Thame United 0-0 Wokingham and Emmbrook
Saturday 3rd October 2009
Wokingham travelled to Thame with the intention of breaking the host's 100% record in the league, whom had only played 5 games in the division so far. The game had drama but a free flowing game was simply out of the question due three factors. Those being a strong swirling wind, a hard pitch which made passing extremely difficult and a overzealous referee.
Wokingham had the better of the opening exchanges. Early on Richard Bland managed to break away, with a narrow angle on goal his effort was diverted across the face of goal only for nobody in an orange shirt making the run to tap the ball into an unguarded net. Soon after Bland had another opportunity to give the visitors the lead. From a cross he collected the ball and this time his effort did beat Thame's keeper Paul Searl but defender Dave Hocking was on hand to block his shot on the line. Thame's main threat throughout the match was to be through set pieces and had a couple of chances wasted by both Ben Connelly and Adam Rhodes before the break.
At the start of the second period Thame became the dominant force and should have taken the lead. At the far post Nik Rhodes headed his effort down and back across the face of goal only the quick reactions of Stuart Harris prevented the deadlock being broken. Despite this Wokingham then had the best opportunity of the match when Luke Lee latched onto a loose ball in the area only to see his effort crash back off the woodwork. The game soon turned sour when Luke Lee was dismissed for a second yellow card and then manager Wayne Wanklyn had to follow him as he expressed his opinion of how Mr D Commander had managed the game. As the match wore on Thame pressed for a winner which never came. Bland had another chance before the end after peeling away from his marker but Searl was out quickly to make the save and Wokingham were denied a penalty when a handball appeal was waved away.
Considering the conditions and the quality of the opposition a draw was a good result which will keep the other title contenders, including Thame, at bay for the time being.
Wokingham and Emmbrook
Harris, Lewin, Luis, Wanklyn, Tranter, Thorne, Byrne, Duffelen, Lee, Bland, Stairmand.
Subs not used: Hanson, Pilcher, Gomez, Horscroft, Cooper-Clark