Bracknell brought the curtain down on a glorious season with a home game against Newbury & Thatcham, on the most glorious of spring days. Whilst this game would have no bearing on the final league position of either side (Bracknell, of course, on top of the league, and Newbury ensconced in mid-table)  the home team were determined to see out the season in style. Unfortunately for them, Newbury seemed equally keen to round out their season with a win, and the first half was consequently a stalemate, with the two sides trading attacks on goal, though neither team did enough to seriously trouble the goalkeepers.
The second half saw the sun beat down even hotter, and under the combined pressure of the weather and their opposition, Newbury wilted. Bracknell took an early lead thanks to Dave Mackinder, neatly tucking in from Steve Williams' short corner strike and soon doubled the lead thanks to another Williams strike, again from a short corner.
In their attempts to get back in the game, Newbury were presented with a golden opportunity to score. With their winger drawing in the Bracknell defence and cutting in to the goal-line, a low hard cross was met by a Newbury attacker. From barely five yards out the goal was gaping, and a simple tap in seemed all that was required. However, Tom Withey in the Bracknell goal reacted quickly from the near post to dive at the ball and pull off an incredible save at full stretch. As the Newbury forwards were wondering how they didn't score, Bracknell promptly went up the other end, and Pete Bailey scored. In just a few seconds Bracknell had put the game beyond Newbury.
In the continuing heat it was inevitable that the pace of the game would slow, however, Rob Badley was quick enough to set up Pete Bailey to score Bracknell's fourth and final goal.
Newbury had chances to get off the mark towards the end of the game, but failed to do so, and Bracknell saw the game out with another clean sheet. So ended the best season from a Bracknell side for many a year. It was a season which saw Bracknell win eighteen of their twenty two matches, and lose just once. They scored ninety-two goals and conceded just seventeen (or, an average of more than 4 goal scored, and fewer than one goal conceded per game). There wasn't a single team in the division that Bracknell didn't beat, with the majority of those sides beaten on a run which saw Bracknell win ten games in a row. Promotion was secured with three games still left to play, and the championship with only two games left. On only one occasion did Bracknell concede more than two goals in a game. The fact that three players reached double figures for goal scoring is testament to their attacking superiority.
It was indeed quite a season for this Bracknell team. They will look forward to more of the same next year in MBBO division six.

Bracknell enjoyed a visit to the ever sociable Meadhurst club for their final away game of the season. Lacking a full complement before the game, Bracknell called up Rob Badley to play on the left wing and make his second appearance at this level, but were otherwise able to field a full strength side.
Bracknell took the lead early on in the game, with both Dave Mackinder and Martyn Gessey scoring before Meadhurst has even got started. From that point on the result was never in doubt, though Meadhurst should be credited for continuing to carry the fight to Bracknell as keeper Tom Withey was forced into a number of saves.
When Bracknell added two more in the second half, courtesy of Ashley Holden, and Dave Mackinder (again) it looked as though the floogates would open, however, Meadhurst re-doubled their resolve to keep the score down. Indeed, Meadhurst were soon celebrating a goal of their own after a scrambled short corner was inelagantly defended by the visiting team.
Bracknell added one more goal in the closing stages as Dave Mackinder claimed his hat trick in contentious circumstances when he touched in Pete Bailey's goal bound shot (though Mackinder would later claim that the shot was going wide).
The final score was five one, a deserved victory for Bracknell.

Needing only a draw to seal the MBBO division seven title, Bracknell came up short against Oxford Hawks, suffering their first defeat of the season in a bitterly disappointing game for the home side.
Bracknell previously beat this opposition seven one, but on Saturday they faced a resurgent team who's recent good form has seen them lifted off the bottom of the table and almost safe from relegation. The game started with Bracknell playing pedestrian hockey, often failing to complete even a single pass, and Oxford set about the home side with a gusto belying their lowly position. Indeed, the performances of Oxford's players throughout the majority of this match would not have been out of place in a division several steps up from this one. Oxford soon took a deserved lead, and as Bracknell's profligacy continued the lead was quickly doubled to give the visitors a two nothing advantage at the break.
When Oxford made it three nil early in the second half effectively ending the game as a contest. Bracknell did rally once they were three nil down, but it was too little too late. Lawrence Lewis got Bracknell off the mark with a tidy strike, before Dave Mackinder scored in bizarre circumnstances: Claiming that a foul had been committed, Oxford's players stopped in anticipation of a whistle that never blew whilst the ball trickled over the line off Mackinder's stick.
Oxford were deserving of victory at the final whistle and condemned Bracknell to their first defeat. The league title is not yet wrapped up, so Bracknell will keep the champagne on ice.

STOP PRESS: Results not available at the time of writing the original report show that Henley managed only a draw in their match against Boyne Hill. This result confirms that, despite losing, Bracknell will finish top of the MBBO division seven table, with two games to spare.

Bracknell went into Saturday's game away to Amersham & Chalfont knowing that a win would secure their promotion from MBBO division seven. To help them in this task, Bracknell were aided by the addition of Rob Badley and Tom Scott, two youngsters from the Terriers. These two rotated up front in place of the absent Dave Mackinder but otherwise, Bracknell were at full strength.
Bracknell started well, with plenty of sharp accurate passing, but as neat as Bracknell were AC more than matched them for tenacity and as the game remained deadlocked, Bracknell looked increasingly ragged. That changed momentarily however when Martyn Gessey pumped the ball in to Pete Bailey in the Amersham D. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, Bailey beat his marker and turned to face goal in one smooth movement, and with the keeper charging down on him, Bracknell's striker lifted the ball up and over the diving keeper to give Bracknell the lead.
Bracknell persisted with their ragged style however AC could not take advantage, contriving to create just one chance in the remainder of the half which was easily dealt with by the keeper. The score remained one nil at half time.
Despite some uncharacteristically sloppy play in the second half, Bracknell increased their lead; Rob Badley started the move, receiving the ball wide on the right near the bye line. Badley advanced along the bye line towards the AC goal, drawing out the goal keeper and then cut the ball back to an unmarked Bailey who scored easily to make it two nil.
Despite the deficit, Amersham & Chalfont were far from finished and slowly ratcheted up the pressure on Bracknell. They finally made the breakthrough with a deep run from midfield, a quick pass and a simple tap in at the near post to pull a goal back. AC continued to pile forward in search of an equaliser, and at times, Bracknell's defence was overrun. With less than a minute on the clock AC won a free hit just outside the D. With the ball played quickly into the D a scramble ensued, providing AC with a gilt edged chance to score. Bracknell's goal keeper Tom Withey was up to the challenge though, and saved to deny AC their equaliser. The whistle blew five seconds later signifying that Bracknell had won, and with the victory, promotion. It will be MBBO division six hockey for Bracknell next year!

Saturday's MBBO division seven fixture saw Rover Oxford visit Birch Hill to play the division's leaders in what was expected  to be toughest game of Bracknell's run in. The game started with plenty of hustle and bustle as both sides sought to exert their physical presence on the game and a series of hefty challenges culminated in a green card for a Rover midfielder. However, threat of further sanctions did little dampen the fire in both sides bellies.
Bracknell had the better of the early chances, and soon took the lead after Richard Jones cleared a ball from defence where it was picked up on the half way line by Pete Bailey. Bailey beat the only two Rover players who were behind the ball at that point and raced into the rover D. Drawing the keeper out of goal, Bailey squared to new boy Callum Bulch, who converted from a yard out. One nil the score at half time.
The second half saw Bracknell confirm their superiority, adding two more goals without their own keeper being seriously challenged. Bracknell's second was scored by Pete Bailey, who swept the ball up and over a sprawling goalkeeper and it was Bailey who made the third when another piercing run into the D was finished with a neat pass to Bulch, who made no mistake. The game finished three nil, and the return of a clean sheet to the Bracknell side was just reward for their tireless efforts in defence. Ian Ellaway was particularly impressive at keeping the Rover forwards at bay, outshining even Bailey's attacking exploits.
Next week sees Bracknell travelling to Amersham & Chalfont, and with their two closest rivals playing each other, a win will guarantee promotion.

Bracknell laboured to victory in Saturday's MBBO division seven game away to Maidenhead Boyne Hill. As is typical of matches between these two sides, Bracknell spent large periods of the match camped in their opponents' half, but were time and again frustrated in their attempts to score. True, Bracknell did score four times, but only after having a barrage of possession and territory.
Bracknell opened the scoring midway through the first half when Adrian Plant converted a high ball at the near post and that goal was all Bracknell had to show for their efforts during that first period.
The second half was more eventful and the first notable action of the game saw Plant again convert in a similar style to his first goal to double the lead. Boyne Hill's response was swift; winning a short corner their routine was somewhat improvised but it was good enough to produce a goal as the ball was played back into the D leaving a forward, with his back to goal to deflect the ball past an unsighted goal keeper.
If Bracknell were worried at the stage, their concerns were eased at winning a penalty flick for a foul on the goal line which would otherwise have seen a Bracknell goal. Steve Williams calmly converted the flick to make the score three one. 
Late into the game, a fracas between Bracknell's Ashley Holden and his opposite number saw both players sent to the sin bin, but with the result already beyond doubt it did not have a serious effect on the outcome of the game. Indeed, with both teams down to ten men, Pete Bailey found space to convert Bracknell s fourth goal and seal the win.

It was a top of the table clash in MBBO league division seven as leaders Bracknell hosted second place West Hampstead in a game that represented the greatest threat to Bracknell's unbeaten record. The game began at a furious pace, and it was clear from the off that neither side were playing for a draw. In spells, Bracknell produced some of their best hockey of the season   a performance that was more than matched by West Hampstead. As the game ebbed and flowed Bracknell won a series of short corners, all of which saw Richard Jones striking firmly at goal, only to see the ball saved every time by the keeper.
Bracknell's patient build up contrasted with West Hampstead's counter attacking style in an absorbing contest and it was long before the deadlock was broken as West Hampstead contrived to give away another short corner. The ball was injected to Richard Jones yet again, but this time, finesse replaced brute force; instead of striking for goal, Jones played a tidy one-two with Martin Gessey, then flicked the ball into the top corner to give Bracknell the lead.
West Hampstead replied almost immediately after the re-start. Putting pressure on the Bracknell defence, West Hampstead forced John Dye into making an error, leaving an attacker free in the Bracknell D. An advancing Tom Withey in the Bracknell goal managed to get contact on the shot, but as the ball looped up off his leg pad, the keeper was left helpless as the ball then dropped agonisingly just inside the post. West Hampstead had equalized. 
The remainder of the half saw green cards dished out following several cynical stick tackles, from both sides.
The second half was much like the first as no single team dominated the game. Bracknell took the lead through Pete Bailey's swept shot crossing the goal line just underneath the cross bar. Bracknell soon had the ball in the net for a third time, thanks to Martin Gessey's strike, but the score was harshly dis-allowed, apparently for dangerous play.
Further stick tackles culminated in a yellow card for West Hampstead, but Bracknell couldn't capitalise and inevitably, when West Hampstead were restored to full strength they found an equaliser, shooting the ball between the keeper's legs from close range.
The game finished all square at two all, though Bracknell had the better of the chances and will perhaps feel they deserved to win. Either way, this was a pulsating game and a great advert for MBBO hockey.

Following the disappointment of last weeks draw with Eastcote, Bracknell were looking for an immediate return to winning ways in MBBO division seven. Their task was helped immeasurably by the return of key players Jonathon Dye, Ashley Holden and Lawrence Lewis, for this crunch game away to promotion rivals Henley. A win would see Bracknell move several steps closer to achieving their goal of promotion. Defeat would see them lose their unbeaten record, and most likely their position at the top of the table.
Henley looked the brighter team as the game started with their direct style proving to be problematic for Bracknell. When the away side did get the ball their passes often failed to find the intended target, but unlike last week, they did not allow frustration to get the better of them. Bracknell did eventually up their game to match Henley, and the two sides produced an end to end tussle with bags of excitement.
When the deadlock was broken, it was Henley who were celebrating. Good running off the ball allowed Henley s powerful striker to find space in the D, and he made no mistake with the strike, flicking the ball up just inside the far post of the Bracknell goal; a fine strike in keeping with the quality of the game. Despite the set back, Bracknell continued to play patient hockey. It was an approach that would reap dividends in the second half, but the first belonged to Henley and the score line remained one nil at half time.
Playing into a low sun, and with light sleet lit up like so many crystals as it fell through the pale sunlight, Bracknell pushed back to start the second period. The game continued to ebb and flow, with both goalkeepers tested. Short corners were won by both sides, but none were converted. That's not to say that one short corner didn't result in a goal. Only, the short corner was Henley's but the goal was Bracknell's: As Henley created a shooting chance from their short corner, the ball was saved by the feet of the away keeper. The save was powerful enough to send the ball to the half way line where Dave Mackinder was waiting to collect. With Henley's players massed at the other end of the pitch for their short corner, the break was on. Mackinder took the ball into the Henley D, all but unchallenged. Crossing to an unmarked John Brayshaw, the cross was converted into a goal. The match was tied once again.
Both sides continued to create chances with excellent play in a game that was quickly becoming a classic. Henley created a brilliant chance, playing in an unmarked striker from four yards out. The ball was heading for the top corner before being dramatically padded away by Tom Withey in the Bracknell goal. It was the one occasion when Richard Jones and Ian Ellaway allowed Henley a clear chance, but for the rest of the game their defending was excellent.
The winning goal came late on in the match. A goal line melee, eventually converted from a yard out by Dave Mackinder saw Bracknell jubilant and Henley downcast.
Although the game finished with a Bracknell victory, it could in truth have been won by either side, and a draw would not have been an unfair result. As it was, Bracknell's win moves them closer to promotion. Just four more wins from the remaining seven matches will guarantee division six hockey next season. 

Due to first team call ups depriving them of four key players, and other absentees, it was not until the morning of the game
that Bracknell managed to get eleven players together. It was no surprise then, that the ramshackle nature of the team selection conspired to create a flawed, disjointed performance from this Bracknell team. The game opened with Bracknell uncharacteristically mis-placing several passes, however they managed to string together a series of very good ones to create the first goal. Neat passing in midfiled found Steve Williams, playing in an unfamiliar right wing role. Williams cut in to the D, and hugging the byeline advanced towards the Eastcote goal. A neat cut back found Pete Bailey in space to tap the ball home from just two yards out.

Sadly, that goal was just about the only passage of fluid play Bracknell created throughout the entire game.It was perhaps no surprise then that Eastcote forced their way back into the match, when their deep lying centre forward was allowed to run unmarked into the Bracknell D. A defensive error allowed Eastcote to find that unmarked man, and he made no mistake from eight yards out. One all.The second half began in the same lackadaisical manner for Bracknell. Comical defending only seconds after the re-start let Eastcote into the Bracknell D with two men unmarked. Fortunately for Bracknell, this gilt edged chance was wasted.

Realising that victory would not be handed them on a plate, Bracknell began throwing men forward in search of a winner.However, Eastcote showed great character and resilience to deny Bracknell every time, and as the half wore on, frustration got the better of the home side and all their attacks were blunted.Bracknell have built up such a lead in MBBO division seven that one poor result should not mean the end of their promotion ambitions. However, their next two fixtures sees them come up against their two main rivals for the title. These matches will surely prove a stern test for Bracknell even with a full strength side. The consequences of fielding another weakened team could be disastrous for their season and it would be such a shame if a year of great promise were to end in

disappointment due to events off the field rather than on.

On the day that the six nations rugby competition, it was fitting that Bracknell won their match by a rugby score. However, despite the large scoreline, any casual observer would have been well advised to stick with the Ireland v Italy match, rather than the MBBO division seven game between South Bucks and Bracknell. A duller game than the one Bracknell played in on Saturday would be hard to imagine.
Bracknell started the game with the kind of mediocre hockey that was reminiscent of the earlier performance away to Newbury (which resulted in their only failure to win thus far). Bracknell's lethargic approach to the game, punctuated wih sloppy passing and a lack of movement off the ball was a million miles away from their usual standard. However, they still managed to score four goals against a far inferior opposition in a turgid first half.
The second half continued in the same fashion, although Bracknell did at least demonstrate one piece of class: Tom Mitchell, winning the ball in the centre of midfield, weighted a superb pass up the left wing for the onrunning Lawrence Lewis. Lewis beat three players on his way into the shooting circle before playing a neat one-two with Martin Gessey. Recieving the ball on the bye-line, Lewis put a first time cross in to Dave Mackinder at the far post, who merely had to get a stick on the ball to score from two yards. That wonderful ten second play was the only bright spot of an otherwise dreary match. Bracknell did actually net eight goals in the second half, making the final score twelve nil, but Lord! why couldn't they have done so in a more exciting fashion? For the record, the Bracknell scorers were as follows: A brace each for Steve Williams, Pete Bailey, Dave Mackinder and Lawrence Lewis, a goal apiece for Richard Jones, Tom Mitchell, Ian Ellaway and Ashley Holden.
The last time Bracknell scored eight goals in a single period of hockey was earlier this season when they faced Eastcote, the very same opponents who will be visiting Birch Hill next week. Let's hope for a more exciting game.

Bracknell's weather extended winter break finally ended with an MBBO open division seven home fixture against City of Oxford. The previous meeting between the two teams was a tight affair, with Bracknell eventually prevailing 2-1, and today's game was no different. Well, for the first twenty minutes at least. For it was then that Ashley Holden set up Pete Bailey, who promptly 'sent the ball into boomtown' and opened the scoring for Bracknell. The game remained a close affair however, and not until Steve Williams powerfully finished off a short corner could Bracknell breathe a little more easily. From thereon in Bracknell controlled the game and it was no surprise when Pete Bailey's second goal soon followed, and in doing so, brought up a half-century of Bracknell goals in this campaign. With that third goal the floodgates opened as first Steve Williams, Dave Mackinder and then Bailey again (his third hat-trick in as many games), netted in a five-minute flurry at
  the end of the half.
With the score line six nil at half time the game was all but over, and both teams knew it. Unsurprisingly, the second half was far more pedestrian, with two goals from Ashley Holden the only events of note. With the final score standing at eight nil, it would be easy to overlook the contribution that Bracknell's defence made to this game, but it shoulded be noted that for all their attacking intent, Bracknell's good defensive work prevented City from achieving a single shot at goal, rendering the Bracknell 'keeper a virtual spectator.

Bracknell's remaining pre-Christmas fixture marked the half way point in the league season. So it was then, that with the rest of the world Christmas shopping, Bracknell travelled to Oxford for a 4pm push back against Oxford Hawks. Top versus bottom in MBBO open division seven. With, over the course of ten league fixtures, the hosts possessing as many league points as Bracknell have dropped (just two), a one-sided game was expected. This match produced eight goals and greedy old Bracknell took seven of them.
That's not to say that Hawks didn't create their own chances. After Pete Bailey had secured an early hat-trick to give Bracknell a three nil lead, Hawks did force Bracknell keeper Withey into making a number of saves. However, all attacking attempts were unceremoniously denied, and the score remained three nothing at the interval.
With Bracknell eager to add to their tally in the second half they were guilty of several lapses to their usually fluid game play. Indeed, and quite bizarrely, as the half wore on and Bracknell did not get the deluge of goals they expected, frustration began to affect a number of Bracknell's players, expressed in a sometimes quite un-festive manner. However, when the gulf between the two sides is as large as it was on Saturday, the game rarely remains in a state of deadlock. In time, Bracknell doubled the lead to six nil, before Hawks rallied again and struck a well deserved consolation goal. Bracknell though managed to strike a seventh time to restore their six goal lead. The game finished with a seven one victory, with Pete Bailey notching five times. Richard Jones and Lawrence Lewis added a goal apiece. Despite the victory one gets the sense that Bracknell were unhappy with the way the game turned out, as Hawks refused to roll over like some of Bracknell's opponents have done in the past, and must be credited for the fight they showed.

Pete Bailey's hat trick lit up an otherwise dreary December afternoon as Bracknell put Amersham & Chalfont to the sword in this MBBO open division seven match up. This was Bracknell's seventh consecutive win, and the side played with the confidence that comes from winning. Bracknell's performance, much as in all games they play lately, was characteristic of a side which expects victory and achieves it seemingly effortlessly.
As early as the fifth minute Bracknell had AC on the ropes; a short corner routine which saw the ball zig-zag through their opponent's defence before Bailey applied the coup de grace at the far post.
From that point on the win never looked in doubt. True, Amersham did have their moments, but the threat their forwards offered was sporadic, and easily dealt with by the home defence. Before long the lead was doubled as John Brayshaw bagged the goal which his recent tireless performances up front deserved. Brayshaw picked the ball up outside the AC shooting circle, and breezing past two defenders, flicked the ball over the diving goalkeeper. Later in the half Pete Bailey grabbed his second to put Bracknell three nil up at half time, having only rarely moved up out of first gear.
As darkness fell over Birch Hill, Bracknell began the second half in determined manner and it wasn t long before Bailey claimed his hat-trick: Striking from around ten yards out, Bailey's first shot was saved, but he was quickest to the rebound to put away his third goal of the game. With Bracknell, assured of victory, slowing the pace of their game, AC had numerous chances on the counter-attack, but cool defending ensured the Bracknell keeper was untroubled.
So the game finished. Bracknell's remaining fixture before Christmas will see them travel to basement side Oxford Hawks, a game in which the league leaders will aim to make it to the New Year without a single league defeat.

Bracknell sought to re-affirm their promotion credentials with a trip to Rover Oxford, the division s  in form team. Rover s six match winning run eclipsed even Bracknell s good form, and the Oxford side represented a real threat to Bracknell s supremacy of MBBO division 7.
With two new faces in the side, one of whom was making his debut at this elevated level, Bracknell adopted a cautious approach. After settling into the game, confidence grew and Bracknell were efficient at distributing the ball on a quick pitch. This efficient passing approach soon found Matt Wakefield free in the D with the goal at his mercy and a sure strike from Wakefield saw Bracknell take the lead. Oxford continued to threaten so it was with great relief that Bracknell soon added a second; an intricate, though improvised, short corner play left Tom Mitchell with a simple tap in at the far post.
Oxford rallied to produce a couple of chances in response, but Bracknell coolly parried the threat. The game was put seemingly beyond Oxford when Bracknell won another short corner. This time the goal came quite unceremoniously as Oxford s defence left a gap on the goal line which made the Grand Canyon look like a mere pothole in comparison. It was simplicity itself for Steve Williams to push the ball through the gap to send Bracknell three goals to the good. Oxford replied with a goal on the stroke of half time to keep the game interesting; a clean hit from just inside the shooting circle leaving the Bracknell keeper helpless as the ball went in.
Having found his feet in the first half, debutant Lawrence Lewis was a colossal figure throughout the second half and Bracknell s confidence grew from Lewis s efforts. It was via the new player that Bracknell came close to scoring a fourth time. Good work on the right flank resulted in a cross which Lewis connected with but the ball went agonisingly against the post and out. As it turned out, it was Oxford that got the next goal; Bracknell s back four were left too flat, as a defensive error gifted Oxford the ball. With only the keeper to beat the goal followed to leave Oxford just one goal behind. For the first time in the game, Bracknell looked in serious difficulty. Bracknell s response was immediate however, as Ashley Holden drove forward with the ball to find Lawrence Lewis, and this time Lewis found the back of the net. The goal came within seconds of the push back and immediately sapped the confidence of the home side. The win was all but guaranteed.
The half continued without incident until the stroke of full time when Oxford s goalkeeper was sin-binned for kicking the ball when outside of the D. Bracknell could not convert the resulting short corner however, and the game finished 4-2.

Bracknell s opponents this week were Boyne Hill, a team they have met countless times in the past; almost every time coming away frustrated, and ultimately, defeated. Boyne Hill s strengths have always been their resolute defending in the face of all onslaughts and a devastating counter attack, a combination which has proved the undoing of many a team and Saturday s game was no different. However, Bracknell s experience against their old foe, and the confidence that comes from being top of the league, proved to be an irresistible combination.
As expected, Bracknell began the game playing their usual attacking, expansive game, whilst their opponents soaked up every attack like a sponge. In the past, frustration would have got the better of Bracknell and frustration would have led to simple errors, which would have led to a conceded goal. This time Bracknell were patient. When the direct route didn t work, the ball was recycled across the back four and attack was begun again. For Bracknell, used to moving the ball quickly and getting quick results, the process was almost tortuous, but it did, eventually, reap dividends: Pete Bailey, not for the first time this season, played a penetrating pass into the D, and Dave Mackinder lapped up the chance for his tenth goal of the season.
Boyne Hill had their moments, creating one clear cut chance that was put wide, but it was Bracknell that got the next goal. This time it was a case of provider turned goal scorer as Bailey doubled the lead.
The second half began much as the first ended, with Bracknell in search of more goals. Their efforts saw Sam Heaver strike at goal, only for the Boyne Hill defence to stop the ball, illegally, on the goal line. A penalty flick was given and Bailey stepped up. Alas, his flick beat the keeper, but was inches wide of the post.
Bracknell continued to toil in front of goal, and it was only when Mackinder supplied a pin point cross to Martyn Gessey, who finished with aplomb, that they were sure of the game. Boyne Hill s counter attack did produce a gilt edged chance for a consolation, but a goal was not forthcoming as Bracknell saw the game out with another clean sheet. Three nil it finished.

The top two teams of the MMBO division seven, both unbeaten and boasting the meanest defences in the league, met at hosts West Hampstead s north London home. As eagerly anticipated as the match was, any hopes of it becoming a classic were effectively neutralised by the weather, with driving rain and gale force winds, not to mention a pig of a pitch, conspiring to turn the match into a slog.
West Hampstead, winning the toss, elected to push back in the first half. The umpires whistle signalling the start of the game was followed by an onslaught of West Hampstead s white shirts barrelling forward in search of an immediate goal. Cool heads in the Bracknell defence withstood the pressure and as the game settled down Bracknell began to find their rhythm. There was to be no early breakthrough, however, as the two sides cancelled each other out.
Mid-way through the half Bracknell looked in serious danger of handing an advantage to their opponents as Matt Wakefield sustained a severe injury to the knee from a West Hampstead stick. Treatment was required, and, with Bracknell short of substitutes, Wakefield heroically battled on. The resolve shown by Bracknell s left back infected the rest of the team and the deadlock was soon broken; Martyn Gessey looked up from centre midfield to see Dave Mackinder making a run to the West Hampstead goal. A beautifully weighted through ball from Gessey followed and as Mackinder and the goalkeeper converged on the ball, it was the Bracknell striker who bravely got there first. As Mackinder and keeper went down in a heap, the ball trickled over the line to give Bracknell the advantage. The half time whistle soon followed.
As the tempestuous weather continued on to the second half, so did Bracknell s battling spirit. West Hampstead turned up the pressure after the break but were met by Richard Jones and Ian Ellaway, both colossal in central defence. Their efforts restricted West Hampstead to three tame efforts at goal, easily parried away by the Bracknell goalie. Meanwhile Sam Heaver was tireless in an unfamiliar centre midfield role. As Bracknell soaked up the pressure (and the North London weather with it) they sought to respond to their host s offensive manoeuvres. They did so in fine style with Dave Mackinder once again applying a cool finish which effectively sealed victory. Bracknell did in the end go down to ten men as Wakefield s injury finally got the better of him, but it was by then too late for West Hampstead to do anything about it, and Bracknell saw out the game with their goal preserved. 
This fine win sees Bracknell move three points clear at the top of the table, and having played a majority of teams in the division, it will surely only be a matter of time before the words  Bracknell  and  promotion  are mentioned in the same breath.

On the day that David Haye and Nikolay Valuev went toe toe in a boxing ring in Nuremberg, two heavyweights of the MBBO seventh division squared up on a hockey pitch in Bracknell. Henley were the visitors for this 2nd v 3rd encounter, prior to which both teams were undefeated.
Bracknell struck the first blow, as Steve Williams opened the scoring from a short corner, a powerful hit evading the Henley keeper. Bracknell were industrious in their approach to the game but were made to work hard by a counter-attacking Henley team. The next blow was however landed by Bracknell: a pacey cross into the attacking circle was met by Pete Bailey, who with a sweep and flourish of stick, lofted the ball high into the Henley net.
Bracknell continued to work hard as Henley toiled up front. As the half wore on Henley produced a great chance. An aerial pass eluded Bracknell's defence and left a Henley striker through on goal and one on one with the keeper. Tom Withey did enough in goal to hold the play up whilst his back line could come to the rescue. Desperate defending kept Bracknell's goal intact. The last significant act of the half saw Bracknell go three up with a predatory strike from Dave Mackinder, to put the game almost out of reach.
With a three goal deficit, it was inevitable that Henley would attack aggressively in the second period. For large parts of the game Bracknell were pinned inside their own half, but only rarely was the Bracknell goal threatened. The home side were content to sit deep and allowed Henley to come at them, soaking up the pressure every time. Bracknell were now the counter-attacking side and as Henley surged forward in search of a goal, Ashley Holden won the ball well inside his own half before careering up the field. A neat pass to Pete Bailey culminated in another Bracknell goal as Bailey swept the ball into the Henley net with a neat stroke which is quickly becoming his trade mark. Game over. Henley scored a late consolation, but by then it was too little too late. Four one it finished.

Following last week's non event, Bracknell looked to regain momentum with a potentially tricky visit to Eastcote.
Experience has taught Bracknell not to take Eastcote lightly and they set about their opponents with purposeful resolve. The perfomance was a world away from the previous game's dirge at Newbury and the deadlock was soon broken with a goal from Dave Mackinder (who else?). Steve Williams doubled the lead with a Captain's strike following a short corner. Bracknell were nearly made to pay for resting on their laurels late in the half, as Eastcote rallied to win a string of short corners. Only resolute defending from Adrian Plant and Ashley Holden, stepping up from the third team, kept Eastcote at bay. Two nil at half time.
Bracknell were wary of Eastcote's threat as the second half began, but their worries were soon eased with a quick Bracknell goal followed up by another to double the lead in a short space of time. The goals dispirited Eastcote's defence and as attacks rained down on the hosts' goal, Bracknell's strikers greedily took chance after chance. When the full time whistle had blown, Bracknell had scored ten goals. Dave Mackinder notched three times, Steve Williams two and Pete Bailey and Ashley Holden weighed in with a goal apiece. Sam Heaver claimed a deserved hat-trick, demonstrating that when fully focussed on the game, with energy levels to match, he can hurt even the strongest defence. Goalkeeper Tom Withey made a save late on to maintain Bracknell's excellent defensive record.
The triumphant performance must surely act as a fillip for Bracknell as they go into their next two fixtures against their rivals in the top three of the league.

Bracknell was awarded the walkover as south Bucks could not get a team together.

Bracknell's winning run came to a shuddering halt with this trip to Newbury and Thatcham. The first twenty minutes of the match saw Bracknell out-thought, out-fought, and out-played as an inability to play the ball wide, and a chronic lack of composure when in possession saw Bracknell give away two goals. The whole team, from goalkeeper to strikers played as though they were strangers whilst Newbury and Thatcham took gleeful advantage.
The two goal deficit shocked Bracknell into playing a semblance of decent hockey and Dave Mackinder quickly replied with a typically predatory goal. Bracknell's hopes raised. With the goal came self-confidence which saw the standard of play improve and Bracknell had the ball in the net again at the end of the half. However, the umpire had already blown up for a short corner before the ball crossed the line. As the half time whistle blew, with the short not yet taken, all outfield players piled on to the edge of the Newbury D. They weren't needed. The ball was pumped in to Richard Jones who coolly advanced with the ball and fired home the equaliser. Two- two at half time.
The second half saw Bracknell improve and set about their opposition with gusto in search of a winner. Bracknell came close several times, being denied by the woodwork on two occasions, however a goal was not forthcoming and the score remained tied.
The draw was a huge disappointment for the team, however they can take consolation from the way they forced themselves back into the game.

A sunny Oxford Brooks University gave the mighty Bracknell 2s a chance to continue their unbeaten streak....which they did! 
Bracknell owned the pitch in the first half and quickly took the lead after Martin Gessey drilled the ball into the D for Pete Bailey to send it high into the net past a stranded keeper. Bracknell continued to press and did well to force a penalty flick after an Oxford player stopped the ball on the line with his foot. Gessey calmly put away the flick with awesome precision. The rest of the half continued in much the same fashion with chances for Dave Mackinder and Sam Heaver, one coming straight back off the post. Bracknell were also awarded a second flick which Gessey narrowly put wide past the post. A green card for Bailey was a sign of things to come in the second half.
After the restart Oxford came out strongly putting Bracknell under an immense amount of pressure. Ian Wilson, Ash Holden, Richard Jones and Ian Ellaway did superbly well in the absence of Captain SteveWilliams in keeping wave after wave of Oxford attacks at bay. However after some unfortunate decisions going against Bracknell, Oxford pulled one back under controversial circumstances. Much of the second half was played with ten men as Tom Mitchell and Richard Jones both received harsh yellow cards. The game could not finish soon enough for Bracknell as Goalie Tom Withey kept the team in it and the score at 2   1 with some crucial saves. 
Another brilliant result for Bracknell 2s, next week...Newbury & Thatcham.

Nothing worth doing in life is ever easy, as Bracknell discovered in their opening league fixture against Meadhurst. Yes, the four nil scoreline suggests a comprehensive victory, but in truth the game was much tighter and demanded much of the home side.
Bracknell controlled the first ten minutes of the match, displaying the confident expansive approach which characterised their play in the previous week's fixture. However, no goals were forthcoming and inevitably, Meadhurst forced their way into the picture and created a number of chances for themselves, all of which were successfully defended, but emphasised the danger presented by the opposition forwards.
The deadlock was broken late in the first half with a bizarre goal from Dave Mackinder. His first time shot, from a few yards out bounced fully six inches wide of the post, before turning back into the goal, leaving the Meadhurst goalkeeper, like Mike Gatting after Shane Warne's 'ball of the century' to stare helplessly at the spot where the ball pitched.
In the second half Meadhust rallied, and piled forward in pursuit of a goal to put Bracknell under severe pressure at the back. Alas, their efforts were in vain as a combination of defence and goalkeeper denied them time after time. Pressure was finally relieved after a fine solo goal from Tom Mitchell. A long, jinking powerful run into the D culminating in a crashing shot to send Bracknell two to the good, and break Meadhurst's stubborn resistance.
Two late goals from Pete Bailey and Dave Mackinder gave the scoreline a flattering appearance, but Bracknell should know that they almost got their noses bloodied in this game. If success is to be gained in this year's league campaign, Bracknell now know, if they didn't before, that it will not be easy.

Bracknell were forced to wait for 45 minutes after the scheduled start time before this match could eventually get under way. The evening shadows were lengthening over a pitch which, due to a superfluity of sand, bore more comparisons to a beach than a hockey field, by the time Bracknell pushed back.
Despite the late start Bracknell set about their opponents with style. From the very start the gulf in class was evident, and it was (in some cases
literally) men against boys. That Bracknell were only two goals to the good at half time owed more to the outstanding performance of the Ashford goalkeeper than any lack of urgency from the visitors. With their own keeper a virtual spectator Bracknell dominated possession, and barely moved out of first gear to take the advantage at half time. If Bracknell were merely toying with their opponents in the first half, in the second, they went for the kill.
Sweeping movements in which the ball was passed with ease from left flank to right, from one end of the pitch to another and back again and producing five second half goals were testament to the ability of this side. It seems churlish, given the totality of this victory to single out individual players by naming the goal scorers.
This victory completed Bracknell's pre-season fixtures, and left them with a record of three wins out of three. If they can enter the regular season with the spirit of pre-season then the weeks ahead promise to bear much fruit.

Bracknell 2s continued their winning start to pre-season with a lively win over Wallingford 3s. On a hot afternoon Bracknell started at a high tempo moving the ball well throughout the pitch. Tom Mitchell and Andrew Badley fought hard to keep Wallingford at bay in the centre of the field. After falling behind against the run of play Martin Gessey, Sam Heaver and Dave Mackinder linked up beautifully for Mackinder to level up the scores with a dainty chip over the keeper. 
Bracknell fell behind again shortly after the restart but with their half time team talk still in their minds Sam Heaver fired in from just inside the D with a scorching effort to pull one back. Bracknell keeper Tom Withey did enough to put off a Wallingford striker from the spot before Bracknell took the lead after a well worked short corner; Richard Jones held the ball excellently to draw in the defenders before slipping the ball to Pete Bailey who fired home with relative ease.
Due to a few odd stick tackles flying in here and there the umpires gave their warning to the teams before Bailey was adjudged to have made the same mistake again and was shown a yellow card. With five minutes to go this left Bracknell under pressure, great play from Steve Williams, John Dye, Ian Ellaway and Richard Jones kept out a Wallingford fight back  with majestic saves from man of the match Withey between the sticks, however rumours of him texting his missus during the match were quickly quashed after the game.
Another great and well deserved team performance, one which will stand them in good stead for next week s trip to Ashford.

The second team began their pre-season fixtures with a trip to Henley. Just six members of last season's squad were included in the starting line up, the remainder being promoted from the lower ranks, and the new faces contributed three of Bracknell's five goals: Richard Jones, Pete Bailey and Sam Heaver all notching. A brace from Dave Mackinder completed the scoring. The mantra for pre-season friendlies is always 'performance is better than results' and new captain Steve Williams must surely have been impressed with this one.