Wokingham & Emmbrook 2, Chalfont St Peter 0
Two second half goals from Richard Bland were enough for Wokingham & Emmbrook to beat last season's F.A. Vase semi finalists Chalfont St Peter at Cantley Park on Saturday.
The Buckinghamshire club arrived at Cantley with a very strong squad, nine regular first team players plus trialists. Wokingham started impressively, knocking the ball around confidently. A throw out on the right saw James Wise take the ball in his stride before firing high over the bar from 20 yards out. Wokingham suffered a set back in only the 4th minute when keeper Stuart Harris limped out of the action with an injury just below the knee. With no replacement keeper on the bench, Central Defender Jack Broome was forced to don the jersey and a fine job he made of it, producing the save of the game midway through the half. Several times in the opening half, Wokingham got themselves into good positions but failed to take advantage. A Sam Duffle cross just failed to pick out the incoming Wise. At the other end a mistake by Shaun Wanly let in Luke Brook-Smith, his well struck shot looked to be arrowing into the top corner, but Broome produced a great save to concede the corner at full stretch, punching the ball to safety. The best chance of the half fell to the home side. After a slick move on the edge of the area, the ball was played out to Andre Stairmand who from close in fired weakly straight into Chalfont keeper Mark Oliver's hands. As the interval approached both Wise and Bland saw shots charged down.
Acting Manager Roger Herridge, standing in for the holidaying Wayne Wanklyn made four changes during the interval. Chris Byrne, Jose Gomes, Alex Luis and Steve Tranter replaced Richard Pilcher, Stairmand, Wise and Wanklyn. The changes didn't prevent Wokingham carrying on from their first half performance. The busy Billy Elgar connected with a Bland corner, meeting it first time he fired wide. A mistake by Alan Hedley presented the Cantley Park side with the lead on the hour. Bland gained possession before racing in on goal before slotting home from close in. Five minutes later it was two nil when a Steve Tranter's cross fell to Bland again, this time he evaded a couple of challenges to slot under the diving keeper. Bland almost went on the complete a hatrick but Keeper Oliver forced him wide of the target. So another good work out and this time a deserved victory.
Next Saturday Wokingham & Emmbrook face Ash Utd in another friendly at Cantley Park. Kick Off 3 00pm before travelling to Hartley Wintney on the Monday evening Kick Off 7 00pm.
Squad: Harris, Lee, Wanklyn, Thorne, Pilcher, Stairmand, Elgar, Blanchard, Duffellen, Bland, Wise.
Subs all used : Luis, Gomez, Tranter, Broome, Byrne.