This really was a potential banana skin averted as far as Kidlington FC are concerned, especially after visitors Bracknell basically bossed the first half of this game. What an improved side they now are under the guidance of Mark Tallentire and it was plain to see just why they have climbed right out of the relegation dog fight.

So onto the match and Kidlington were strangely lethargic as the game got underway and caught flat footed at the back after only 2 minutes play. A ball over the top put Adam Cornell away on goal, but as keeper Big Sam Warrell advanced from his goal the Bracknell forward shot well wide.

This was to become a reoccurring theme in this first half as the same thing happened again on 11 minutes. This time the Bracknall man chasing the ball down was Seb Bowerman, but this time the shot was on target and saved well by Warrell.

Bracknell were playing with a decent breeze at their backs and this was aiding their long balls forward as they attacked the clubhouse end in this 1st half.

We had to wait until the 15th minute before Kidlington finally stirred themselves into life. A move up field culminated in shot from Eric Odhiambo, but keeper Garry Aulsberry was alert to it and saved his shot whilst diving to his left.

In the 23rd minute Kiddy right back Lewis Brownhill was injured in a tough 50/50 challenge and after lengthy treatment had to be go off, Ben Weedon coming on to replace him.

Only a couple of minutes after this incident and Lewis Coyle who had been hobbling for a while also had to go off with Jack Quainton coming on to replace him.

A 36th minute corner nearly brought about something for Kidlington. Eric Odhiambo took it and Henry Owen met it with a powerful header, however keeper Aulsberry was equal to it as he clawed the ball away from just under the bar.

In the 42nd minute another ball over the top sent Cornell sprinting for goal, this time the strikers shot was on target but Sam Warrell got and arm to it and diverted it onto the post.

Less than a minute later and Kidlington had the lead. Eric Odhiambo played in Ryan Brooks and Brooksy does what Brooksy does best, he beat a couple of players before firing low and hard into the back of the net for 1 – 0. Some might say this was against the run of play but you have to take your chances when they are offered up!

This was the score at half time and a chance for Kidlington’s management staff to get things sorted, things that just weren’t happening as they usually do and put it right. It has to be said that this had been a very tough 45 minutes, basically as tough as Kidlington have had all season with Bracknell seemingly playing out of their skins, the question was could the visitors keep up that pace?

Well whatever was said at half time certainly seemed to be making a difference as after the re-start Kidlington looked a far sharper outfit after the break.

On 54 minutes Tommy Castle and Eric Odhiambo combined on the left with Castle crossing the ball into the centre of the 18 yard box, Jack Quainton was racing in but he couldn’t convert from some 14 yards out.

Kidlington were certainly getting on top now and it was Ryan Brooks who notched Kiddy’s second in the 61st minute. Brooksy was set free down the middle of the park, he rounded Aulsburry, but in doing so was pushed wide, the striker circled back around with the ball and even though Bracknell had men pouring back to defend he still stuck a bullet of a shot which arrowed into the net for 2 – 0.

In the build up to this goal Henry Owen had been injured and he went off to be replaced by Ben Willoughby.

Bracknell had battled hard but were tiring, just as many thought they would, and Kidlington now looked in complete control.
In the 74th minute only a brilliant save from the visitor’s keeper kept out a shot from Brooks, Aulsberry palming the ball over the bar.

In the 88th minute it was that man Brooks again, this time Tommy Castle crossed the ball in for him and he hammered a vicious shot but it flew just over the bar.

Not to be denied Brooks finally managed to complete his hat-trick in the 4th minute of added time. This again was a super strike after being put away down the centre of the pitch by a ball from Lewis Gabbidon. Brooks simply was on fire and as Aulsberry came out Brooksy fired past him for 3 – 0.

This was basically the last action of a very tough match between two sides who are on great runs at the moment. Bracknell may well look back at the 1st half and rue their many missed opportunities, but overall Kidlington were just too good for them as was reflected in the final result.

I thought the Referee Thomas Bert did well today under what at times was extreme duress from the away side and in particular their captain Carl Davies who were constantly in his face. Maybe a few more yellow cards rather than just the threat of them would have put pay to this?

Still, Kidlington marched on in front of another good crowd at Yarnton Road. Hopefully the injuries sustained are not bad ones and the players will soon be back fit and in the squad again, maybe as early as this Tuesday when we go again. Tuesday’s match is another home fixture this time against basement boys Wokingham & Emmbrooke, k.o. 7:45pm, and I’m sure Wilky will be guarding the players against complacency in this one.

COYG