IT HAS been all change at Bracknell Town FC in the past week with a new team manager and club secretary, writes Dave Wright.

And on Tuesday there was also a change in fortunes on the field.

The Robins won 3-1 at Abingdon United, their first victory in nine league and cup games.

Leading scorer Shane Cooper-Clark scored twice and set up the other goal for Dan Money to give them their second league win in 14 games.

And that will give new manager Mark Tallentire a big boost as he prepares to take charge for the first time at Longlevens this Saturday.

Tallentire, who replaced the axed Keith Pennicott-Bowen on Monday, will be bringing in experienced players to strengthen his mainly young squad with Carl Davies expected to join from Burnham and possibly James Suarez from Binfield.

The Robins, who have also seen Dave Bell take over as secretary from Darrell Freeland, remain second from bottom of the table, but have games in hand over all the sides above them.

Bracknell remain second bottom, six points ahead of local rivals Wokingham & Emmbrook, who suffered their 16th defeat in 18 games when losing 3-1 to league leaders Flackwell Heath on Tuesday.

However, the Sumas put up a very spirited performance and may well have given caused an upset had they had shown more decisiveness and confidence in front of goal.

“We gave them a real run for their money,” said Dan Bateman, who along with fellow joint-manager Matt Eggleston was given a vote of confidence by the club’s committee 24 hours earlier.

“They are top of the league and we are at the bottom, but you wouldn’t think there was a whole league between the two of us.

“The main difference was that they were a bit more clinical in front of goal and we made a couple of mistakes.

“I was disappointed with the second goal as I felt there was a foul in the build-up and their third goal only came because we were pushing forward trying to get a second for ourselves.”

Bateman has brought Sam Whiting (from Fleet) and Josh Pearson (from Binfield) back to the club and Pearson marked the occasion by scoring direct from a corner.

His goal made it 2-1 in the 63rd minute after the Heathens had scored through Dan Rapley on 36 minutes and Jon Bennett just before half-time.

“At this stage I really did think we could get back in the game with an equaliser,” said Bateman.

The Heathens had Michael Woodward sent off for foul and abusive language after 72 minutes and Wokingham’s Jordan Rowland was red carded for a similar offence before substitute James Harding netted the third goal in the first minute of stoppage time.

Bateman added: “The way they (Flackwell) celebrated at the end of the game was a compliment to our lads, as they knew they had been in a game tonight.”

He said that Whiting and Pearson had added “a bit of quality” to the squad and is hoping to make one or two more signings this week.

The Sumas visit unbeaten Combined Counties League side Hartley Wintney in the first round proper of the FA Vase this Saturday.

Ascot United moved up to third place in the Hellenic League behind Flackwell and Thatcham (7-2 winners over Brackley Saints on Tuesday) following their 2-1 midweek win over visitors Kidlington.

The Yellamen trailed at half-time but goals from David Pitt and Bradley Fraser saw them inflict the Oxon’s side second league defeat in 15 games.

Ascot are home to Tuffley Rovers at the Racecourse this Saturday.