BRACKNELL Town manager Mark Tallentire was always confident his side would beat Binfield in their FA Vase clash even though they were trailing with less than 15 minutes remaining, writes Dave Wright.

He made a shrewd substitution that led to the Robins clinching a 2-1 win in front of a crowd of more than 350 at Hill Farm Lane last Friday.

With TJ Bohane having earlier missed a penalty, Joe Grant netted the equaliser just minutes coming off the bench, and shortly afterwards George Short grabbed the winner in this second qualifying round tie.

Bracknell have been drawn away to Croydon, who currently lie fourth in the Southern Counties East League, in the first round proper on October 22.

They were pushed all the way by the Moles, but Tallentire had no doubt his side would prevail in the end.

“I was never really worried as I knew we had goals in the team,” he said. “We have good players who can create and score goals.

“We thoroughly deserved to win – I think everyone watching the game would agree.

“I thought we were pretty slick. In the first half we played really well. Yes, we did concede a goal, but that was our fault as we didn’t press the ball and shut the guy down. But it was still a good finish by Broomey (Jack Broome).”

Tallentire added: “We told the players at half time to just keep doing what we are doing and believe in what we are about.

“In the second half we played at a little bit higher tempo.

“TJ missed a penalty, but we could still have got another goal or two. We need to get a little more ruthless when we are on top.

“It was a tough game. Binfield are a really hard working side, but at times I thought we made them look pretty ordinary, which was I was quite pleased with.

“We are all pleased, but we won’t get too carried away.

“We are unbeaten in eight games now with six of them victories, and we are beginning to show the potential we’ve got.”

Binfield manager Roger Herridge admitted that Bracknell deserved their victory After the game he told the News: “We played a good side tonight who are on top of their game and they were better than us.

“They controlled an awful lot of the game.

“But 15 minutes from time we were 1-0 up, they missed a penalty and we led a little bit of a charmed life there – and you start to think it might just be our night.

“Then we concede two goals in quick succession and it’s game over.”

He continued: “We may have given them too much respect or didn’t have the belief we could win, I don’t know. Yes, we are disappointed but we will learn from it.

“Bracknell had that extra bit of experience. They are a good side and over 90 minutes deserved to win.

“But we live to fight another day and there is a lot of football in front of us.”

Binfield were also knocked off the top of the Hellenic League at the weekend with Thatcham – 3-0 winners at Ascot United – and Flackwell Heath, who defeated Brimscombe & Thrupp by the same margin, both moving above them.