Hellenic Premier

Bracknell Town 2

Brimscombe & Thrupp 0

ONE-TIME Shortwood United striker TJ Bohane struck a brace to condemn Brimscombe and Thrupp to defeat at Bracknell Town’s Larges Lane, writes Richard Joyce.

The former Southern League side’s ambitions to return to the next tier above the Hellenic Premier was clear to see with the quality available to their boss Jeff Lamb.

But Brimscombe, who were missing key men Ashley Caldwell, Sam Blackie, Karl Nash, Edd Major and Ollie Pitt, put up an impressive fight, with former Bristol City midfielder Harrison Reeves handed his debut in midfield.

Bracknell took the early initiative on the 4G surface in Berkshire when Joe Grant forced Ashley Gale into a save before Bohane headed in from a corner to put them a goal up.

Momentum was wrestled the way of Brimscombe by the midpoint of the half however.

John Evans tried his luck with a low shot and Chris Greenhough spurned a huge opportunity at the back post after a sweeping move had seen Elijah Simpson and Ben Deakin combine to set up the captain.

A key save just before half time from Gale kept out another Grant effort, and after the Lilywhites stopper had denied Seb Bowerman in the first minute of the second half, Bohane struck again with a fierce strike from distance that doubled Bracknell’s lead.

Brimscombe continued to create chances in response. Reeves had an attempt inside the box saved, while another excellent team move saw Deakin denied by the woodwork after Josh Beadle, Jack Smith and Reeves had worked together to set the attacker up.

The Bracknell goal would ultimately not be breached, and Gale ensured Bracknell’s advantage remained at just the two goals when he saved from Bowerman and Grant in the final five minutes.

BRACKNELL: Grace, Hancock, Parsons, Withers, Gater, Davies, Grant, Mugoya, Cornell, Bohane, Bowerman, Senussi, Bennett, Kirby, Roberts, Hennah

BRIMSCOMBE: Gale, Marks, Hill, Greenhough, Turner, Evans (Pates), Simpson (Pitts), Reeves, Deakin, Vadasz (Beadle), Smith