On a blistering hot Sunday morning Bracknell Forest turned up for the start of 2012-2013 season hoping to show that they were favorites to land the Div 2 title. The organisation and mindset of players was at best the standard you would expect in a school playground at lunchtime. Late arrivals and lack of preparation was evident to the way this game would pan out.
Even before the whistle was blown it was The Prince who were looking like they wanted to prove a point and that they should not have been underestimated. Unfortunately they were helped by Forest thinking that their name had already been etched onto trophy.
Within 2 minutes Forest quickly had their eyes opened and conceded one of the softest goals that they will throughout the season. Whilst The Prince picked up the ball for a long thrown in Forest were still waking up and a sheer lack of concentration meant they were punished with the ball bouncing high over defenders heads and an unmarked header was tapped in at the far post. Bracknell Forest 0-1 Prince
Forest managed to open their eyes a little and began to realize that they were in a game. It didn’t last long before the petulance and arrogance kicked in. Rather than playing together as a team and proving the ability which is clear to see in the depth of the squad they were managing to put more effort into having a dig at each other and not at the opponents goal mouth.
The Prince continued with their work and were looking to capitalize on Forest's own mistakes with the midfield missing for large spells allowing Prince to dominate the opening exchanges with little pressure being applied.
Forest's defence had to dig deep to hold off a short spell of pressure. Finally Forest found a way through for Gary Lee to strike but to no avail with the keeper pulling off a save which stung his fingers. Forest new that that was the opportunity that should have had them level at the break.
Half time came and so did the much needed change in formation. Options were needed further up the pitch. 4-4-2 was the call for the second half.
Straight from the off the change took effect on the game. Forest finally seemed to be coming alive and it didn’t take long for an equalizer. A fine build up from the back found Richard Massingham in space who slid the ball into the feet of Stuart Kent to turn and fire into the bottom corner. Bracknell Forest 1-1 Prince
You could see the lift of frustration removed from the faces of the players. Was this a game they could go on and win???
Forest dominated the next 15 minutes and finally put pressure further up the field.
Bang!!! M.O.M performer Nick Matthew's half volley into the bottom corner from a whipped in Kevin Lee free kick that scrambled around the box and dropped kindly for a classy finish on the turn. Bracknell Forest 2-1 Prince
Forest were in the lead and in the ascendancy and looking at 3 points. Then the drama started again. The ball played by Prince down the line and Craig Sayers lunging in to a challenge which was untimely and borderline unwarranted. The ref took his time to decide on what card to pull and decided yellow would follow. Lucky escape.
Substitution made Sayers off for Saunders. Petulance and another yellow card quickly followed for the replacement. Comedy or Calamity? either way the ref wasn't finding the funny side of his card being rubbed on a gingers nut sack.
Substitution: Straight swap, Thain off for Wells.
Forest were hanging on and fell asleep with 10 minutes to go for a deep in swinger to be headed unmarked into the Forest net. Bracknell Forest 2-2 Prince
Time began to run down and Forest found a way into the box for Stuart Kent to be fouled in the area. PENALTY was the cry and penalty was the decision. Game over surely? The linesman flag shot up quicker than an AK47 for offside. Decision reversed, arguing commenced once more but this time directed towards the ref and dodgy decision!
The game stuttered to a finish with neither team causing either keeper many problems. The Prince being the happier of the teams for a point.
Maybe it was just the tonic for the kick up the back side that was needed for the next fixture at home to AFC Wokingham.
FT: Bracknell Forest 2 - 2 The Prince
