Baker snatches point for Town
Published 10 Mar 2011 12:30
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MARK Bartley believes Reading Town have enough quality to pull themselves clear of the relegation battle in the Hellenic Premier Division after they came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Bracknell Town on Tuesday.
As they did against Oxford City Nomads at the weekend, Reading trailed 2-0 at half-time but then scored twice in the second-half to snatch a valuable point.
Not only does the result boost Town's own survival hopes, but it prevents Bracknell from drawing level with them in the table, which they would have done if Aaron Baker hadn't found the net late on.
Bartley, who is captain of the team and caretaker boss alongside Marcus Richardson and Lawrence Kingsbury, believes the results against Bracknell and Oxford show the progress the team is making.
"We've got enough quality in the team to pull ourselves clear of the relegation battle and already things are starting to turn, the team has showed character and we're progressing," he said.
"Against Bracknell we were disappointed to concede the goals we did but we have to be pleased with a point at the end of the match."
Robins established a two-goal lead in the first-half and Adam Crittenden went close to making it 3-0 when he struck the crossbar after the break.
The visitors improved as the match went on though and Marcus Richardson halved the deficit before Baker scored in the last few minutes to salvage a point for Reading.
Up next for Town is a trip to Highworth Town this Saturday (3pm ko) and Bartley admits the first challenge will be to get through the early stages without conceding.
"They're a good side but if we can get through the first 15 minutes or so without letting in any goals then we can beat them," he said.
Last Saturday, Richardson and Danny Seaward were on the scoresheet as Reading came from 2-0 down against Oxford to draw 2-2.
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