BRACKNELL Town overcame the sending off of skipper Carl Davies to beat Ascot United 2-0 in their Hellenic League Premier Division opener at Larges Lane on Tuesday, writes Dave Wright.

But the Robins, who had smashed Uxbridge 10-0 in their final pre-season game last Saturday, were made to battle hard by the new-look Ascot side.

Adam Cornell scored in each half, but Town were denied further goals by the woodwork and keeper Lee Allen, who made a highly impressive debut for the Yellamen.

Like they had on Saturday, Town started brightly and took a seventh-minute lead when Cornell turned in a right-wing cross from former Ascot defender Dave Hancock.

They also created further chances with Cornell and Joe Grant going close.

“On Saturday they were going in, but tonight they weren’t,” said manager Mark Tallentire after the game, which was watched by more than 400.

“A more realistic scoreline at half-time would have been 3-0.

“But Ascot came here to do a job and made it a bit tough for us, as I expected them to do.

“We knew they could not come here and just roll over.

“They kept a lot of bodies behind the ball to try to stop us playing.

“But that said, I thought we won comfortably in the end. I think they got in only one shot on target in the whole game.

“The important thing is, we have won our opening game, put three points on the board and kept a clean sheet, so in that respect we’re buzzing.”

However, Tallentire revealed that some of his players were disappointed they had only won by a two-goal margin.

Skipper Davies was disappointed the most, having been sent off for bringing down Viktor Abreu as the new Ascot striker looked to run on to a long clearance from Allen.

This left Robins with 10 men for the last 25 minutes, but they continued to have the better of the game and on 75 minutes they put the issue beyond doubt when, from a free-kick, Jamie McClurg teed up the ball for Cornell to blast home with the help of a deflection.

Liam Ferdinand, who missed the Ascot game through suspension, will return to the Bracknell line-up for their FA Cup extra preliminary round tie against Cowes Sports at Larges Lane on Saturday (3pm).

United visit Ringwood in the same competition.

Binfield were another side to finish with 10 men on Tuesday, when they lost 2-0 at Wantage, Joe Grant having received his marching orders after just 10 minutes for a challenge on Chris Jackson.

Four minutes later the Moles fell behind to a goal from James Glover.

New signing Danny Langford went close to equalising with a header and there were times when Binfield were enjoying more possession.

The game then became 10 against 10 when home defender Jack Powell was sent off for a rash challenge.

Sean Moore and Langford both wasted chances to equalise before Wantage were awarded a penalty. It looked a bit harsh and they felt justice was done when keeper Matt Hill saved Steve Robertson’s spot kick.

However, shortly afterwards, Robertson did beat Hill to put the issue beyond doubt.

Division One East side Wokingham & Emmbrook complete their pre-season programme with an away game against Kidlington Reserves on Saturday.