BRACKNELL Town’s fixture backlog continues to grow following the predictable postponement of their away game with Tuffley Rovers last Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

Club chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse was far from happy, using social media to express his “incredible frustration” especially as Larges Lane was available.

Robins were prepared to play Tuffley at Larges Lane – bringing the fixture forward from April 14 – but claim their request was turned down by the Hellenic League even though their opponents were happy to make the switch.

“This is what we are up against these days,” commented director Bob Langridge. “We are getting no favours from the league and we will have to do it the hard way.”

It means Bracknell still have 13 league fixtures remaining, with three of them in Gloucestershire, making their bid for the title even more difficult.

They are due to make two trips in the same week, going to Fairford on Saturday, April 7, followed by Lydney the following Tuesday.

Town did make a worthwhile trip to the county last Wednesday when they won 5-2 at Longlevens in the quarter-finals of the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup.

With new player-manager Carl Davies preferring training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, the Robins sent down a mixed side containing a few first-teamers, reserves and young players, including teenagers Sam Jones and Billy Cole.

Dan Roberts scored twice, with Jon Bennett, Joe Gater and Dan Reed also on target for the Robins, who led led 3-2 at half-time.

If the reserves, managed by Andy Findlay, were expecting another outing on Saturday they were out of luck.

Instead, Davies packed his squad with first-team players for the Suburban League game away to Ascot United Development and not surprisingly they won 4-1 to stay top of the table.

The Robins took an early lead through Seb Bowerman and he scored again on 17 minutes.

They created numerous other chances, only to find United’s first-team keeper Lee Allen in top form, with TJ Bohane causing him most problems.

The Yellamen came more into the game towards half-time and reduced their deficit when Harvey Beales headed Callum Carlisle’s cross past Chris Grace.

In the second half, Davies squandered a good chance before Bohane out-jumped Allen to make it 3-1.

Soon afterwards, the best move of the game, involving Bohane and Jamie McClurg, led to Adam Cornell firing over the bar.

Roberts was also foiled by Allen, but fellow substitute Read had better luck in the 73rd minute, netting his side’s fourth.

Another replacement, Josh Delander caused problems in the dying moments, but was thwarted by Allen on two occasions.

Bracknell News:

Seb Bowerman was on the scoresheet for Bracknell Town.

Bracknell stay on course to win the Central Division of the Suburban League with Andy Findlay’s men six points better off than second-placed Flackwell Heath, although having played two more games and with just two still to play.

Flackwell’s first team did Town a favour last Saturday by winning 3-2 at leaders Highworth.

The Worthians are now only two points better off than Thatcham – 2-0 winners at Brackley Town Saints – having played a game more.

The Kingfishers, who face 1874 Northwich in the home leg of their FA Vase semi-final this Saturday, must now be considered favourites for the title. They have 77 points from 31 games, with Bracknell fifth on 59 points from 25 matches.

Bracknell will be looking to cut the gap when they visit 13th-placed Brackley Town Saints tonight (Wednesday), while this Saturday they host Longlevens, who are eighth, at Larges Lane and next Tuesday, they are scheduled to play Division 1 East title-chasing Virginia Water at Windsor’s Stag Meadow in the quarter-finals of the Bluefin Sports Hellenic League Cup (7.45pm ko).

Gloucestershire currently appears to be the wettest county in the southern half of the country, as Binfield’s fixture at Longlevens last Saturday’s also fell victim to a waterlogged pitch. The sixth-placed Moles are home to the side immediately below them, Brimscombe & Thrupp, this Saturday (3pm).

Ascot United, whose game away to relegation-threatened Woodley United last Saturday was called off, are without a fixture this weekend.

In Division 1 East, fourth-placed Sandhurst went down 2-0 away to the second club, Bicester Town, with Ricardo Benjamin netting after 20 minutes and Elliott Powell five minutes into the second half.

The Fizzers visit Chalfont Wasps this Saturday (3pm).

Eversley & California return to Combined Counties League Division 1 action at Sheerwater on Saturday afternoon (3pm) and next Tuesday (7.30pm) host Frimley Green.