MANAGER Geoff Warner hopes Bracknell Town's attacking style of football will be rewarded with a place in the play-offs, writes Dave Wright.

His Robins romped to a very impressive 5-1 win at rivals Waltham Abbey on Saturday with Liam Ferdinand bagging a hat-trick.

This leaves them third in the South Central Division of the Bostik League, 15 points behind odds-on title-favourites Hayes & Yeading, but just one point behind Marlow in second place.

At least six other clubs remain in hot pursuit of the play-offs, but on current form Town look more than capable of staying in the top three.

"With the way we are performing at the moment, I am confident we will be okay for the play-offs," said Warner. "We have just to make sure we keep on doing the right things and keep working hard."

He added: "Only Hayes (on 98) have scored more goals than us (68), but we have conceded (36) which is more than most of those sides up around us, and it could well stay that way.

"We always try to play on the front foot, playing an attacking style of football, and we won't change it.

"When Waltham pulled a goal back to make it 2-1, we thought for a moment should we tighten things up at the back, but we decided to go for a third goal and that's what we did.

"We scored another two and we could easily have had more."

Warner was forced to alter his side's shape early in the game as Waltham's back four were playing high and catching Bracknell offside.

But instructions to midfield duo Jamie McClurg and Ash Artwell to make runs from deep paid handsome dividends, with the pair setting up the first two goals for Ferdinand and Adam Cornell.

"We had two or three really good chances to score again in the first half, but we appeared reluctant to shoot and wanted to make the extra pass which gave Walton chance to get back," added Town's manager.

"We didn't start the second half very well and they scored, but Kensley (Maloney) scored a very good goal to put us 3-1 up and we took control of the game and we looked really comfortable in the end.

"We scored two more, but missed three or four more good chances.

"It was a very pleasing performance and set us nicely for our semi-final at Hornchurch."

That Velocity Trophy tie was scheduled for last night (Tuesday).

The league – and gaining promotion – remains Bracknell's main objective and Warner said he is really looking forward to the rest of the season.

"It's a bit like last year," he added. "When I came back to the club we had to win our last 13 games to go up and we have got another challenge on our hands now.

"We have got some good games coming up - we've still to go to Hayes and Marlow - so we have plenty to look forward to, it's something to get excited about."

No matter where the Robins travel to, they are getting good support with Waltham Abbey being no exception last Saturday.

"The amount of fans who travel with us these days is terrific, they are absolutely brilliant," commented Warner.

"I cannot speak highly enough of the supporters who are getting behind the team, no matter where we play."

Bracknell are averaging close to 300 for home games and another good gate is expected this coming Saturday when Molesey are the visitors.

The Surrey side are second from bottom of the table, but last week won 3-2 at Ashford who are on the edge of the play-offs.

Goalkeeper Mark Scott, who has been sidelined for a month by injury, returned to training last Thursday, but Warner said he will not be rushed into playing him as Chris Grace is playing well.

Seb Bowerman is due to have the protective boot taken off his fractured left leg this week and should be able to start running again in a couple of weeks.