Wokingham & Emmbrook 3, Rabson Rovers 0
Saturday 26th September 2009
With a vital league encounter at Thame Utd next Saturday, Manager Wayne Wanklyn shuffled his pack against Reading based Rabson Rovers in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup at Cantley Park last Saturday. Richard Bland, Stuart Harris, Darren Thorne, Shaun Wanklyn and Grant Lewin all would have been in the starting line up usually, were rested
and relegated to the bench. It was a controlled start by Wokingham who could have taken an early lead when the ball was played forward, Luke Lee helped it on to Shane Cooper - Clarke who lifted his effort just over the bar. The Home side had definite shout for a penalty when Sam Duffelen was bundled down in the area but play was waved on. Wokingham were awarded a free kick when Jack Broome was fouled midway in the Rabson half, Alex Luis curled his kick towards the far post where Cooper - Clarke just failed to get a touch.
A swift move involving Andre Stairmand and Duffelen ended with the latter's effort being charged down. Although the visitors had possession they rarely looked dangerous although they defended well. Rabson keeper Martin Cox produced a fine save to deny Cooper - Clarke after Broome picked him out with an inch perfect pass. The deadlock was finally broken in the 24th minute when Cooper - Clarke, a constant threat gained possession outside the area. Cutting across the face of the area he made room before firing left footed and low past the rooted Cox. The visitors tried to hit back with Elliott Westwood firing in a good effort and then Andy Witaowski's cross picking out Mauzo Guerrio who headed high over the bar. At this stage Wokingham were well in control. Twice just before the interval Cooper - Clarke narrowly missed the target, firstly firing just wide and then hesitating from a good position eventually winning a corner that was easily dealt with by the Rabson defence.
The visitors started the second half pushing forward with Nick Mathews being flagged up for offside. From this moment Wokingham were soon back in control and from a Stairmand corner, Neal Hanson headed just wide of the target. The lead was increased in the 55th minute when a mix up in the visitors defence allowed Luke Lee to race clear of the recovering defence , keeping his composure he coolly slotted past Cox from inside the area. Manager Wanklyn then made three changes in the 58th minute with Wanklyn, Bland and Thorne replacing Richard Pilcher, Lee and Cooper - Clarke. Bland's pace was soon in evidence when he broke out on the right his cross was met by Thorne who somehow lifted his effort over the bar from close in. Chris Byrne tried his luck from distance but the ball sailed over the bar. Thorne almost atoned for his earlier miss when his rasping effort rebounded of a post with Cox beaten. Bland then fired inches past the post on the angle. Wokingham who barely got out of second gear all afternoon were given a wake up call in the 72nd minute when keeper Simon Harvey claimed the ball in the area but possibly led with his foot, a penalty was awarded. Elliott Dean stepped forward but his effort was brilliantly palmed over the bar by Harvey for a corner. From the corner the ball wasn't cleared and fell to Marc Brown just outside the area and his well struck effort nestled in the back of the net after taking a slight deflection. Despite this, Wokingham always looked as they could slip into another gear and score again and this was the case in the 85th minute. Darren Thorne controlled in midfield, looked up, before releasing Sam Duffelen through the centre, the midfielder waited as Cox advanced before slotting the ball past him
although Cox did get a hand to it. Broome then stung Cox's hand's with an effort from 20 yards out while at the other end Wanklyn had to deal with a header back across the face of goal somehow heading the ball off his own goal line over the bar for a corner. There were no more scares fro the home side although the visitors never gave up and gave a good account of themselves throughout. So it Wokingham & Emmbrook who go into the hat for the 2nd Round draw. " Although it wasn't a great game I felt we were comfortable throughout ". " It was a good job done now we have to turn our attention to Thame Utd next Saturday in what should be a cracking encounter, they ground share with AFC Wallingford ". " Although they have only played five league games owing to cup commitments they have a 100% record in the league so far ". " So we need to be at our best ".
Team: Harvey, Stairmand, Luis, Pilcher ( Wanklyn ), Hanson, Tranter, Broome, Byrne, Lee ( Bland ), Cooper - Clarke ( Thorne ), Duffelen.
Subs not used Harris and Lewin.
Atten : 78.