FC Bracknell v Mortimer Reserves
Berks & Bucks FA David Grainge Saturday County Junior Trophy
On a wet Saturday morning I made the short hop over to Great Hollands to take in the match between FC Bracknell and Mortimer Reserves in the cup competition which must be vying for the title of the longest name in football.
This was my first visit to FC Bracknell who are taking part in Saturday football for the first time this season and have adapted well, winning three of their first four in the fledgling East Berkshire Football League season. Mortimer Reserves, from the Thames Valley Premier League Division One, had only faced one game so far this season but came out victorious with a 4-0 away win so, with both sides in good form, this had the makings of a decent contest.
The hosts started the game very brightly and made several chances in the early stages. First, a nice run down the right flank and cut back inside from Callum Cobb gave him space to hit a good effort from the edge of the box which looking to be going in before keeper Geoff Perrin tipped the ball over the bar. Next Henry Walters had a half chance inside the box but dragged his effort wide from an acute angle.
Mortimer had their first chance when a Callum Brown long throw was headed goalwards by Caleb Tong but Josh Cowie was there to dive low to his right and push the ball away to safety.
In the 27th minute the home side were awarded a penalty, allegedly for a push in the area. Shahid Bhatti took responsibility for the spot kick and confidently struck it into the corner past Perrin’s left hand. 1-0
They could have doubled their lead moments later after, a fine cross from the right found Bracken Sharp all alone in the box but he skewed his header wide of the near post. Sharp was involved again soon after finding space outside the box and hitting a first time strike just too high.
Mortimer won a free kick on the edge of the area where James Croft managed to curl the ball around the wall but Cowie was there to push the ball away.
On the stroke of half time Bracken Sharp picked up the ball after a decent move down the right and sent his shot rocketing past Perrin and into the top right hand corner, a cracking finish! 2-0
H-T: FC Bracknell 2 Mortimer Reserves 0
Mortimer came out at the start of the second half looking to get straight back into the game but the first chance of the half came to the home side, a free kick in a dangerous area just outside the box but it was blazed over the bar.
At the other end, there were shouts for a penalty after another pushing incident similar to the one given for the hosts, but the appeals were waved away by the official.
We had a slight delay to proceedings when a dog appeared on the pitch and obviously decided that would be the perfect time for a call of nature. After the mess was cleared the referee light heartedly showed the dog the red card, presumably for coming onto the pitch without the officials’ permission or possibly for fouling inside the box.
In the 74th minute Mortimer did force their way back into the game. A long ball over the top was picked up by Luke Roxburgh-Smith who ran into the area and fired across Cowie with the ball nestling in the far corner. 2-1
The visitors nearly levelled soon after, another great run and pull back from Roxburgh-Smith found Max Beacham, he couldn’t get a clean touch on it under pressure but got enough on it to send it towards the net only for a superb acrobatic clearance off the line by Bailey Gandolfi keeping the hosts in front.
Mortimer kept piling on the pressure with Leroy Clarke pulling the strings, he set Chase Jewell free with a lovely ball down the right but the shot was easily dealt with by Cowie. FC Bracknell came charging back winning a corner. This was swung into the six yard box and met by the head of Antonio Pitter and was seemingly destined for the top corner until a brilliant stop from Perrin clawed the ball away.
They then had the chance to close out the game after they were given a soft penalty. Bhatti again took the spot kick but too close to Perrin who saved but the referee ordered a retake after seeing encroachment into the area. There were some discussions over who was to take the retaken kick but Bhatti again lined up to take it, this time firing over the bar.
As is often the case, the miss came back to haunt the home side with Mortimer given a penalty of their own, right at the death, with the official adjudging there was a handball in the box as a cross went into the box. Mortimer captain James Croft took responsibility and fired home low into the bottom left corner. 2-2
F-T: FC Bracknell 2 Mortimer Reserves 2
Penalties followed and the hosts were soon up against it as Perrin saved their first two penalties. He did save a third but was deemed to have moved off his line by the referee (although video of the incident disputes this), the kick being retaken and scored. With the visitors ahead it was left to Andrew Clarke to win it and he coolly struck the ball left footed low to the keepers right and into the corner, with Mortimer winning 4-3 on penalties.
A cracking cup tie and had the pleasure of meeting some nice people from both sides. Charlee Bradbury, a talented local sports photographer, was also covering the match and you can check out her fantastic photo gallery by clicking the link below!
Andrew Batt was also photographing the game so to check out his gallery just click on the button below.