MANAGER Bobby Wilkinson continues to make sweeping changes at Bracknell Town, writes Dave Wright.

Wilkinson had five new signings in the squad that defeated Hornchurch 2-0 in the Isthmian League Velocity Trophy last Wednesday, and there could be more fresh faces on view when the Robins host Northwood in a South Central Division fixture at Larges Lane this coming Saturday (3pm).

As a result, there could be one or two departures to follow central midfielder Harrison Bayley, who left the club last week for “personal reasons”.

One still awaiting to pull on a Town shirt for the first time is 23-year-old centre back Josue Antonio, whose previous clubs include Swindon Town, Farnborough, Bishop’s Stortford and Eastbourne United.

In 2014, the Londoner was one of two players from 5,700 entrants in a Samsung-sponsored Win A Pro Contract competition to earn a one-year professional contract with Swindon.

Wilkinson has already strengthened his defence and attack, so one or two midfielders will be next on his shopping list.

He gave debuts to five signings, four of them from the start for the tie against Premier Division club Hornchurch, who brought a side of youth players rather than the first team to Berkshire.

New goalkeeping coach Jason Matthews was between the posts, 20-year-old Joy Mukena, recently released by Watford and having previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, was at centre back, with Joseph Chidyausiku, 21 and on loan from Chelmsford City, and 19-year-old Mikel Platt, from Queens Park Rangers Under 18s, forming a new strike partnership.

Of the quintet, Mukena caught the eye the most, looking very composed, although he was not seriously tested by the Hornchurch teenagers.

It was Chidyausiku who opened the scoring after 16 minutes when he turned home Dan Carr’s cross past keeper Collin Andeng-Ndi.

Carr also set up the second goal in the opening minute of the second half for Seb Bowerman, who thoroughly deserved his strike 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 and who 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 last weekend, from centre back into a more midfield role. In a vote among fans, he was named man-of-the-match for the second game running.

Bracknell, beaten semi-finalists last year, are now through to the last-16 of the Velocity Trophy and will be at home to Lewes, currently 16th in the Premier Division, with five of their six wins having come on their travels.

The tie is scheduled to be played before January 22.

It will a busy month for Bracknell as they have league fixtures at Ashford Town on January 4th before home games with Hertford on the 11th, Tooting & Mitcham on the 14th and Chertsey on the 18th, followed by a visit to FC Romania on the 25th.

They also have to fit in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup second round tie at Hungerford.

The Robins remain 12th in the South Central Division following the postponement of their visit to Marlow on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch.

On Monday, they were planning to host Windsor in a friendly, giving Wilkinson a valuable opportunity to look at his new signings again and try to find his best formation.

Having enjoyed great success with Hungerford and Wealdstone, Wilkinson has been named among the top 30 non-league managers during the past decade in a poll conducted by the Non-League Paper.

* In the Hellenic League, a waterlogged pitch forced Binfield to postpone their home game with Brackley Town Saints.

Already well behind with their fixtures, they hope to return to action against Reading City at Rivermoor Stadium on Boxing Day (3pm), followed by Holmer Green away this Saturday (3pm).

Wokingham & Emmbrook, having seen their trip to AFC Aldermaston fall a victim to the weather, can look forward to meeting Chalvey Sports on the 3G pitch at Arbour Park this Saturday (3pm).