BOBBY’S ROBINS READY TO SOAR!

Bracknell aiming to maintain their title momentum

By Matt Badcock Southern Premier South

SEALED WITH A KISS: Bobby Wilkinson and his Bracknell Town side, below, celebrate last season’s title success

BRACKNELL TOWN boss Bobby Wilkinson says the Robins are ready to rock in their big Step 3 challenge.

The Pitching In Southern Premier South new boys cruised to the Isthmian Division One South Central title last season finishing 20 points clear at the top of the pile.

They also boasted the best defence around with a remarkable 12 goals conceded as they suffered just two defeats in the league.

It was another promotion on the CV of boss Wilkinson, who previously took Hungerford from Step 4 to the National League South, and he’s determined they tackle their new surroundings head on.

Demanding

“We’re looking forward to the challenge – and it’s going to be a challenge,”

Wilkinson told The NLP.

“It’s going to be the first time in a long time we’re the underdogs. I’ve got no issue with that. We’ve worked hard to build a new group of players, they are young and hungry. We’re going into the unknown a little bit. That can be daunting but we’re going to see how we get on and go from there.

“I had a conversation the other day with someone, who said, ‘How do you want to start?’ But it’s never how you start, it’s how you finish.

Twice at this level I didn’t get a point in the first five games!

“I’m staying relaxed and trying to continue our success from last year. We know it’s going to be more demanding and tougher – we know all this. It’s a difficult league.”

An opening day trip to last season’s play-off finishers Weston-super-Mare illustrates that but Wilkinson believes it’s the perfect way to kick-off.

“We also have Chesham in the first five games, we go away to Tiverton – who battered us last season at home – and away to Merthyr,” Wilkinson said. “So we’ve got a really tough set of opening games with travel, experience, two teams pushing for promotion last year and I am absolutely buzzing with these games.

“Because we’ll know straight away. Are we good enough? Are we short? Do we need to work on this or that?

That’s the challenge. Can we adapt to every situation?

“Every single week is a challenge. The travelling, fitness, preparation, cool downs – that’s all in your own hands.

As long as we do that properly and give us every opportunity to work hard and prepare properly for each game, we will be ok. I don’t know where we’re going to end up, but as long as I do that every week, as manager, I will be happy.”

Physical

While keeping hold of highly-rated Seb Bowerman – who won The Step 3/4 Player of the Year at The NLP’s National Game Awards – is a boost, Wilkinson has drafted in nine new players, all from Step 4 or below, who he believes can push the club forward again.

“I didn’t want to dwell on last year – Ididn’t want us to get complacent,” Wilkinson said. “This is a tough, hard, physical league. I had to change what I thought was right. If we’ve got it wrong and it doesn’t work, we’ll make sure we get it right.”

Last season’s beaten playoff finalists Hayes & Yeading have seen Francis Amartey leave for Aldershot Town but they have been able to keep hold of top scorer Moses Emmanuel. They face an intriguing opener with Met Police, beaten by Hayes’ final conquerors Farnborough in the play-off semi.

Gosport Borough are expected to challenge and kickoff with reprieved Merthyr Town, while new boys Plymouth Parkway host hopefuls Chesham United and promoted North Leigh take on Dorchester Town.