Andover Town1–1○FC Bracknell

It's been a long time ......

Tuesday saw a welcome return to proper footie after the shenanigans of the world cup. So a quick pick up of Blue Army Alan and a quick catch up on the way to Fortress Portway for a pre-season friendly kick off 7.45. Arrival secured and greeted by Gary the Gateman so another catch up ensued. Gary thus introduced me to new assistant manager Kieran Wilson (good luck fella) hands shaken and a “couldn’t wait for your match report to read about Jobless” , so after telling Jobless she has been walking round like royalty. Thanks Kieran doing a good job so far ! In this heat the Editor has been explaining to me how the garden needs watering and now that I understand I had the job lucky me. Apparently my Sister’s youngest lad set fire to 3 fence panels at their house with the Editor muttering “got to run in the family”.

After a few words with Owen we made our way round the pitch stopping to speak with Son of Crouch said be alright to play in a few weeks hopefully be able to carry on his form from last season. After getting settled and a chat with the keeper we’re off…….to the other end of the pitch, thanks

Owen good job with the toss. The next subject is THAT KIT why we wearing the black & white away kit ? I have spoken on this subject obviously my words have not been heeded. Still it was only a friendly. Play began with a town back pass - after getting it together Town started to look good, really good especially down the right giving the Bracknell left back an absolute torrid time you’ll have to forgive me not doing the team sheet (good start to the season-Ed.) but reckon it was Darnell Tarley with good foot work and a turn of speed in tandem with player X (got out of that one-Ed.) tearing up the left back In midfield the normal battle royale was so one sided in Town’s favour; it was ridiculous with every loose and second ball finding a Town player. The crosses from our right came in at will in every variety, for 25 minutes the Bracknell keeper pulled off a string of fine saves and the footie gods with him seeing the ball go wide or over. All that finished in the 26th minute with a fine bit of passing seeing the ball slide home. Town were 1 nil up looked good for it ? Really should have been 4 or 5 still maybe the floodgates would open. Play resumed in much the same fashion when halfway through the half at 35min the ref called a drinks break. Both teams giving instructions with Darnell switched to the left. Immediately the pressure to Bracknell’s left back was gone and Bracknell started to make a game of it with their first attack seeing a long range effort go just wide. Town didn’t really make any head way and Bracknell just found a solid defence.

Half Time 1 nil Town

Second half changes made, Luke Holden went off with a couple more, on came a whippet. Bracknell must have been thinking wish they hadn’t come they had some units at the back and this lad was running circles round them I don’t know his position seemed to be everywhere. On the whole chances made, chances spurned Luke back on and chipped over the bar, again the Bracknell keeper making some fine saves. When suddenly me and Alan became too confident saying we could get our first win in this kit on 88mins it was a fair bet since we had a corner. Bracknell player asked how long the ref signalled - 2 mins, corner well taken Bracknell cleared and fair flew down the pitch a shot saved and came out to one of our defenders with no one around to pass to hung on instead of hoofing it, got caught and Bracknell had scored. 1-1. Kick off then the final whistle. Is that kit cursed ?

Overall a cracking game so much so it’s squashies Saturday lads. I thought we looked a good side with positive signs for the season, so here’s hoping.

Well thanks for reading

As always thanks to Editor

See you all Saturday

Martyn