Wokingham & Emmbrook 2, West Reading 1
Wokingham & Emmbrook started out on their defence of The Reading Senior Cup against West Reading at Cantley Park. With a difficult and busy Christmas period ahead, Manager Wayne Wanklyn again rang the changes " Its not arrogance but utilisation of the squad ". " Over the Christmas and New Year period I will probably have to use them all
and I want them to be ready as we have some difficult games ". This fixture was the first of three cup games in succession, so the league has to be put on the back burner for a time. With Wokingham in pole position in the league it is difficult to get involved in too many cup competitions, but with a healthy squad it gives every one a chance to push for a regular place in the starting lineup. From the kick off Wokingham were quickly on the front foot , only some stout defending from the Reading side denied them an early lad.
After last weeks outstanding display young Danny Horscroft started the game in midfield for he Cantley Park outfit. It was Horscroft who nearly opened the scoring but his well struck effort went wide of the target. Richard Bland then got to the byline before seeing his effort deflected out for corner, Alex Luis curled in the corner that was well taken by visiting keeper Matt Roddy, who had a fine game. It was Roddy who again saved from a Darren Thorne header, from another Luis corner. Despite the pressure on them, West Reading did try and pass the ball when managing to get forward. Bland again made space for himself before firing in a low shot that Roddy saved brilliantly. Wokingham were awarded a free kick which was beaten out into the path of Luis but again Roddy was equal to the well struck shot. A tame Shane Cooper - Clark header was held. Wokingham had a let off when the ball deflected off of one of their defenders and keeper Stuart Harris had to be alert to concede a corner low down. A strong Bland run saw the striker run out of pitch and the chance went. It was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play in the 26th minute.Jordon Burrows gained possession in the final third , from a central position his well struck effort took a deflection of a Wokingham defender to wrong foot Keeper Harris. The game entered a sloppy period with Wokingham continually giving the ball away. However in the 33rd minute the home side were level. An inch perfect ball out of defence by Thorne picked out Cooper - Clark who in turn fed the ball into the path of Danny Horscroft , last weeks two goal hero reproduced the goods to hit an unstoppable effort high into the roof of the net from 25 yards out. The remainder of the half saw the visitors defending well although Wokingham failed to really put them to the sword.
However the second half saw Wokingham dominate from start to finish as Stuart Harris was a total spectator except for dealing with back passes. but despite the domination Wokingham failed to take advantage. An excellent double save by Roddy denied both Cooper - Clark and Bland. After an excellent build up Richard Pilcher's fine effort from just inside the area rattled the crossbar with Roddy well beaten. Wokingham made a couple of changes on the hour, going to a 4 - 4 - 3 formation. Luke Lee was introduced up front and Grant Lewis at the back in place of Neal Hanson and Pilcher. Lee should have given Wokingham the lead just after coming on but fired high and wide from a good position after a slick interchange opened up the visitors defence. With the game looking to be heading into extra time the excellent Roddy kept out a good effort from Shaun Wanklyn and then Lee set up Horscroft who fired wide. Twice Bland set up chances for both Horscroft and Lee that were not taken. With two minutes remaining Wokingham deservedly went in front, after wearing their opponents down with their superior fitness Shaun Wanklyn released Bland down the right, cutting in Bland finally beat the advancing Roddy low down. The visitors who gave a good account of themselves throughout the game had little chance to respond. With only seconds on the clock the visitors James Philby was shown red for pushing Nicky Bateman as the Wokingham midfielder was trying to act as a peace maker. You cannot raise your hands in the modern game and expect it to go unpunished. For Wokingham young Danny Horscroft along with defender Josh Smith showed what outstanding prospects they look and shows that when Allied Youth League players are introduced they are up to the task. " Although we struggled at times to find the net, we always looked the likely winners "." To their credit they never gave up even when under pressure in the second half ".
Team : Harris, Pilcher ( Lewin ), Luis, Thorne, Smith , Hanson ( Lee ), Wanklyn, Bateman , Horscroft, Bland, Cooper - Clark.
Not used Harvey G/K.
Atten : 54.