BRACKNELL Town revved up for a massive week of cup football at Larges Lane with a magnificent 7-1 drubbing of Egham on Tuesday night, which saw them regain top spot in the Bostik League's South Central Division, writes Dave Wright.

The Robins were bouncing back from a shock 3-2 loss at Uxbridge last Saturday, their first defeat in a league fixture since the end of last December.

And that will raise their confidence sky high as they prepare to host Bostik Premier Division side Bognor Regis in the FA Trophy on Saturday (3pm) and then Reading FC Under 23s in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup next Tuesday (7.30pm).

Both visiting teams will offer considerably tougher opposition than struggling Egham, but if Town can reproduce the same attacking flair, then they will stand a chance of causing an upset or two.

They were unstoppable last Tuesday and could easily have reached double figures as they got Saturday's below-par performance out of their system.

"It's exactly what the doctor ordered," beamed player-manager Carl Davies. "I could not have asked for a better reaction from the players.

"They had a bit of a stern talking to after Saturday, I made it known I was very disappointed. I felt they had let me down with their first half-hour's performance, as it was nowhere near our brand of football."

Davies continued: "Apart from not keeping a clean sheet, I could not have asked for more. The lads were superb and it was a joy to play with them. Some of the football they played was unbelievable."

Bracknell put Egham's defence under so much pressure that the first goal after seven minutes and the third on 55 minutes were officially recorded as own goals, although Liam Ferdinand and Adam Cornell can take much of the credit.

Ferdinand (11 minutes), Seb Bowerman (55) and Cornell (63) were on target before the outstanding Joe Grant bagged a brace in the 65th and 86th minutes, the latter coming from an overhead kick after his initial effort had been pushed out by keeper Andy McCorkell.

The over-worked goalie was beaten again by substitute Kensley Maloney, only to see the ball hit the inside of both uprights before rebounding out.

Robins had gifted Egham skipper Ashley Lodge a goal in the 28th minute.

Bracknell were missing three regulars – goalkeeper Mark Scott due to a groin injury, Ryan Parsons (hamstring) and Matty Day (not available).

Day should return on Saturday, Scott, who was replaced by Chris Grace, remains doubtful and Parsons is definitely ruled out, although his injury is not as bad as he first feared after limping off at Uxbridge.

Bracknell's head of football, Mark Tallentire, watched Bognor last weekend when they were held to a goalless draw by Margate. The Rocks, also hit by injury, lost 2-1 at Hythe in the Velocity Cup on Tuesday and have won only two of their last eight league and cup ties.

Davies continued: "The club's aim is to play in the (Bostik) Premier Division and so this is a good chance to see where we are in terms of that."

Providing a replay is not required, Bracknell will then take on Reading in the second round of the Senior Cup.

Town, who are expecting a crowd close to 1,000, sold around 100 tickets last Tuesday evening and are available from the club, priced £5 and £3 concessions.

Due to very limited space in Larges Lane, there will be extra car parking at nearby Bracknell & Wokingham College and St Joseph's School in Gipsy Lane.

Ascot United are out of the Senior Cup following a 3-0 home defeat by Marlow on Tuesday. One of their former strikers, Charlie Samuel, netted after 36 minutes, with substitute Marcus Mealing heading home just after the hour mark with Jay Welch completing the scoring late in the tie.

Second-placed Ascot, who were held to a 2-2 at Shrivenham last Saturday, host Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Brackley Town Saints at the Racecourse Ground this Saturday.

Binfield, having won 4-2 in extra time at Thornbury in the Bluefin Sports Cup last weekend, are home to Longlevens this weekend before visiting Brackley next Wednesday.

Wokingham & Emmbrook pulled off a superb 1-0 win over Premier Division side Reading City in the Bluefin Sports Cup thanks to a first-half goal from Ellis Day, and will be looking to maintain their good form when they visit Penn & Tylers Green on Saturday.