A Shane Cooper - Clark brace was enough to ease Wokingham & Emmbrook into the next round of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup. On a rain sodden surface Wokingham had little difficulty progressing in a competition, they have had very little luck in over the past few years. However it was the home side who looked the more impressive early on without really threatening. Steve Tranter had to concede an early corner from a cross driven in from the right, the corner ended up in the side netting. Keeper Stuart Harris, who's handling was top rate throughout did well to claim high up from a dangerous free kick. Wokingham's first real chance came in the 9th minute when from a free kick on the edge of the area taken by Shaun Wanklyn, Brown cleared off the line at the foot of the post. The steady Grant Lewin then had an excellent chance at the far post after good work by Nicky Bateman, however the defender put his effort wide of the upright. A good move out on the left involving Bateman and Alex Luis ended with the hard working Cooper -Clark having his well struck effort charged down. A long range effort from Danny Horscroft forced Wallingford keeper Bovingdon to save low down. After their slow start the visitors were beginning to impose themselves on the game but still both sides seemed to lack that cutting edge. The home sides Duncan saw his effort loop off Tranter safely into the hands of Harris. The home side were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area, Duncan's effort flew high over the crossbar. With half time approaching a Wokingham corner was only half cleared to Tranter, the central defender played the ball into the feet off the industrious Jack Broome who fired wide from a good position. With both sides seemingly cancelling each other out it was obvious a change in formation might be needed to gain the initiative. Despite the hard work of Luke Lee and Cooper - Clark up front in the absents of top scorer Richard Bland, a goal was needed to ease the pressure. Boss Wayne Wanklyn decided to change things for the second half, it didn't involve a change in personnel but a change of formation going from 4 - 4 - 2 to a more attacking 3 - 4 - 3. This proved a master stroke with Wokingham taking the lead two minutes into the second half. Darren Thorne who was moved from the back to play up front along side Lee and Cooper - Clark got away down the left touchline. Level out on the left with the penalty spot he crossed low and hard, the ball struck a defender who turned it onto his own keeper, the ball ran loose for Cooper - Clark to make sure with keeper Bovingdon stranded. From this point the visitors never looked back. Minutes later a great first touch from Thorne saw him turn just outside the area, his dipping effort just cleared the cross bar. The only second half threat from the home side came on 50 minutes when Chadbone saw his effort hit the bar with Harris beaten. Slowly Wokingham began to take a firm grip on proceedings, Lee broke clear and only a fine save by Bovingdon denied the striker , Horscroft then fired just to high as Wokingham looked for a second. This however came in the 66th minute Wanklyn's inch perfect through ball released Cooper - Clark down the middle. The 17 year old showed great composure skipping past Bovingdon to fire into an empty net and Wokingham & Emmbrook into the 4th Round. The home side were reduced to ten men in the 67th minute when Campbell was shown a second yellow for dissent by Mr. S.Smith. Apart from an effort by Wallingford's Gladwin that Harris had little trouble in keeping out, Wokingham with the game won introduced young Josh Smith and Jose Gomez for Tranter and Horscroft for the final 15 minutes. Wokingham coasted in without anymore scares. Like Wokingham, Wallingford were a young outfit who certainly didn't disgrace themselves. Trying to play football they made Wokingham work hard throughout. Boss Wanklyn's astute tactical awareness certainly paid dividends in the second half. " I felt we needed more of a presence up front and Thorney certainly gave us that, we looked far more composed in the second half and we always looked the more likely winner's after a hesitant first half ". " Having progressed in the cup competition's we can now turn our attention back to the league and this coming Saturday's trip to near neighbours Finchampstead". A game that kick off at 2 00pm.
Team : Harris, Lewin, Luis, Thorne, Wanklyn, Tranter ( Smith ), Broome, Bateman, Lee, Cooper - Clark, Horscroft ( Gomez ).