Hellenic League Blue Fin Challenge Cup – Preliminary Round
Saturday 31st October 2009
WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK 3 HOOK NORTON 0
Hooky went to Division 1 (East) leaders, Wokingham & Emmbrook with only a bare bones’ squad, including just one substitute, and paid the penalty by being beaten convincingly by their Berkshire opponents who were much the superior and always in control.
After a few narrow squeaks and ‘keeper Joe White being brought into early action, the home team went ahead following a midfield mistake by Hooky which allowed Sam Duffelen to gain possession and advance towards the visiting goal where he beat White with a deflected shot into the left corner of the net. Then, on 25 minutes, further careless play by the visitors allowed Nick Bateman a clear run on goal. Whilst his first effort from the foot was parried by White, the home forward followed up with a header which looped over White and into the back of the Hooky net.
Half Time: Wokingham & Emmbrook 2 Hook Norton 0
Even though the visitors gave a more spirited performance in the second half when young Marcus Pitts replaced the equally young Ollie Brotherston, they conceded a third goal after just 48 minutes which, effectively, put the tie to bed. The ball was played down the Wokingham right wing after Danny Greaves lost possession from a heavy tackle and as the home forward advanced towards the near post his cross was deflected into the net by a Hooky defender.
Full Time: Wokingham & Emmbrook 3 Hook Norton 0
Geoff James Press Officer Hook Norton Football Club
Wokingham & Emmbrook cruised into the 1st Round proper of the The " Blue Fin " Insurance Brokers Challenge Cup , better known as the League Cup against Hellenic League
Premier side Hook Norton at Cantley Park on Saturday. With Promotion the main aim this season , Wokingham chose to give several squad players an important run out. With Sam Duffelen playing his final game for four to five months due to the fact he is going off travelling, it was important for the fringe players to come in a stake a claim for a starting place in the line up. With the emergence of young Alex Luis, Chris Byrne and the return of Nick Bateman , Wokingham have seemed to have plenty of cover for Duffelen's tempory departure. Wokingham set off on the front foot straight from the start and in their very first attack opened up the visitors defence but the through ball was far to long for Andre Stairmand. A great ball out wide from Chris Byrne released Shane Cooper - Clark out on the right, the young striker fed the ball into Luke Lee ,who returning from his one match suspension forced the visitors keeper Joe White to concede a corner low down. From the resulting corner taken by Stairmand, defender Lewis Edwards did well to block Cooper - Clark's effort after the ball had been headed back across the face of goal. From one of the visitors rare attacks they won a free kick which was played in high only for Eric Laborieux to see his header go inches high and wide. Wokingham deservedly took the lead in only the 9th minute with Sam Duffelen signing off with a goal. Winning possession in the visitors half he drove forward before unleashing a low, well struck effort from just outside the area that took a slight deflection, wrong footing keeper White. At this stage Wokingham were well on top. The visitors, although without really threatening the Cantle Park side, still tried to keep the ball down and play attractive football. Good work by Lee almost forced Ashley Prentice to turn the ball past his own keeper. The home side increased their lead in the 24th minute when Stair and produced a peach of a pass to released Nick Bateman, the midfielder broke clear only to see his first effort balloon up into the air off the keeper but keeping is composure he headed his second attempt into the empty net. Not content Wokingham poured forward and Hook defender Eric Laborieux did well to deny Lee after breaking clear from a Richard Pilcher pass. With the visitors defence playing a high line, Wokingham were caught countless times in their offside trap. The game was made safe three minutes into the second half when Wokingham broke down the right with Bateman, getting towards the byline, the midfielders attempted cross was turned into his own net by Danny Poole. Assistant boss Roger Herridge made his first change of the afternoon introducing Jose Gomez for Stairmand. A Jack Broome free kick was just to long for Cooper - Clark. A second change was made on the hour when top scorer Richard Bland replaced the hard working Lee. Bland almost got on to the score sheet in the 72nd minute when a long clearance from keeper Stuart Harris released the speedster, good control under pressure from Laborieux saw Bland break to the edge of the area, lifting the ball away from the keeper and just about to slot home an extended leg by Laborieux appeared from nowhere to knock the ball away to safety. Minutes later Keeper White denied Bland again this time with his legs. A third change was required in the 79th minute when Chris Byrne was led away with blood running down from a head wound , Alex Luis replacing him. Bland who could have had a hatrick, controlled instantly before firing inches wide of the target. The only real save Harris had to make all afternoon was a point blank effort from Pete Moulder that wouldn't have counted as the flag went up for offside. However Harris's handling was good all afternoon when called to claim crosses. Assistant Herridge was pleased with the performance. " I thought it was comfortable throughout with very little to worry us, we controlled it from start to finish ". " I thought Richard Pilcher did well at the back and Chris Byrne showed great composure in midfield " . " It is important to give all your squad a game in these matches, it keeps them sharp, you can train as many times as you like but you can't beat match fitness ". This victory sets up a difficult looking fixture in the next round with Wokingham & Emmbrook having to travel to Wantage Town who sit in the top six of the Premier Division at present. Next Saturday also see's Wokingham in cup action this time they turn their attention to the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup with a home game against Reading League side Unity F.C. Owing to Cantley be used for their annual Firework display the game has been switched to Lowther Road. Kick off 1 - 45pm.
Team : Harris, Broome, Stairmand ( Gomez ), Pilcher, Hanson, Lewin, Bateman, Duffelen, Cooper - Clark, Lee ( Bland ), Byrne ( Luis ).