A SENSATIONAL 17-minute four-goal blitz set Bracknell Town on their way to a resounding 5-0 win over Windsor at Larges Lane on Tuesday, writes Dave Wright.

Yet the Robins were slow to get going in this Hellenic League Premier Division match involving two sides who had recorded good away wins in the FA Vase on Saturday – with Town winning 1-0 at Lordswood and Windsor 2-1 at Walton & Hersham.

In front of a crowd of nearly 250, the visitors shaded the early stages and when Bracknell did get going, they were wasteful in front of goal.

Colin Mugoya shot wide and fellow midfielder Jamie McClurg had a long-range effort pushed away by goalkeeper Hugo Sobte.

But then the Robins went goal crazy, exposing Windsor’s lack of height and organisation at the back.

Towering Justin Clayton headed down McClurg’s corner for Adam Cornell to poke the ball home in the 25th minute for his 25th goal of the season, and two minutes later Mugoya set up Jon Bennett for the second goal.

Bennett was foiled by Sobte before McClurg and Clayton combined again with Joe Grant this time supplying the finishing touch to make it three goals in eight minutes.

In the 42nd minute, a typical Grant run teed up Bennett and it was 4-0, although by now it could so easily been six or seven.

The second half failed to match the excitement of the first with Town manager Jeff Lamb admitting: “We looked lethargic at times.”

Windsor, having tightened up in defence, started to create a few scoring chances, but ‘keeper Chris Grace was in top form, making several fine saves including two efforts from veteran striker Barry Hayles late in the game.

Town had the final say when two minutes from time substitute Carl Withers put Grant through for his second and Town’s fifth goal, taking his season’s tally to 15.

Last Saturday, Grant scored the only goal of the game, on 10 minutes, when Bracknell defeated Lordswood to reach the last 32 of the FA Vase for the first time since the 1985-86 season.

They will now visit Wessex League side Blackfield & Langley, near Southampton, on January 6.

Bet Victor have installed Bracknell as the 8-1 third favourites to lift win the Vase at Wembley, although Betway are offering more generous odds of 16-1.

The Robins lie third in the Hellenic League with 44 points, 12 behind Highworth with two games in hand and this Saturday they make the long trek down to Gloucestershire to play Longlevens.