in the Hellenic League, has joined Bracknell Town – and produced an impressive performance when they drew 3-3 with Wealdstone in their opening pre-season friendly at Larges Lane on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

Parker netted 26 goals for Highmoor Ibis last season, during which he also had a short spell with Flackwell Heath.

Midfielder Kane Fitzgerald, who has rejoined the Robins from Binfield, scored Town’s first goal before Joe Grant bagged a second-half brace, including a header from Parker’s cross, only for Wealdstone to grab a late equaliser.

Among several new faces in the large Bracknell squad was wide player Ashleigh Artwell, a former England schoolboy international and Manchester United trialist.

He started with Reading Academy before going on to play for non-league clubs including Hayes & Yeading, Basingstoke, Wealdstone and Burnham.

Another newcomer was goalkeeper Mark Scott, who broke his neck when playing for Slough against Basingstoke in March of last year.

Scott played in the first half with Chris Grace taking over in the second half.

Town fielded two virtually different teams in each half against the National League South opponents, who brought down a squad of 22, including several trialists.

The Robins, who have lost TJ Bohane to Wantage, are also keen to re-sign Liam Ferdinand, who left them last season to join Thatcham.

Bracknell host Isthmian League Premier Division side Harrow Borough in a friendly at Larges Lane this Saturday (12.30pm ko).

Nathan Minhas, one of many new signings, was among the scorers when Ascot United won 4-2 at Lyne in their first pre-season game on Saturday.

Aarron Ross, James Richardson and Josh Nice were also on target against their Surrey Counties Intermediate League opponents.

Minhas, a 21-year-old striker, was the leading scorer for Maidenhead United’s highly-successful Under 23 side last season and bagged four goals for Panjab in the recent CONIFA World Cup played in the London area and at Bracknell.

Yellamen coaches Aaron Steadman and Dan Masters have brought in several other players from their former Maidenhead development squad, including Kai Walters, Jordy Brown and Fabien Etienne.

Ascot have also confirmed the signings of former Maidenhead United and Burnham defender Tom Baddeley wide player Usman Lalustani, whose previous clubs include Burnham, Flackwell Heath and Binfield, defender Chris Ellis from Camberley and Dan Price from Chertsey.

The Yellamen’s new manager, Jamie Tompkins, has also confirmed last season’s skipper Louis Bouwers has re-signed, as have goalkeeper Lee Allen, Callum Carlisle, Jonny Denton, James Richardson, Sam Boultwood, George Lock and Trevor Mutero.

Ascot have another pre-season game on Saturday (12.30pm) when they play Camberley Town on Royal Holloway University’s 3G pitch in Egham.

Binfield get their warm-up programme under way this Saturday with a visit to Aldermaston.

The Moles have yet to announce any new signings, but it is understood striker Jemel Johnson is considering rejoining them after leaving Thatcham.

In another friendly, Wokingham & Emmbrook defeated Combined Counties League Division One side Ash United 3-1 with goals from Josh Harris, Charlie Thorne and Connor Holland.