Super Sumas: Wokingham & Emmbrook open their Hellenic League campaign with big win

Ellis Day celebtates. Photo: Andrew Batt.
Ellis Day celebtates. Photo: Andrew Batt.

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Jake White bagged a hat-trick as Wokingham & Emmbrook began their Uhlsport Hellenic League campaign in sensational fashion.

The superb Sumas slammed AFC Aldermaston 5-0 in a Division 1 East fixture that was switched from The Rec Soc as originally scheduled to Lowther Road and brought forward to Friday evening.

Aldermaston’s defence gave the impression they had got lost en route as they were nowhere to be seen as Sumas raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes.

White raced through to open the scoring after five minutes and nine minutes later he nipped in to turn home a perfectly-placed left-wing cross from Josh Harris.

Aldermaston started to edge their way into the game, but were unable to make any headway against a solid-looking home defence and fell further into arrears in the 26th minute.

Dave Lyons punches clear. Photo: Andrew Batt.

Harris floated over a free-kick from the Wokingham’s right and Liam Eagle flew in to score at the second attempt from close range. Shortly afterwards, it was 4-0 with Harris setting up the opportunity for Ellis Day.

Harris wasted a golden opportunity to put his name on the scoresheet before White’s free-kick just outside the area took a wicked deflection off the wall to make it 5-0 on the stroke of half-time.

One had to feel sorry for keeper David Lyons, deputising for Iain McCulley, who was instead playing for his Sunday team, Burghfield, in a cup final being played at Reading City’s ground.
Not surprisingly, Aldermaston manager Dave Tuttle had some very harsh words to say to his players as they spent half-time sitting around in a circle on the field.

Dave Tuttle. Photo: Andrew Batt.

And he must have been pleased with the response, as they showed a lot more determination in the second half, although they were not helped by being reduced to 10 men due to a red card for defender Milan Barna 20 minutes from time

They saw plenty of possession, although without creating many clear-cut chances and they failed to force a noteworthy save from home keeper Sean Woodward for the rest of the match.
At the other end, there was some relief for Lyons as he received stronger support from his defence although Sumas did waste a few good scoring opportunities.

They were even awarded a penalty for a foul committed by Lyons, but substitute James Clarke saw his spot-kick smartly saved by the goalie, who later revealed he had played for much of the game with a cracked rib.

“That’s the last one he takes,” Sumas’ joint-manager Matt Eggleston was heard to say.

Fellow team boss Dan Bateman tweeted: “Great start for us tonight. Solid, energetic, sharp, clinical. It’s been a long pre-season but the lads to their just rewards tonight for the effort they’ve put in.”

Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One East

Abingdon Town 5-1 Woodley United
AFC Aldermaston 0-5 Wokingham & Emmbrook (Friday 11th)
Chalvey Sports 1-3 Wallingford Town
Holyport 3-0 Thame Rangers
Langley 1-2 Abingdon United (Friday 11th)

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