Little magician Maloney strikes as Bracknell Town see off Binfield in 90th minute

Photo: Richard Claypole.
Photo: Richard Claypole.

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Bracknell Town returned home to Larges Lane after the near million pound redevelopment with a local derby against Binfield and the massive crowd of 476 were treated to a real tussle with the hosts winning thanks to substitute Kensley Maloney’s stunning solo goal in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier League.

With the Robins dominating in the first half but with only a solitary goal to show for it, the Moles fought back to level on two occasions showing tremendous character but were undone by the little magician Maloney who struck at the death.

Adam Cornell fired wide left after only ten seconds and a few minute later he found goalkeeper Mo Nyamunga before Carl Withers drove left on seven minutes.

Related: When’s the next Bracknell Town home game?

The opening goal came on nine minutes with Nyamunga missing Cornell’s cross and Joe Grant tussled with left back Alex Luis but got the vital touch to steer the ball home.

Photo: Richard Claypole.

Nyamunga did very well shortly after to deny Grant a second from an acute angle before he saved from Cornell twice who had far more time on the second chance than he realised.

With 25 minutes played, Grant Kemp had Binfield’s first shot firing right before he was denied by Chris Grace shortly afterwards.

Cornell headed Seb Bowerman’s cross left before Grant narrowly shot over from 25 yards with a well struck dipping effort and Nyamunga kept Cornell at bay again as he stole in front of his marker to meet Withers’ corner.

As the half drew to a close, Cornell dragged his effort wide right and TJ Bohane headed Johnny Gray’s cross at Nyamunga as a dominant Bracknell side failed to extend their lead.

Half Time: Bracknell Town 1 – 0 Binfield

Binfield came out fired up in the second period and promptly drew level three minutes after the restart. Grace advanced to collect a left sided cross but defender Alex Rodrigues chested the ball back beyond Grace thinking the keeper was on his line.

Photo: Neil Graham.
Photo: Neil Graham.

Bohane missed two chances before the hosts were awarded a 57th minute penalty. Grant’s shot struck the arm of Alex Luis who was booked for his protests.

Luis could be considered unlucky as his arm never moved to the ball but although it was by his side, it was slightly away from his body.

Bowerman coolly stepped up and despatched his sixth penalty in as many matches just inside the left post but although Nyamunga guessed right, the preciseness of the spot kick beat him.

The lead lasted only four minutes as the Moles came again. Jamie McClurg gave the ball away in the middle of the park and a sweeping pass found Sean Moore who cut inside and stunningly drove the ball into the far right hand corner.

Binfield looked most likely at that stage to grab a winner with Liam Ferdinand shooting left before James Knight fired over from a central position.

Ferdinand did manage to beat Grace in the 86th minute but captain Carl Davies was there to clear off the line before the last minute drama.

He's in there somewhere, Kensley Maloney is mobbed. Photo: Richard Claypole.
He’s in there somewhere, Kensley Maloney is mobbed. Photo: Richard Claypole.

Maloney – on as a 76th minute substitute – received the ball with players in front of him but he weaved past two defenders before shooting through Nyamunga’s legs and just inside the far post to send the home fans delirious.

There’s no doubting that Bracknell deserved the victory but their profligacy in front of goal was very nearly punished by a resolute Binfield side who fought back twice with a spirited performance before the little magician Maloney popped up to steal the headlines.

The hosts move up to second with the win and now host struggling Oxford City Nomads on Saturday whilst the Moles drop to seventh and have a trip to tenth place Longlevens this weekend.

Full Time: Bracknell Town 3 – 2 Binfield

Bracknell Town: Grace, Hancock, Gray, Withers (Short 68), Rodrigues, Davies, Grant, McClurg, Cornell, Bohane, Bowerman (Maloney 76). Subs not used: Whitty, Chamberlain, Senussi.

Binfield: Nyamunga, A. Walton, Luis, M. Walton, Leonetti, Smith, Kemp (White 51), Knight, Ferdinand, Moore, Broome. Subs not used: Jones, Suarez, Hayden, Dean.

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