Bracknell Town FC 0 Highmoor-IBIS 2: Full report from Tuesday nights encounter

Keeping ahead of the game the battered Callum Whitty tries to get Bracknell something out of the game. Photo: Mark Pugh.
Keeping ahead of the game the battered Callum Whitty tries to get Bracknell something out of the game. Photo: Mark Pugh.

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Anthony White struck in either half to give Highmoor-IBIS a hard fought victory over Bracknell Town who were playing the first game at their temporary Bottom Meadow ground in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division.

Clear chances were few and far between throughout the match with the Robins only creating two good chances in a single move as the stubborn Ibis defence led by the outstanding Frankie Boamoah and Danny Lingwood held firm.

At the other end, that’s now eight goals conceded in the opening four matches for Mark Tallentire’s men as defensive frailties once again cost them dearly.

Bracknell keeper Chris Grace saves in the first half against the Highmoor No9 Anthony White, who gets a brace in the second half for Highmoor-IBIS. Photo: Mark Pugh.
Bracknell keeper Chris Grace saves in the first half against the Highmoor No9 Anthony White, who gets a brace in the second half for Highmoor-IBIS. Photo: Mark Pugh.

A slow opening saw Adam Cornell with a couple of efforts off target whilst for the visitors, White crossed for Mitchell Parker who fired into the side netting but it was never troubling goalkeeper Chris Grace.

Around the thirty minute mark, White headed wide left under defensive pressure before he got between Callum Whitty and Johnny Gray but he screwed his chance wide right.

White did manage to open the scoring in the 35th minute when he met a headed flick-on to fire past Grace who will have been less than amused by his defence’s inability to clear the danger.

Half Time: Bracknell Town 0 – 1 Highmoor Ibis

The hosts needed a good start after the break and they perhaps should have drawn level in the 62nd minute. Boamoah misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Khalid Senussi a shot which defender Jamie Porter cleared off the line.

With the loose ball falling at the feet of Cornell many expected him to smash in the rebound but goalkeeper Nathan Silver made a good save on his line.

Four minutes later and those misses were punished as White struck his second to extend the lead. Carl Davies should have cleared the ball out wide but failed to do so and the resulting cross was met by White who saw his header well saved by Grace but White was able to fire home the rebound.

Jamie Piercey could have extended the lead further when he got between Whitty and Gray but he missed to the left under pressure from Grace.

The Robins failed to create a good opportunity in the last twenty minutes but there was still time for a ninetieth minute melee.

Whitty was very lucky not to receive a second yellow card after going in late on Silver whilst Lingwood was equally as fortunate to only get a booking and not a red card as he retaliated by lunging at Whitty and aggressively shoving him with both hands into the back of his head.

No way through for Khalid Senussi as Bracnell chase a two goal deficit against Highmoor-IBIS. Photo: Mark Pugh.
No way through for Khalid Senussi as Bracnell chase a two goal deficit against Highmoor-IBIS. Photo: Mark Pugh.

Highmoor were very organised and played well on the night but the Bracknell fans would have left feeling massively underwhelmed by their sides showing and they will need to improve if they wish to progress in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday against Evo-Stik Southern League side Egham Town.

Ibis on the other hand will be full of confidence when they host fellow Premier Division side Brimscombe & Thrupp also in the FA Cup this weekend on the back of four straight victories to start the season.

Full Time: Bracknell Town 0 – 2 Highmoor-IBIS

Bracknell Town: Grace, Hancock, Gray, Withers (Short 19), Whitty, C Davies, Chamberlain (Grant 71), McClurg, Cornell, Maloney (Downes 61), Senussi. Subs not used: Wing, Lock.

Highmoor-IBIS: Silver, Boamoah, Reid, Bailey, Lingwood, Porter, Sankoh (Cashin-Murray 81), C Gerrard, White, Parker, Piercey. Subs not used: Y Romeo, Commock, Best, York.

Main image: A bandaged Callum Whitty by Mark Pugh.

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