ADAM Cornell climbed out of his sick bed to help breathe fresh air back in Bracknell Town’s Hellenic League title hopes, writes Dave Wright.

The in-form striker netted a hat-trick as the Robins defeated Longlevens 4-1 in front of another 200-plus crowd at Larges Lane on Saturday.

He was doubtful for the game having been confined to his bed last week.

“I was laid up with the flu for a couple of days,” he told the News.

“I was feeling really rough, I couldn’t go to work or even train on Thursday. It’s not been a great week, but to end it like this is pretty good.”

Town had suffered a bad dose of the jitters on Tuesday last week when they crashed to a shock 4-1 defeat at Ardley United, which means they must win both of their remaining games while hoping title rivals Thame slip up in one of the two games they have left.

Bracknell visit Brimscombe & Thrupp this Saturday before hosting Highworth a week later, while United travel to Lydney before finishing at bottom-of-the-table Henley.

“We are going to need Thame to slip up,” said Cornell.

“If it is going to happen it will have to be at Lydney as I can’t see them slipping up at Henley. That’s no disrespect to Henley, but I think they (Thame) will be too strong for them.”

Cornell admitted that the reverse at Ardley was a “massive blow” for Town.

“It means we have to win our two remaining (league) games. It’s going to be tough, but we know we are capable of that and we must concentrate on doing that and try not to worry about things happening elsewhere.”

His treble against Longlevens took Cornell to the 40-goal mark this season, his best ever tally.

“Obviously I am pleased with that, especially as it means I have caught up with TJ (Bohane) because he has been giving me a bit of stick for not being able to keep up with him,” said Cornell.

“After the Thatcham game (last November when he scored a hat-trick) I said you could expect 40 goals from the both of us, so I am delighted we have both now got there.

“Eighty goals between the two of us is not bad going.”

Cornell had also scored Town’s goal at Ardley on a night that saw the two-horse title race take a dramatic turn of events.

It was their first league defeat since November 5, when they lost 2-1 at Tuffley, but they did lose a Hellenic Floodlit Cup tie at Ardley two months ago.

To make the defeat even worse, Town skipper Carl Davies and inspirational midfielder Jamie McClurg were both sent off.

Dismissed for the third time this season, central defender Davies now faces a five-match suspension, while McClurg will miss two games.

Both bans start next Tuesday, meaning they will both miss the Highworth game and the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy final against Binfield at Windsor on April 11.

The Senior Cup final between Hungerford and Maidenhead United could also be played at Larges Lane.

“We have been contacted as to the availability of the ground,” club chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse confirmed.

“It is available and we now await a decision from the Berks & Bucks FA. I am positive that if we are chosen to host this event, it will be a memorable occasion.”

Both finalists – National League South leaders Maidenhead in particular – are well supported and the tie could see more around 1,000 fans squeezing into Bracknell’s new-look ground.