Manager Mark Tallentire is aiming to bring a happy new year to Bracknell Town, writes Dave Wright.

His side defeated Oxford City Nomads 2-1 at Larges Lane on Tuesday as they followed up their 6-0 hammering of Frilsham & Yattendon in the Reading Senior Cup last Saturday.

The Robins remain second from bottom of the Hellenic Premier Division but are now just four points behind the three sides above them with matches in hand.

“This win hooks those teams above us a little bit closer and we are in touching distance,” said Tallentire.

“We have five home matches in December, which you rarely have in the same month, and we have already won the first two.

"The confidence gained from this win and last Saturday’s performance will bring the team on leaps and bounds.

“We all know we still have a massive job to do to get us out the mire we are at the moment, but we have got the players to do it.

“I have brought lads in and put together a team who I know will do a job for me.”

They certainly did that on Tuesday night as the Robins recorded only their third win in 18 league matches.

The scoreline failed to reflect their dominance in the opening 45 minutes which saw them squander several gilt-edged chances, while Callum Whitty had a header cleared off the line.

“In the first half we showed some real good quality against a good young side and it would not have been embarrassing if we had been 4-0 up at half time. We really slaughtered them,” said Tallentire.

The only chance they took came in the 17th minute when Johnie Dyer made amends for an earlier glaring miss by scoring at the second attempt.

The Robins suffered a double blow when two players went down injured, one in each half, at the same time just before the interval.

Dave Fenton limped off with a hamstring problem, while Adam Cornell suffered concussion. They were replaced by Mike Watson and Kennie Chamberlain respectively.

Robins nearly increased their lead just before the break with James Suarez seeing his shot superbly saved at point-blank range by keeper Chris Lawrence and then his follow up was blocked.

But home fans did not have to wait long for the second goal as it came a minute into the second half. Jamie McClurg found space for himself down the left flank and had time to pick his spot.

Not too many further chances came Bracknell’s way but they defended well and it was not until five minutes from time when they conceded a goal to Jordi Mulvaney.

Tallentire added: “I am extremely proud of every player. They all worked their socks off. “

He will be looking for three more points against 15th-placed Tuffley Rovers at home this Saturday and again when fellow strugglers Abingdon United visit Larges Lane the following week.

Recent signing Seb Bowerman is set to make his debut this week.

With Bracknell winning, Wokingham & Emmbrook are now five points adrift at the foot of the table following their 6-0 hiding at Ascot United on Tuesday.

Gurkan Gokmen, Alex Rodrigues, Jesse Wilson, David Pitt, Tom McGarry and Bradley Fraser netted for the Yellamen, who led 1-0 at half-time.

The win, which lifted United to second place in the table behind Flackwell Heath, will give them a massive boost as they prepare for their FA Vase third-round tie against Combined Counties League high fliers Camberley at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday (3pm).

Binfield bounced back from their 4-1 home defeat by Highworth last weekend by winning 3-2 at Abingdon United on Tuesday.

The Moles trailed 1-0 and 2-1 with Josh Howell (10 mins) and new signing Tyler D’Cruz (82 mins) bringing the scores level before Michael Walton snatched the winner deep into stoppage time.

Binfield are home to Thatcham on Saturday (3pm), with the sides lying sixth and fourth respectively in the Hellenic League table.