MATCH PREVIEW: Bracknell Town vs Wimborne Town

After escaping relegation on goal difference last season, Bracknell made a disappointing start to this league campaign. By the end of October they had taken a mere six points from their twelve fixtures – a 3-2 home win over Basingstoke on August Bank Holiday Monday, a draw at home to Uxbridge, and draws at Weymouth and Chertsey. A 6-1 thumping at Gosport saw third manager of the season Matthew Saunders depart to be replaced by former club captain and player-manager Carl Davies.

Since then the new boss, together with some astute signings, has got The Robins singing as the subsequent eight games have seen four wins (1-0 at Sholing, 3-0 at home to Havant, 2-1 at home to Hanwell, and, most recently 3-2 at home to Taunton), draws at home to Dorchester, away to Evesham, and home to Hungerford, and just one loss – 4-1 at Yate. The Robins have scored in each of those games. Those results have lifted Bracknell to a season-high 14^th with a W5 D6 L9 GF 28 GA 38 record; at home it’s W4 D3 L4, but, when we dig a little deeper we note that they are on a five-game unbeaten home run. In the current form table Davies’ men are 8^th with a W3 D2 L1 record. I mentioned some recent signings, and one of them is a very familiar name to long-term Magpies supporters – Jack Mazzone who was a prolific striker at Met Police and Chertsey. And he’s started pretty well at Bracknell too, scoring in each of their last three matches. But it’s Seb Bowerman and Joe Grant who lead the club’s scoring stats for this term.

Wimborne are on an unbeaten league run of their own: eight matches – four wins and four draws, the most recent of which were home draws against top-six teams Gloucester and Sholing. As a result, Tim’s team sits one place below Bracknell in the current form table. But in the table that matters, we’re 7^th with a W8 D7 L3 GF 31 GA 17 record; on our travels it’s W2 D3 L3. Like last Saturday, Manager Sills will have few selection options, and may have to bring in a player or two as he will again be without Cam Plain, Sam Roberts and Ben Scorey, with Billy Walker an injury doubt.

Last season was the first time The Magpies and The Robins had met. It was goal-less on the 3G at Sandhurst in October, but Seb Bowerman bagged a brace for Bracknell at New Cuthbury in February before Will Fletcher pulled one back in vain in the reverse fixture.

Two teams high on confidence going head-to-head makes this a compelling fixture.

Match Info:

• Bracknell's Ground: The SB Stadium, Sandhurst Memorial Park, Yorktown Road, Sandhurst, Berks GU47 9BJ - c.75 miles.
• Parking: We’re asked to park at Pyes Acre Car Park, GU47 9AH a short, five min stroll to The SB Stadium.
• There are spaces on the team coach for supporters – please contact Paula if you’re interested.
• Gate Prices: Adult : £10; concessions : £7; U18s : free         tickets £2 cheaper online
• Average Att: 493
• Weather Forecast: Clear; 10oC; 10% chance of rain.