JOE Grant left the field with his arms raised and bearing a wide smile after helping Bracknell Town crush Ashford 6-0 at Larges Lane on Saturday and seal the runners-up prize in the Bostik League's South Central Division, writes Dave Wright.

Playing in a new role at right wing-back, he helped set up three goals for Adam Cornell and at the end of the game he was named the supporters' player of the year.

"I am really chuffed," he said on hearing the good news.

"It's been a real pleasure playing in front of these fans. The support we get home and away is fantastic."

With Dave Hancock nursing a groin injury, manager Geoff Warner and assistant Michael Butcher decided to switch Grant from the attack to defence, and it was a move which paid handsome dividends.

"We sat down with him before the game and went through what we wanted him to do," said Warner.

"I thought he was terrific, three of his crosses led to goals. Joe has improved a hell of a lot this season.

"I told him last year that if he kept training hard and keep on improving, he could play in a higher league. Hopefully, that will happen with Bracknell."

Grant added: "I am happy to play in any position, I will always give 100 per cent.

"I quite enjoyed it. I felt I did my job defensively and was also able to go forward and pleased to get three assists."

The former Ascot United player has bagged 18 league goals this season and is happy with that, saying: "that's not a bad total considering I usually play out wide up front."

Cornell was joined on the goal sheet against Ashford by Joel Jacobs, his second goal in successive games, leading scorer Liam Ferdinand and Kensley Maloney.

It all added up to a most emphatic victory following their 4-2 defeat at Westfield the previous Monday.

Warner stated: "What we have done well this season is when we had a bad result we have always bounced back.

"We had a great training session on Thursday and everyone was geed up.

"It was a really good performance and there were some great moves for the goals.

"We have now scored 100 goals this season and that's three years running we have done that, which is great."

Bracknell met Westfield again last night (Tuesday) in the play-off semi-finals and, if victorious, they will face Cheshunt or Marlow in the final at Larges Lane on Saturday.

Larges Lane is now the venue for next Monday's Berks & Bucks Senior Cup final between Reading FC U23s, who knocked Town out of the competition, and Marlow or Slough. Kick-off is at 3pm.