BRACKNELL Town easily swept aside Ashford Town on Saturday with the 4-0 margin hardly reflecting their dominance of this Isthmian League South Central Division game at Larges Lane, writes Dave Wright.

Nathan Minhas bagged a hat-trick with Max Herbert adding the other goal, three of them coming in the first half.

Manager Sam Lock rated it a "good performance" by his side, despite seeing them squander many scoring chances.

"We were lively in the first half and were ruthless in our approach work," he said.

"In the second half, we missed plenty of opportunities, but the good thing is we were creating them.

"Our forwards played very well and there is more to come from them."

Ashford, bottom of the table and without a point, were "limited at times", but as Lock added: "You can only beat what is placed in front of you."

Town's manager was missing seven players mainly due to injury – with forwards Lee Barney and Shane Cooper-Clark among them – and he named new signing Marcus Mealing on the bench.

The experienced striker has played for several clubs, including league rivals Marlow and more recently Knaphill in the Combined Counties League.

Lock commented: "We need four strikers and so had to look to bring someone else in, and we got the opportunity to bring in Marcus.

"He is a player I and a lot of the boys know. He was unattached, so it was an easy signing for us. We are delighted to have him with us. He did well when he came on and it was a shame he didn't score."

It was Minhas who showed the Robins the way to goal with two identical efforts in the 13th and 22nd minutes.

Robb Sheridan sent a long throw-in from the right which Justin Clayton headed on across goal for Minhas to turn over the line from close range.

Between those goals, centre-back Clayton had gone close himself with a header from Seb Bowerman's cross.

Dan Carr saw his effort deflected for a corner, Nicholas Bignall had a header saved by keeper Sam Mason and Minhas shot over the bar before Town added a third goal in the 38th minute.

The excellent Carr and Minhas were involved in the move down the right with midfielder Herbert coming in at the far post to provide the finish.

Only smart work by Mason prevented Bignall and Bowerman adding to the tally before half-time.

And early in the second half, the same two players combined with only a clearance just in front of the line denying Bignall a goal.

On 55 minutes Bignall gave way to Mealing and Bowerman immediately set up a chance for the new striker, but his shot flew just over the bar.

Town continued to pound away at the Ashford goal and had two 'goals' ruled out for offside before Minhas completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes following more good work by Carr.

Bracknell now turn their attentions to the FA Cup with a home tie this coming Saturday against Carshalton Athletic side, currently fourth in the Isthmian Premier Division, with 12 points from six games.

"They are a top club," said Lock. "They have a pitch similar to ours and are a club with a good infrastructure."