Action from Emmbrook's 6-6 draw with Bagshot Road earlier this season.
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Second-placed Emmbrook look to Bag another win
By Adam LeeOctober 10, 2008
Emmbrook Inn and Bagshot Road meet for the second time already this season in the Bracknell Sunday League Premier Division this weekend.
Both teams, however, are confident that there won’t be a repeat of the season opener between the sides, which incredibly finished 6-6 after Bagshot let slip a 6-2 lead.
And Emmbrook, who have stormed to second in the table in their first season back in the top flight, are confident that their squad, which will be bolstered this weekend, is starting to find the belief that they can seriously
compete at this level.
Club secretary and reserve goalkeeper Craig Coleman, who insists the 6-6 game was certainly a one off, is confident his side can claim the points on Sunday.
“I can’t see it being the same again because both teams were missing vital players,” he said.
“It was a general game of calamities – not taking away some sublime finishing from both teams.
“I think we’ve got enough in the bank. We’ve got players coming back from injuries, suspension and holidays like Paul Davies our captain and John Digby the vice captain.
“Ian Murray should also be back starting this week.”
Coleman also believes that Emmbrook are now starting to show some confidence after some initial uncertainty about the league.
“People weren’t sure if they wanted to go up – we didn’t want to get thumped every week,” said Coleman.
“But the manager, Richard Scott, still hasn’t had the full squad to pick from so the guys have now realised that they have stepped up a league and can hold their own.”
Emmbrook will face a stern test on Sunday when they face last season’s third-placed team Bagshot Road.
Bagshot have suffered a stuttering start to the season.
Despite beating both last year’s double winners Atletico Priestwood in the league and one of Reading’s top sides Richfield Rovers in the Berks & Bucks Cup, Bagshot have suffered defeat to Bracknell Manics, as well as letting slip a four-goal lead to Emmbrook.
However, right-winger Brian Murphy says Bagshot are beginning to find their form and will take the points on Sunday, despite having their first choice striking partnership out.
“We’ll beat them,” he said.
“They’ve got a good striker in (Zak) Dimitrovsky, but I’d say we’ll beat them.
“We have our strikers Dan Chambers and Dan Lewendon out, but hopefully we’ll compensate.”
And although Murphy has been impressed by the standard of the division so far this season, he is sure that Bagshot will soon find their feet.
“It’s going to be tight this season,” he said.
“Every week we know we’ll have tough games, but all in all I think we have got the team to go on and challenge.”
Elsewhere, the last games of the Berks & Bucks Cup first round are played this weekend, with Division 1 and 2 teams in Junior Cup action.
The two all Division 1 games see Winkfield Sports host Wokingham Wanderers and FC Wokingham travel to Sunninghill Athletic, while Division 2’s FC Fernhill face struggling Keltar Old Boys of Division 1.
In the Intermediate Cup, Crowthorne and Wokingham United’s tie, scheduled for last week, is set to be replayed on Sunday.
In Division 2, Finch A have their work cut out against Woodley Hammers Res, while in Division 3, Finch B will be looking to end Keephatch Park’s 100-per-cent league record.
Leaders.co.uk have the chance to extend their fine form when they take on Muchachos Res, also in Division 3, while in Division 4, Bracknell Badgers will be looking to cause an upset at leaders Red Star.
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