BRACKNELL Town manager Mark Tallentire was left “devastated” after seeing his side squander a golden opportunity to become Hellenic League champions, writes Dave Wright.

The Robins lost 2-1 to Highworth in their final Premier Division fixture on Saturday, so handing the title to Thame United by three points.

“It’s hard to find the right words to describe how we feel because we didn’t do ourselves justice,” said Tallentire.

“We were annoyed that we didn’t do our job. We didn’t have any spark about us.

“I can’t say how disappointed we all are, as we had a great chance to do something special.

“What particularly upset me was the manner of the defeat.”

Town, who were 2-1 winners at Highworth in February, had gone into the game level on points with Thame and boasting a superior goal difference of seven.

However, not only did Bracknell lose for the first time on their 3G pitch, but Thame scored nine without reply at bottom club Henley with Lynton Goss responsible for six of them.

A great crowd of just over 700 packed Larges Lane ready to roar Bracknell to victory and that looked on the cards when George Short put them ahead after 33 minutes.

However, by this time, news was coming through from Henley that Thame were piling up the goals.

The pressure on Bracknell intensified and, sadly, they cracked, conceding two goals to Aaron Ferris in the second half.

“I didn’t expect us to lose a home game, I’m devastated,” said Tallentire.

“We got our noses in front and I thought we just about shaded it in the first half for we looked more threatening.

“There were a couple of opportunities we didn’t take and, in games like this, it’s imperative that you do.

“We had players on the treatment table at half-time and I felt there might be one or two players who were not quite up to the job in hand.

“Certain players who I expected to excel didn’t, so that was a disappointment.

“Unfortunately we didn’t perhaps go out for the second half with the right mindset.

“You have got to have all your better players fit and playing.

“As much as the lads who came in did great jobs, we had far too much quality and leadership missing to really stamp our authority on the game over the 90 minutes.”

Bracknell badly missed inspirational skipper Carl Davies and midfield dynamo Jamie McClurg, both due to suspension.

Tallentire added: “It was the manner in which we lost that hurts most.

“When the opportunities came along, we didn’t take them and they took two of theirs. I am as disappointed as the players, we all felt it.

“But congratulations to Thame. They have proved they are the better team over the season and I congratulate them.”

He continued: “At the moment, we are all on the floor, but let’s turn this upside down.

“When I first walked into this club in November (2015) we were second from bottom with only seven points.

“How far we have come in a short space of time is nothing short of amazing. We have made huge strides as a club, there are so many positives around the place.

“Let’s celebrate and say to ourselves, ‘we had a chance to go up but it wasn’t quite our turn.’ Maybe that is a blessing in disguise, I don’t know. For me, it’s not.”

Tallentire concluded: “We now need to pick ourselves up and that could be a little difficult, but hopefully, there will be a response from the players. We are still in three cup competitions.”

Bracknell host Headington Amateurs in the semi-finals of the Bluefin Sport Hellenic League Cup on Thursday, April 20 and then on Saturday, April 29 they visit Wokingham & Emmbrook in the last four of the Reading Senior Cup.

This Saturday (3pm ko) Larges Lane stages the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup final between Marlow United and Woodley United.