BRACKNELL Town took another step closer to securing promotion to the Southern League with a 4-0 win over Brackley Town Saints at Larges Lane on Tuesday, writes Dave Wright.

The Robins move up to third in the Hellenic League Premier Division table with four games left, trailing already-promoted Thatcham Town, who have 92 points and two matches remaining.

Long-time league leaders Highworth Town, beaten 2-0 by Thatcham on Monday when former Binfield and Bracknell player Liam Ferdinand scored twice in stoppage time, have completed their fixtures with 88 points.

The only slight threat to Town for a top two spot are Wantage who have 84 points with two games left, so they could end up with 90 points, meaning the Robins, who have a superior goal difference, need just another five points to finish above them.

The Robins took a seventh-minute lead through Kensley Maloney, who produced another energetic performance in midfield in what was his last game before starting a three-match suspension following his red card against Thatcham last week.

In addition to Maloney, Town will also be missing right-back Dave Hancock who is on holiday, having left the skipper’s armband in the safe hands of Jamie McClurg. Young Elliott Legg filled in at right-back for Hancock on Tuesday and did himself credit.

Despite having much the better of the game and delivering some decent balls into the Saints area, Bracknell’s finishing was not matching their approach work. However, that changed when Town made a tactical change just before the hour mark, taking off leading scorer Adam Cornell, switching Joe Grant to a more central role with substitute Darren Wheeler wide on the right flank.

Seconds later, Grant was involved in the second goal netted by TJ Bohane, he scored the third himself with a good run and finish, and an equally explosive shot from Seb Bowerman brought the Robins their fourth – three goals in the space of 13 minutes, during which Maloney also struck the upright.

Saints, who played some neat football at times, nearly grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time, being denied by two goal-line clearances, quickly followed by a double save from keeper Chris Grace.

This was Town’s 12 successive league win, a run they will be looking to extend against mid-table Windsor at Stag Meadow tonight (Friday, 7.45pm). The host club are not charging admission, but there will be a collection for the Windsor Homeless Project.

Bracknell are also in action again next Tuesday (7.45pm) when they take on relegation-threatened Woodley United at Rivermoor Stadium in Scours Lane, Reading.