KENSLEY Maloney marked his return to Bracknell Town with an impressive display in their 5-1 win at Staines on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

The midfielder left in the close season to join Southern League Premier Division South Harrow Borough, but he returned last week in time to play at Wheatsheaf Lane.

The Robins were far too strong for the struggling Swans – who are now winless in 10 league games – and were only denied a much bigger victory by keeper Jacob Adams, who pulled off a string of outstanding saves.

With Mark Tallentire and Aaron Steadman in charge of the team for the second time, the visitors found themselves a goal down after four minutes when Joey Taylor's free-kick from near the touchline found its way into the net.

But there was an instant response, as in the 11th minute Robb Sheridan met a long cross from Dan Bayliss with a half-volley which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

"The reaction from us was first class," said Tallentire. "It was good character from the team to drag themselves back after falling behind early on."

Town took the lead after 18 minutes when Maloney put Seb Bowerman in the clear and he placed the ball under Adams from close range.

Six minutes later, Bowerman turned provider, cutting the ball back for Dan Carr to drive a left-footed shot low into the net.

There was now no stopping the Robins with Bayliss and Sheridan both going close before Bowerman, receiving a superb crossfield pass from Maloney, curled a shot onto the top of the bar with Adams beaten.

The keeper then pulled off a top-quality save to thwart Minhas and, had it not been for Adams, Bracknell would have gone in with a much bigger lead.

But six minutes into the second half it became 4-1 thanks to Bowerman's wind-assisted free-kick, which caught out Adams, and the fifth goal came on 63 minutes courtesy of a far-post header from defender Bayliss.

"It was a really good performance from us over the 90 minutes," commented Tallentire.

Late in the game, Town sent on substitute Bradley Farren, who earlier in the week had scored twice for Bracknell Under 18s when they defeated Staines 5-1 in the Isthmian League Youth Cup.

"He did okay and certainly didn't look out of place," said Tallentire about the 17-year-old striker, who could keep his place in the squad for the Velocity Trophy tie against Chalfont St Peter at Larges Lane tonight (Wednesday,7.45pm).

Steve Peters, the Bracknell Academy director, commented: "Our academy is looking very strong right now, with a plethora of talented players and to offer the pathway into the first team is crucial for our long-term strategy as a club."

With four wins out of four, Robins have already won Group Five to qualify for the knock-out stage, where the 22 Premier Division clubs come into the competition.

They are home to Waltham Abbey in the league this coming Saturday before playing Chalfont again, this time away, in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup next Tuesday.