BRACKNELL Town manager Mark Tallentire has signed a new centre back as his team prepare to face two in-form strikers in Thatcham hotshot Shane Cooper-Clark and Ascot’s Charlie Samuels over the Bank Holiday weekend, writes Dave Wright.

Alex Rodrigues has switched from Hellenic League rivals Thatcham, having made his debut for the Kingfishers when they lost 3-2 to Bracknell in the FA Cup earlier this month.

The former Ascot United star is set to make his first appearance for the Robins in their Premier League clash on Saturday at Thatcham. And his second could be at Ascot on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.

Tallentire is looking to strengthen his defence which has conceded seven goals in their last three games.

“We have showed a vulnerability in certain areas and that needs addressing,” said Tallentire following their 3-3 draw at Thame United on Tuesday.

“I am delighted to have Alex on board as he is an experienced player. I tried to sign him during the close season, but he chose to go to Thatcham instead.

“But things haven’t quite worked out for him there and he has spent some time on the bench.”

Rodrigues played for Bracknell Reserves on Tuesday when they came from behind to win 3-2 at Godalming in the Suburban League.

At the same time, Tallentire’s side were sharing six goals with unbeaten Thame at the ASM Stadium.

Despite having defender John Gray sent off for a foul in the first half, the Robins went 3-1 up through Adam Cornell (two) and Joe Grant, only to see Andy Gledhill score twice in the 56th and 73rd minute to earn his side a draw.

“It was disappointing to lose a 3-1 lead, but as we had 10 men I was happy to in the end get the point. Our work rate was exceptional,” said Tallentire, whose side had lost 2-1 at Egham on Saturday in the FA Cup.

The Bracknell manager is now looking ahead to facing a Thatcham side that battered crisis club Burnham 11-0 on Tuesday.

Ex-Robins ace Cooper-Clark netted four goals, including a 20-minute first-half hat-trick, and has now scored eight goals for the season.

Not far behind him with six comes Ascot’s Samuels.

Due to his late arrival at the ground after being delayed by traffic, Samuels had a seat on the bench until the start of the second half against Binfield on Tuesday and within 90 seconds had made it 2-2, with the improving Yellamen going on to win 3-2.

Binfield, having made it four wins out of four when defeating Royal Wootton Bassett 1-0 on Saturday, twice led through new signing Sean Moore (nine minutes) and Liam Ferdinand (44 mins), with James Brazier replying on 23 minutes.

The Moles enjoyed the better of the opening 20 minutes, but a “rollicking” from United manager Jeff Lamb at half-time and Samuels coming off the bench turned the game in the second half with Ben Knight grabbing the winner 15 minutes from time.

The early-season form of Samuels has alerted other clubs, including his former side Molesey, and Ascot could struggle to hold on to him.

United manager Jeff Lamb has signed centre back Wes Harrison, previously with Godalming, and revealed he is also talking to two other possible signings. Harrison was an unused substitute on Tuesday.

It has been a good week for the Yellamen, as they followed up their 3-2 success at Highworth last Wednesday with a 4-3 win over Didcot Town in the FA Cup on Saturday thanks to goals from Samuels (two), Louie Gilpin and Samir Regragui.

Their reward is a home first qualifying round tie with Tonbridge Angels on Sunday week, September 4.

Binfield manager Roger Herridge was left disappointed by his side’s defeat at Ascot, saying: “I felt we deserved a point but I am not sure we really deserved it due to the way we gave away three goals.

“The three we conceded were avoidable and we pressed the self-destruct button. There are things we certainly need to work on and a few decisions to make about certain players.”

Binfield, who stay top of the table, will be looking to return to winning ways when they entertain Tuffley Rovers on Saturday and then visit Burnham on Monday afternoon.

Wokingham & Emmbrook, 3-1 winners at Chinnor last weekend, have away Division 1 East fixtures at Sandhurst on Saturday and Holyport on Monday.