Football is a game of two halfs and the game between Uxbridge FC and Bracknell Town served more than most to illustrate this. Two of the teams predicted to finish in the top 5 met in blustery conditions at The honeypot. Bracknell came into the game on the back of a 2-0 win against Chipstead the week before whilst Uxbridge had lost 1-0 to Chertsey.
Bracknell started the game at breakneck speed dominating the Uxbridge defence in the opening minutes and going close with Perry Cole's header. The early exchanges were dominated by Bracknell who seemed to be on the edge of scoring.
Uxbridge were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box which Marlondo Marlin stepped up to take. However, it was easily saved by the Bracknell keeper.
Bracknell went close again on the 20 minute mark when Seb Bowerman cut in on the edge of the box. He glided past the Uxbridge defenders and slid the ball to the side of the Uxbridge keeper Tyler Tobin. 0-1.
Only a few minutes later Bowerman cut through the Uxbridge defence again before being fouled on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was saved by the goalkeeper.
It wasn’t long before Bracknell had another chance as a long ball from defence found Louise Soures. Whilst the ball reached him with the Uxbridge goalkeeper off his line, he failed to capitalise on the opportunity; lifting the ball over the keeper and wide of the goal.
With 30 minutes of the game gone, Bracknell came close again as Louise Soures delivered a ball across the box; however no one in Bracknell red could connect with it so went out for a goal kick.
Seb Bowerman who had scored earlier in the game, was proving to be a nuisance for Uxbridge as he went close again moments later.
Just before half time, Bracknell increased their lead, when defender Caden Genovesi was played in on the edge of the box before cutting back inside and slotting the ball home to make it 0-2.
Half time Uxbridge 0-2 Bracknell Town
As the second half got underway, Perry Coles for Bracknell had an early chance when he took control of a missed ball by the Uxbridge defence and broke through on goal. He then played the ball across the box however, with no one able to connect with it, Uxbridge were able to clear their lines.
As the second half developed, Uxbridge would grow in confidence and create more chances with Ryan Haugh coming close close. Seb Bowerman would go close again in the 67th minute, running with the ball from just inside the Uxbridge half all the way into the box before cutting the ball and unleashing a shot, only for it to be saved by the Uxbridge goalkeeper.
With less than 15 minutes to go, Uxbridge forced their way back into the game when Marlondon Martin slotted the ball past Mark Scott. Bracknell looked to restore there 2 goal lead on 81 minute when Daniel Bayliss connected with a corner, only for his header to land wide of the post.
All this would be in vain as only moments later Uxbridge attacked Bracknell’s defence before the ball dropped to Mark Bitmead inside of the box to equalise. After the restart Bracknell pressed for a goal to lead the game again with a variety of chances but were finding it increasingly hard to break down the Uxbridge defence again. Seb Bowerman would go close once again in the closing minutes of the game as he dribbled through the Uxbridge defence and took a shot that was easily saved by the Uxbridge goalkeeper. Bracknell were on the attack again as the referee signalled for the end of the match.
The final score was disappointing for Bracknell who dominated the game in the first half and could have been 4 or 5 up. This said, in the second half, Uxbridge did establish themselves more in the game and could have won the game also.
Bracknell will need to improve more if they want to win this league and will hope to bring in reinforcements for the squad in the coming weeks.
Speaking to Uxbridge Coach Danny Edwards afterwards, he said he was impressed with how his team got back into the game. He also mentioned how his team played much better than the week before when they lost. Danny commented that Bracknell were a very good team.
Bobby Wilkinson, manager of Bracknell on the other hand was disappointed, commenting that they need to be more clinical in front of goal and to take their chances. The squad was also a little thin with 2 U18 players and will be looking to address this over the coming weeks.
Full time Uxbridge 2-2 Bracknell Town.
Attendance: 130
Man of the match: Seb Bowerman
Uxbridge
Tobin (GK), Goodman,Haugh,Harper,Poley,Hedley,Paine, Mulley,Martin,Bitmead,Little
Subs: Bunting (68 for Harper), Bignall (46 replacing Mulley), Bates,Talla,Otuyo
Bracknell
Scott(GK),Dean,Genovesi,Nditi,Bayliss,Rees,Herbert,Soares,Coles,Grant, Bowerman,
Subs: Knight (84 for Coles), Rodgers,Ishamae (64 for Coles)l,Dupray,Wright
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