Flackwell 3 Bracknell 1: Defensive frailties cost Robins on opening day

Bracknell Town's Khalid Senussi. Photo: Neil Graham.
Bracknell Town's Khalid Senussi. Photo: Neil Graham.

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After a promising start, defensive frailties cost Bracknell Town on the opening day of the season as 2014-15 champions Flackwell Heath recovered from a goal down to run out 3-1 victors.

Dan Weait made a good save from Adam Cornell after the referee played advantage following a foul on Ian Davies.

Callum Whitty scores a penalty for Bracknell Town at Flackwell Heath. Photo: Neil Graham.
Callum Whitty scores a penalty for Bracknell Town at Flackwell Heath. Photo: Neil Graham.

Callum Whitty opened the scoring in the fifth minute firing his penalty low and left – with Weait going the other way – after the goalkeeper was adjudged to have fouled Davies inside the box.

The visitors continued to press but found themselves trailing as Heath scored with their first two shots in the twelfth and 27th minutes.

Firstly, Matt Stockill’s corner was over the goalkeeper and defence as Jamie Tripp was completely unmarked and afforded a simple header in from close range.

The second goal was a nice flowing move with Dan Burnell receiving the ball wide as the Robins defence were pulled apart with the Flackwell striker picking out captain Ben Sturgess who unselfishly teed up Dan Rapley for an easy finish.

Related: A round-up of all the results from the opening night of Hellenic Premier League action

Manager Mark Tallentire must have been wondering how his side trailed at half time with fourteen shots to the hosts three efforts, especially with captain Carl Davies heading Lee Boon’s corner onto the right post on forty minutes.

Bracknell Town captain Carl Davies. Photo: Neil Graham.
Bracknell Town captain Carl Davies. Photo: Neil Graham.

The second half lacked the fluency of the opening period but Flackwell nearly extended their lead ten minutes in when Chris Grace tipped an effort onto the bar.

Cornell claimed for a penalty after going to ground inside the box on the hour but no penalty was awarded. Must debate inside the ground as to whether it was a penalty with reactions mixed.

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A fourth goal – if there was to be one – was going to be crucial and it was the home side who scored on 75 minutes to give themselves a two goal cushion.

Burnell crossed from the left and Joe Blount was unmarked for another freely headed goal to settle this match once and for all.

Bracknell Town's Chris Grace is beaten at Flackwell Heath. Photo: Neil Graham.
Bracknell Town’s Chris Grace is beaten at Flackwell Heath. Photo: Neil Graham.

Tallentire will be left to rue having seven players unavailable as the starting eleven featured four midfield players who are all attacking minded and unfortunately, it left the Robins with a soft underbelly tonight.

One bright spark was Khalid Senussi (pictured top) who was the standout player for Bracknell, a real live wire throughout.

Full Time: Flackwell Heath 3 – 1 Bracknell Town

Flackwell Heath: Weait, Woodward, Dean, Stockill (Tack 87), Tripp, Gritt, Blount, Sturgess, Gokman (West 79), Burnell, Rapley (Molloy 87). Subs not used: Bayliss, Essex.

Bracknell Town: Grace, Hancock, Gray, Downes, Whitty, C Davies, Boon (Chamberlain 61), McClurg, I Davies (Money 79), Cornell, Senussi. Subs not used: Yeates, Lock.

Main image: Khalid Senussi pictured by Neil Graham.

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