TERENCE ‘TJ’ Bohane completed a spirited recovery by Bracknell Town as they overcame the shock of conceding an early goal to beat Ardley United 2-1 at Larges Lane on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

The winner took his season’s tally to 35 from 34 appearances, having netted his very first goal with former club Royal Wootton Bassett.

Only Thame’s Lyndon Goss, with 42, has netted more times in the Hellenic League.

Bohane has also overtaken 33-goal Adam Cornell as Bracknell’s top scorer.

Cornell wasn’t available on Saturday, while winger Seb Bowerman was on holiday and Joe Grant was out injured.

Khalid Senussi and Kensley Maloney were left to work alongside Bohane (pictured), but with the midfielders struggling to provide their usual quality service, Town’s attack failed to seriously test Ardley’s defence in the first half.

“We were not quite at the races, there wasn’t the usual flow to our play,” said manager Mark Tallentire.

A crowd of 268 saw Town fall behind after just six minutes when the defence left Nat Lewars unmarked in front of goal as Jack Ross played the ball in and keeper Chris Grace was given no chance.

It would have got worse for the Robins had recent signing Diak John not managed to block Matt Cruse’s goal-bound shot on the line. Bracknell, often second to the ball, were being pressurised by Ardley, who in turn were also looking more comfortable when in possession.

Town’s best efforts to get on level terms before half-time came from Jamie McClurg, on two occasions, and Maloney.

However, a “constructive chat” during the interval sparked the Robins to life in the second half.

In the 52nd minute, they drew level through Gavin Smith following good work by McClurg and Maloney.

Maloney, along with Senussi, then created the chance for Bohane to push the ball home from close range in the 63rd minute.

It was Town’s best spell of the match and they looked more likely to score a third than Ardley did of equalising although the visitors never gave up.

Skipper Carl Davies, fresh from his honeymoon, had an excellent game in defence and he and Maloney were the pick of the team.

“I was proud of the way we reacted in the second half,” said Tallentire. “Sometimes you have got to ground results out, and we did that today. I cannot remember them having too many chances in the second half as we sort of snuffed them out.”

Bracknell continue to lead Thame, who were 2-0 winners over Longlevens last weekend, by one point with six games remaining, but, on paper at least, they have much the tougher run-in to the end of the season.

This Saturday they take on fifth-placed Brimscombe & Thrupp at Larges Lane.

Then next Tuesday (7.45pm ko) they host Thames Valley Premier League side Mortimer in the quarter-finals of the Reading Senior Cup, a competition they look favourites to win.