Here's how Jeffsy the Bracknell Barmy Army drummer saw the game:

ROSS CROSSES THE PICKETT LINE TO STRIKE FOR WALTON

Monday 26 August, Ryman League Division 1 (South)

Bracknell Town 0 - 1 Walton and Hersham

A Ross Pickett strike in the 75th minute condemned The Robins to their third defeat in four games on a dull Bank Holiday afternoon. The Walton striker was on hand to crash an unstoppable volley past Martin Hutt after the ball had rebounded back off the crossbar.

In a dour encounter of few chances that neither team deserved to win, the visitors forced the early pace and after 12 minutes Paul Harkness broke down the left wing and crossed for Richard Newberry who saw his acrobatic left-foot scissor kick sail straight into Hutt's arms. After 18 minutes, a flowing move saw defender Dolan find Harkness in midfield. Harkness held the ball well before returning the ball to the advancing Dolan and his dangerous return to Harkness was superbly cut out by Hammonds.

The Robins first chance of the half fell to James Glynn following a short spell of pressure but his 25 yard effort sailed way over former Woking 'keeper Laurence Batty's crossbar. However, Walton surged forward again and Newberry skipped past Hammonds on the right wing before being brought down. The resulting free kick was curled in dangerously by Fennell but an unmarked Harkness could only head over when well placed at the far post.

Bracknell's best chance of the game fell to makeshift striker Gavin Smith after half an hour. In-form defender Neil Baker's long ball left Laurence Batty in no-man's land after his indecision but Smith could not steer the ball over him from a tight angle. Three minutes later, the same Walton combination involving Newberry and Harkness saw the latter's header well defended at the far post. Harkness almost scored a minute later when he broke through the defence but saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.

After 35 minutes, Teague broke down the left wing and was fouled as he cut inside the defender. Paul Harford played the resulting free kick short to Neil Baker and his low drive was well held by Batty. However, Bracknell's defensive frailties were exposed again in the 40th minute when Fennell's long ball caused confusion between Hammonds and Hutt before Hammonds headed behind for another Walton corner. Bracknell won possession from the set piece and a quick counter attack saw Teague find Glynn but yet another ineffective long range effort failed to force a save from Batty.

On the stroke of half time, Harford's corner was headed by an unmarked Hammonds straight into Batty's arms before the referee blew his whistle to put all supporters out of their temporary misery.

Half Time: Bracknell Town 0 - 0 Walton and Hersham

A dreadful second half of little incident, other than subsitutions and The Barmy Army's incessant drumbeat, saw Glynn replaced by Yee in the 67th minute amid a string of Bracknell long balls that failed to trouble Walton's well marshalled defence.

In the 70th minute, Bracknell lost possession and Walton broke dwon the left wing. Dolan's superb cross was excellently claimed by Hutt who almost knocked out striker Newberry in the process. A minute later, Dolan's hopeful ball in was somehow sliced across his own goal and behind for a corner by midfielder Harford. Harford has yet to settle in the red and white shirts but was the only player who attempted to spread the ball around for The Robins in a good second half performance for the big midfielder.

On 75 minutes and following a good spell of Walton pressure, Lee O'Donnell saw his 25 yard strike deflect onto the top of the cross bar. With Hutt scrambling for position, Pickett was first to the rebound and his unstoppable 15 yard volley almost burst the back of the net to the delight of the small band of travelling fans.

In an attempt to force an equaliser, manager Taylor replaced Teague with Sargeant but Walton continued to press forward and both Pickett and Newberry wasted chances to seal the victory.

An 83rd minute Bracknell free kick by Harford was played short to Baker but his drive was deflected over for a corer that was easily defender and 2 minutes later Gavin Smith wasted a half chance to equalise when failing to get any of his 2 attempts on target following an excellent Edwards cross.

With 2 minutes remaining, Batty preserved Walton's lead with an excellent save when he tipped Baker's low drive wide for a corner at full stretch following good interchange between Harford and Stuart Harte.

As Bracknell pushed men upfield, Walton should have doubled their advantage in the 4th minute of injury time but as substitute Rose rounded Hutt when 30 yards off his line, he somehow managed to scuff his shot off an unguarded target.

The Robins will need to find inspiration from somewhere if they are to avoid the potential FA Cup banana skin that lies in wait at Sussex County League Pagham next Sunday.

Final Score: Bracknell Town 0 - 1 Walton and Hersham