BRACKNELL Town crashed out of a cup competition to a side from a lower division for the second time in less than a week when losing 1-0 at Henley of the Reading Senior Cup on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

The only goal of the quarter-final tie came from Richard Bennett in the second minute of stoppage time.

Henley will now take on Thames Valley League Division One champions Westwood United at Scours Lane on Wednesday, May 11.

The winners will meet either Highmoor Ibis or Binfield, who play at Scours Lane this Saturday, in the final at Madejski Stadium.

For Bracknell, it was their second heartbreak in a week, as the previous Monday they had lost 2-1 in extra time to Didcot Reserves in the Hellenic League Supplementary Cup semi-finals.

Didcot finished third from bottom of the Hellenic Division One East, while Henley were third from top and have aspirations of promotion to the Premier Division.

The Robins enjoyed much the better of the game, but were poor in the final third, squandering numerous scoring chances.

Henley’s hard-working defence also deserve a lot of credit with usual defender Andrew Nunn proving an able stand-in keeper.

The game, particularly the first half, became a feisty affair at times with referee Adam Bayliss showing yellow cards and lecturing players. He also stopped the game to issue a warning to Henley manager Craig Sumner.

Bracknell could easily have gone ahead just before the interval with Johnnie Dyer shooting wide from a chance set up by Kennie Chamberlain.

Jamie McClurg and Adam Cornell were both unsuccessful with their attempts to break the deadlock.

The visitors were almost caught out by a swift counter-attack from the Red Kites in the 66th minute, but keeper Karl Steinborn-Busse, making his first start of the season, did well to block Bennett’s shot in a one-on-one situation.

Soon afterwards, Dan Money headed wide from a chance created by Kensley Maloney (pictured) and Dyer, while Cornell was not far off target with his effort from 25 yards.

With Bracknell clearly having an off day in attack, Henley grew in confidence and started to believe they could win the game.

And they did in the second minute of stoppage time. Grant Kemp won possession and, with support from Asa Povey, the move was finished off by Bennett despite the best efforts of Carl Davies.

There was still time for Steinborn-Busse to stop substitute Liam Tindall from scoring a second goal.

l FINCHAMPSTEAD FC ended their Hellenic League Division One campaign with a 1-1 draw at Chalfont Wasps on Tuesday of last week.

Fred Tripp had put the home side in front midway through the first half before Harry Swabey equalised five minutes before the interval.

Finchampstead end the season in eighth position.

l SANDHURST Town secured a straight-forward 2-0 victory at home to Epsom Athletic in their Combined Counties League Division One encounter on Saturday.

The 12th-placed Fizzers travel to Bedfont & Feltham this coming Saturday (3pm).