After 2 defeats against Finchampstead last season Forest knew they would be tested today. Currently sitting top of the league & into the semi finals of the Junior Cup this game would really show how far Forest have come since the turn of the year.

Forest started the game superbly & it wasn't long until they took the lead. Dan Pawson found himself in behind the defence after a Stefan Davis Free Kick was nodded on by Michael Bertoux. Pawson kept his composure & with his supposedly 'weaker' foot slotted past the keeper into the far corner.

It wasn't long before Finch found their rhythm & they came close to levelling after a Dan Marles free kick hit the crossbar & Forest Keeper Brady cleared the rebound off the line.

Finch eventually equalised with another superb free kick. Striker Dan Marles saw his free kick hit the back of the net after striking the post.

With half time fast approaching Forest pushed for a goal to retain their lead. After losing possession deep in the Finch half - finch countered excellently & after some great football the right sided midfielder tucked home his chance after Brady made the initial save.

HT Finchampstead 2-1 Bracknell Forest

After a handful of changes Forest knew they had a tough task ahead of them.

This task was made more difficult after Left Back Kelley saw red after a bit of a tussle with the opposition.

Despite the red card Forest produced one of their best displays of the season & after waves of attack Lawrence pulled them level. Some good offensive work by Davis won Forest a corner & Bertoux whipped in the corner to get his 2nd assist of the day after Lawrence headed home.

Forest had a penalty appeal turned down after Finch CB Longstaff took Pawson down in the box - referee said no foul was committed.

FT Finchampstead Athletic B 2-2 Bracknell Forest

Hear is what both managers had to say about the game:

Golding:
Bright start, great early goal. Well worked. Sloppy 25 minutes. Got into HT and regrouped, changed the team to sure up the back line. Positive second half but obviously the red card hit our momentum but again we regrouped and controlled the game with 10 men polly had very little to do. Almost nicked it but happy with a point away from home. Outstanding performances from both Mike and Dan

Brady:
I think today was very good all round, our start was fantastic, we got at them and hassled them in groups, when we had the ball we looked dangerous and was playing some great football at times, going in at half time 2-1 was an injustice as we had been the better team. Second half couldn't of got off to a worse start with the red card so early on, but the lads regathered themselves and dug in, anyone looking from the sidelines would not have thought we had a man less cause we were still playing the better football so much so that I had nothing to do in the second half other than come and claim some loose balls and we were unlucky not to nick a win. I thought Mike had an absolute stormer in the middle and Stefan bossed their main man, Debutant Markoss had a solid game so will be great to see that keep up. I think we shocked them with our intensity and didn't like our physical approach, but it worked and that's what we wanted to achieve.

Forest are at home this week as they host Camberley Athletic in the last 16 of the Aldershot Cup.