BRACKNELL Town are through to the last-16 of the Isthmian League Velocity Trophy after defeating Hornchurch 2-0 at rain-lashed Larges Lane on Wednesday, writes Dave Wright.

On paper, it looks a good result, with the Robins 12th in the South Central Division while the Urchins are fourth in the Premier Division, and through to the second round of the FA Trophy after defeating Dulwich Hamlet last Saturday.

However, of the 11 who started against Dulwich, not one played at Bracknell. Instead, they fielded an Under 18s side who usually play in the Eastern Junior Alliance.

The youngsters, whose late arrival led to the kick-off being delayed for 15 minutes, put up a decent show, but were generally outclassed by the Robins who should have won by a much wider margin

Having remained unbeaten in the Group Stages, this was their sixth win in the competition.

New manager Bobby Wilkinson made several changes to his side who had drawn 1-1 with table-topping Hanwell on Saturday, giving debuts to five signings, four of them from the start.

The new goalkeeping coach, Jason Matthews, took over the keeper's jersey in a game where he was hardly troubled, while 20-year-old Joy Mukena, recently released by Watford and having previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, was impressive at centre back, although he, too, was rarely put under any pressure.

Joseph Chidyausiku, 21, on loan from Chelmsford City, and 19-year-old Mikel Platt, from Queens Park Rangers Under 18s, formed a new strike partnership.

It was Chidyausiku who opened the scoring after 16 minutes when he turned home Dan Carr's cross past keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi, who had an excellent game between the posts.

And it was Carr who also set up the second goal for Seb Bowerman in the opening minute of the second half. Bowerman thoroughly deserved his goal as his workrate throughout the game was outstanding.

Both the new forwards were replaced just after the hour mark by Brad Farren, one of the club's talented youngsters, and Alan Musoke, a new signing from Southern League Division One Central strugglers St Neots Town, having scored a hat-trick in their recent 5-0 win over Wantage.

In addition to the newcomers, Wilkinson also switched Dan Bayliss, who had scored against Hanwell on Saturday, from centre back into a more midfield role.

The manager will continue to try out new formations as he looks to find his best combination, and has arranged a home friendly against Windsor on Monday.

Before that, the Robins are away to Marlow this Saturday (3pm), seeking their first league win in five games.