Never Doubted Promotion - 30th April

Wokingham & Emmbrook boss Wayne Wanklyn celebrated steering his young side to promotion from Hellenic Division One East, and insisted he was never worried that they would throw away their chances of going up.

After a remarkable first half of the season, which saw the Satsumas lead the division from the word go, they struggled to regain their form after the prolonged Christmas break. Because of the snow and freezing conditions, followed by waterlogged pitches, Wokingham didn’t play a game between December 12 and January 23. Then, when they returned to action they dropped 11 points from nine league games, surrendering top spot to eventual champions Thame United.

However, Wokingham then went on a run which has seen them go unbeaten in six games, only drawing to Thame after being reduced to nine men late in the game. After beating Holyport 2-1 at Larges Lane, the ground they will be playing their home games at next season, Wanklyn achieved the goal he set himself when he took over the helm two and a half years ago.

“It has all gone exactly as we planned it,” said Wanklyn “It was common knowledge within the club that promotion was the goal and we had a three-year plan to do it. I took over in November 2007 – the end of that season was for us to consolidate and find out what we needed for the next year. The second season we planned for a top six-finish because promotion was a very big ask, and we finished fourth, then this year we wanted to finish in the top two so in terms of the plan, it’s been great. It’s been a combined effort – the players have been fantastic for a group who are so young –the effort and attitude they have displayed over the last two season has been great. Everyone at the club has had one aim and the committee have been fantastic. I thought from early on that we could do it, but the turning point was the Didcot home result (on March 6). We weren’t playing particularly well, but we won 5-0 and other results went for us and I remember thinking after that game ‘I think we’ll be okay’ – it was just a gut feeling. The Finch defeat was also a turning point because it refocused everyone’s minds and since then we’ve been absolutely fantastic – it shows that you can learn from defeats."

“There weren’t really any doubts. When you have a bit of bad spell you start thinking about the ifs, buts and maybes, but I never doubted we’d finish in the top two – I knew we were good enough. We had a bit of a sticky patch and I thought it would be closer than we were hoping it would be, but to beat Milton, South Kilburn, Holyport and Woodley as well as drawing with Thame was great, and it gave us more points than I was probably expecting.”

Sights Still Set On Title -23rd April

Wokingham and Emmbrook clinched promotion from Hellenic League Division One East - and have now set their sights on winning the title.

The Satsumas beat Holyport on Tuesday night, then last night tSouth Kilburn 0-4 with Bland and Cooper-Clark grabbing a pair of goals each. It means Wayne Wanklyn's men trail Thame United by seven points with three games to play, but they do have a game in hand on the leaders.

After Tuesday nights win against Holyport, assistant manager Rodger Herridge declared: "To be promoted with four games spare is a fantastic achievement. We can certainly relax a bit now because the job has been done. But as long as it's mathematically possible to win the league we will carry on trying to win games. We'll be going all out to win the title because Thame have some tough games left to play. If they lose one of them then suddenly it's a different picture."

After their win against Holyport, Herridge commented: "I'm delighted for the lads who have been brilliant all season. They were so chuffed but it's tough to celebrate too much when people have to work the next morning so we're going to do it properly after the Farnborough game this Saturday."

Ours To Give Away - 9th April

Wayne Wanklyn insists promotion is still theirs to throw away after defeating Newbury 3-0 last night.

The Satsumas' promotion charge received a blow when they were beaten 2-1 by local rivals Finchampstead at Cantley Park on Saturday. With Monday's trip to South Kilburn also postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, the win last night put second-placed Wokingham six points ahead of Holyport but with three games in hand in Hellenic League Division One East.

They remain favourites to clinch a top-two finish despite a tough run of fixtures to come with a trip to resurgent Woodley Town this Saturday followed by a crunch home game against Milton United next Tuesday night. After that Wanklyn's men then face runaway leaders Thame Town and Holyport at home in two titanic top-of-the-table clashes.

Wanklyn is confident his players will get the job done and cement their place in the top two. He said: "Ourselves,Woodley, Milton and Holyport are all still in with shout of second. They're chasing us and we have to keep in front. These next five games will be really tough. It doesn't come much trickier but, to be honest, it's for us to lose now and I don't anticipate that
happening. We're still in a great position in the table and the players have worked extremely hard to get through a sticky spell recently. They're a great group to work with and we're doing everything we can to come through it".

* Both Woimgham and opponents Finchampstead paid special tribute to Clive McNelly who last Saturday spent five hours sweeping water off the Cantley Park pitch so the game could go ahead.

Hectic Times - 20th March

The Rayners Lane clash midweek was the start of a spell of three games in six days as Wokingham's hectic end to the season clicks into gear.

The Satsumas now travel to Reading Senior Division side Mortimer in the quarter-final of the Reading Senior Cup on today., followed up next Tuesday with a trip to Didcot Town Reserves.

But assistant manager Roger Herridge insisted: "It will be a test for the squad but I think we are well-equipped for the challenge. The games come thick and fast, but if you want to be a good side that's the sort of position you want to be. It's certainly much better to be fighting on three fronts than having nothing to play for and just be crossing off the games until the end of the season. We have worked hard to get ourselves into this position, so it's now a case of working hard until the end of the season to ensure we don't slip away."

Best Yet To Come - 13th March

Two draws on the spin against Henley Town had seen the Satsumas slip off the top of Hellenic Division One (East) for the first time since August. Wokingham got back to winning ways on last weekend by cruising past an improving Didcot outfit.

Manager Wayne Wanklyn insisted there was still more to come: "I don't think you could say we were back to our best, which I suppose is very encouraging. We didn't play great in the first half against Didcot , but started to pass and move a little bit better in the second period. But five goals and a clean sheet, you have to be happy with that."

"Paul McKay, Didcot Town Reserves manager, was very complimentary and said we were the best side they have played this season, which was nice to hear. And a few of the other results went for us as well, with Thame beating Holyport, Milton drawing and Henley losing so it was a good day all round for us."

Starting today, Wokingham face a daunting run-in to their season, with a midweek game scheduled every week as they face the prospect of cramming a maximum of 18 games into the final six weeks of the season. Wanklyn has already identified the first three weeks of April as the crucial period for his side's season, when his side take on high-flyers Thame United, Milton United and Holyport as well as local rivals Finchampstead, Woodley Town and Newbury. He explained: "Those three weeks are going to be make or break, and I think we'll know after the first couple of games how things will end up. It's going to be a very busy period, but that is what you have a squad for and hopefully it will be enough to see us through. But it won't be make or break unless we win the games going into that period. That starts with the trip to Penn & Tylers Green today and continues with the game with Rayners Lane next week. We have to be looking to take six points from those two games to get us off to a good start in this period."

Wokingham's clash with Rayners Lane, initially scheduled for next Tuesday has now been put back two days to Thursday, March 18 (7.45pm ko). This is due to the Wokingham home games now being played at Bracknell Town's Larges Lane ground, and Bracknell have a previously arranged Southern League fixture against Hungerford Town on Tuesday.

Larges Lane Games - 6th March

Wokingham announce they will be playing five of their remaining home games this season at Larges Lane, the home of Bracknell Town FC, as part of their groundsharing agreement with the Robins.

With the Satsumas forced to share Larges Lane next season if they win promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division, the league requires up to five games to be played at their proposed new home this season.

The games currently provisionally scheduled to be moved to Bracknell are the clashes with Rayners Lane (Tuesday, March 16), Eton Wick (Tuesday, March 30), Finchampstead (Saturday, April 3), Newbury (Wednesday, April 7) and Holyport (Tuesday, April 20).

Wanklyn said: "It's a league requirement that when you groundshare you have to play a certain number of games there the season before. "We are aware the pitch isn't the best, but we are extremely grateful to Bracknell for being so co-operative and giving us the chance to go up next season."

No Need To Panic - 27th February

Wayne Wanklyn insists he won't overreact to his side's stuttering form in recent weeks.

The Satsumas were in imperious form before Christmas as a 10-game winning run gave them a comfortable cushion at the top of Hellenic Division One (East). But the league leaders have not had it all their own way since the unofficial mid-season break inflicted by the Arctic conditions. That continued on Saturday as a Henley Town equaliser three minutes from time made it two draws and a defeat in their last five games and reduced their advantage at the top to a solitary point over Thame United.

Wanklyn admitted his side had not been at their best since getting back to action, but he believes they are still in good shape as they prepare for a Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup quarter-final clash with Faringdon Town today. He said: "We have been stuttering a bit in recent weeks but it's important not to overreact to it. Since the break we have not got back to the football we were playing beforehand. But we are still in good shape, we're top of the league and in the last eight of two cup competitions - and sometimes you will have the odd sticky spell.Hopefully we will come through that soon and be on our way again."

Last weekend's derby clash with Henley featured arguably one of Wokingham's worst displays of the season. Yet they were still only three minutes away from taking all three points from a top six outfit. And a disappointed Wanklyn said: "The management team had a meeting afterwards and everyone thought it felt like a defeat. At 2-1 we had a couple of absolutely glorious chances to get the third which would have put the game out of reach. It was a strange game because we were not in any trouble for the first hour and yet we were really hanging on at the end. We almost saw it through and got the win without playing well, but a point is not such a bad result - I've always said the most important thing is not to lose against the teams around you and that's what we did."

Poor Defending Angers Wanklyn - 19th February

Wokingham & Emmbrook can cement their position at the top of Hellenic League Division One East this Saturday when they host promotion rivals Henley Town.

But boss Wayne Wanklyn knows his side must play better than last weekend - despite sticking seven goals past Sandhurst Devels to reach the Reading Senior Cup quarter finals. What angered Wanklyn was watching the Satsumas ship four goals against the Reading Senior Division outfit before winning 7-4 in extra-time. "We're in the quarters but that was the only good thing to come of it," fumed Wanklyn. "I wasn't very impressed with us at all. I was pleased with scoring seven goals, but not with conceding four. We made so many schoolboy errors and I certainly let the lads know how we felt. For a side that has only conceded two league goals at home all season, to defend like that was extremely disappointing. I don't want to let results camouflage performances. No disrespect to Sandhurst Devels, but they didn't look a particularly good side. It was just sloppy from us and we have to be better than that. I'm not complaining, but we've set standards we didn't live up to. I reminded all the players that if we're going to do something this season we have to maintain that level every game."
Despite Wanklyn's frustrations, it was a good weekend for Wokingham as Thame United failed to knock them off the top following a 2-2 with Didcot Town Reserves in the league. It means the Satsumas now lead the way on goal difference and also have a game in hand on Thame who travel to South Kilburn on Saturday. Henley in sixth are another side Wanklyn believes could challenge for the title, although they could only draw 1-1 at home to Farnborough Reserves last weekend.

But Wanklyn will not be taking them lightly. "Henley and Thame both drew which was good for us because they're still in with a shout," he argued. "We're top on goal difference with a game in hand which is a good position to be in. We'll be trying to beat Henley and we definitely don't want to lose, that's for sure. It will be a terrific local game but we haven't done too well against them recently and on their day Henley are a very, very good side. They're still very much in with a shout of the title. We still have to play them twice and they also play Thame United. But I think they're going to have to beat us to stay in it and we'll do everything we can to make sure they don't."

Poised To Pick Up Winning Thread - 22nd January

Assistant boss Roger Herridge is hoping to see the Satsumas pick up from where they left off if they get their season up and running again this weekend.

As with the rest of the Hellenic League, Wokingham have been forced to deal with an unscheduled winter break over six weeks of the Christmas period. They look all set to get back out on the pitch for the first time in 2010 this Saturday when they host Padbury United in the fourth round of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup.

The Satsumas had been breezing past all-comers before the weather intervened in December and a win this weekend would make it 10 wins in a row in all competition. Herridge, pictured, admitted that getting that momentum going again immediately will be important if they are to push on and claim the Hellenic One (East) title. That will be no easy matter after a 42-day break from competitive action.

Herridge joked: "We've been away so long that it's almost like coming back after pre-season again. But they are a fit bunch of lads, who are absolutely desperate to get a game of football in. It's important we get our momentum going again with so many games coming up between now and the end of the season. Just because we have had a break does not mean we have taken our eyes off the prize in any way - and that's to make sure we get ourselves out of this division."
I

n some ways the visit of Padbury could be seen as the ideal game to ease Wayne Wanklyn's men back into action. The North Buckinghamshire outfit ply their trade in Division Two of the Spartan South Midlands League, a level below that at which the Satsumas operate, and currently sit in fourth spot. A county cup game could be viewed as the perfect opportunity to run the rust out of the players' legs before the main task of getting back to league action in February. Whilst admitting promotion is still the main priority, Herridge is adamant the Satsumas players will be going all out for the win, in what should prove a testing encounter. He explained: "Wayne and myself have always said the main priority is the league, but we look to win every game we play. So we've had a couple of good training sessions now where the players showed some real intensity. We're going into a game where we know nothing about the opposition so we have to expect it will be a very tough encounter. They are playing at a level the equivalent of the Reading Senior League, and we know how difficult those teams can be to beat. So we've prepared as well as we can for Saturday and we're ready to get out there and try to remember what it's like playing a match after so long."

Satsumas' Groundshare Move Closer - 15th January

The groundshare deal between Bracknell Town and Wokingham & Emmbrook moved another step closer this week with the news that the Hellenic League have given their backing to the proposal.

The proposed agreement now just needs Southern League approval later this month and the clubs can then look forward to an exciting new era at Larges Lane in August. The one-year deal is still dependent on Wokingham & Emmbrook clinching promotion from Division One (East) of the Hellenic League this season but, with the Satsumas currently leading the table by three points and Bracknell bottom of Southern League Division One (South & West), the clubs could be Hellenic Premier Division rivals in August

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The Hellenic League approval was a welcome piece of good news for Bracknell after the Robins were told they will need to spend about £3,000 on ground improvements to ensure they retain their current step four ground grading. Following a recent inspection by the FA, the club were told they need to undertake some ground improvement work to achieve the necessary grading to continue playing at Southern League level, most significantly the erection of a permanent fence at the Larges Lane end that will cost about £3,000.

The work needs to be completed by Wednesday, March 31 but Robins secretary Tony Hardy is confident the club can hit that deadline. He said: "We need to get the work done by March 31 if we want to stay at step four. We had a ground inspection three years ago and the FA were happy with things, but this time things weren't acceptable as they felt the fence wasn't permanent. There's nothing we can do other than get the work done. We have no option as we don't want to avoid relegation, which we remain confident of doing, but then get demoted because of our ground grading. We've got some of the money but we'll obviously need to make adjustments elsewhere to help us get the work done."

Bracknell Town have achieved just three points from the eighteen games played this season and are currently bottom of the Southern League Divison One South & West.

PMA - Positive Mental Attitude - 8th January

Assistant manager Roger Herridge believes the attitude of his young Wokingham & Emmbrook side will stand them in good stead during their enforced winter break.

The Satsumas' clash at fellow promotion hopefuls Henley Town unsurprisingly fell victim to the frosty conditions last Saturday, although it was not called off until 12.20pm. With this weekend's home game against Padbury United in the last 16 of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup also called off, it means that the Hellenic One (East) leaders have not taken to the field since the 2-1 win over neighbours Finchampstead on December 12.

Herridge confirmed that everyone at the club is itching to get back out on the pitch to try and continue their tremendous season. He said: "We're just like everybody else in football all over the country - we're just desperate to be involved in a game. But footballers at local level these days do look after themselves and there is no danger of anyone letting their standards slip too far, even over Christmas. We haven't been able to do too much training over the last few weeks as Cantley Park tends to shut down over Christmas as it is council owned. But we all met up last week to go on a run. It wasn't a very popular text that I sent out, but I think it is important to meet up as a group when you are not getting the chance to play."

Satsuma's In Robins' Nest - 24th December

Wokingham & Emmbrook and Bracknell Town will groundshare next season if the Satsumas clinch promotion.

The two clubs had been in discussions for several weeks over a possible groundshare at Larges Lane and The Bracknell News revealed that a draft one year agreement is now in place for next season. Subject to final approval from both the Hellenic League and the Southern League, and as long as the Satsumas win Division One (East) this season, the clubs will groundshare in August.

Wokingham & Emmbrook are currently three points clear at the top of the table, while Bracknell are bottom of Southern League Division One (South & West) - meaning that the clubs could be Hellenic Premier Division rivals next season.

Robins chairman Tony Hardy was quick to point out that the groundshare deal wasn't the prelude to a merger between the two clubs but was excited by what promises to be a new chapter for both teams. He said: "We have met and discussed a possible groundshare and there's now a draft agreement in place should Wokingham & Emmbrook come up. Hopefully everything should be formalised by the New Year as the deal needs to be in place by January 1 for the Hellenic League. It would then just need approval by the Southern League, but it's pretty much all over bar the shouting. We know Wokingham & Emmbrook had been talking to other clubs but we had really positive talks with them and I think it was always their preference to play at Larges Lane. Their youth team groundshared with us a couple of years ago, so it's more like a reaquaintance. Some people might be concerned it's a merger but that's definitely not the case. We see it as forming a partnership. We're encouraged and excited by it as it's two local clubs working together. We'll pool our resources and put our heads together to maximise opportunities and hopefully it will generate some much needed revenue for both clubs."

Wokingham & Emmbrook's first team play at Cantley Park, while their reserves and youth teams play at Lowther Road, but neither venue meets Premier Division ground requirements which include a 100-seater stand and floodlights. The cost of upgrading Cantley is believed to be in the region of £100,000 but Wokingham require a long term lease in order to secure a grant from the FA. However, Wokingham Borough Council's refusal to sign a 20-year lease that would allow them to set up permanent home there has left the Satsumas with no option but to enter into a groundshare deal.

It is the latest twist in Wokingham's nomadic existence as the club also played at Windsor's Stag Meadow for three years after leaving their Finchampstead Road home in the 1990s and Satsumas director of football Roger Herridge also expressed his delight at the news. He said: "The two clubs have spoken before about the possibility and now it looks like it should all go through. It's obviously a massively important thing for us. The players now know that if we do get promoted, the committee have got them a place to play in the area. It can really work as a partnership, with us bringing some money into Bracknell Town FC and a lot of fantastic people in the two clubs working together to the benefit of the two teams. I think we have to pay enormous tributes to the efforts of our chairman Mark Ashwell. You have to acknowledge how important his efforts are in the success the club enjoys at the moment and hopefully in the future."

Never Say Die - 20th November

Wayne Wanklyn has hailed the never-say-die attitude of his young side after they mounted a sensational comeback to see off Holyport in a seven goal thriller.

The table-topping Satsumas looked set to go down to just their second defeat of the season in Division One (East), trailing 3-0 to one of their main title rivals six minutes into the second half. But a remarkable rally saw Wanklyn's men net four times in 36 minutes, culminating in Danny Horscroft's last minute winner, to snatch the points.

It was a stunning effort from the visitors, made all the more remarkable by the fact that it was the youngest starting XI ever fielded by the club. Just three members of the team were over 21, and Wanklyn admitted that their fightback had left him a very proud man. He said: "The players were just awesome in the final 35 minutes and it left me very proud of them. They showed such desire not to lose the game and played with such a great spirit. When you consider how many of the team were under the age of 20, the attitude they showed was absolutely first class."

The Satsumas' late show rounded off a perfect weekend for the table-toppers, who saw their advantage extended to nine points.With three games in hand, Holyport had looked like being one of Wokingham's main rivals - but they now sit 14 points off the pace. Wanklyn explained: "I have said all along that when you are in this position, it is important not to lose to the sides you think will be your main challengers. Saturday's win puts us in a good position and makes it more difficult for the sides around us in the table. And if you keep putting the pressure on, then sometimes you will get days like Saturday where all the results seem to go for you, long may it continue."

Wanklyn's men now face another month-long break from league action as the cups take centre stage again. They start this tomorrow on the defence of the Reading Senior Cup as they host Reading Premier Division side West Reading. The manager admits that the prospect of another trip to the Madejski Stadium will mean his side will not be taking the game lightly. He said: "Playing at the Madejski is all the motivation the lads need. It was a great night for the club last year and I'm sure the players would love to repeat it."

Draw Acceptable - 14th November

Wayne Wanklyn admits he would take a draw from Wokingham's trip to Holyport today when two of the division's highest scoring sides meet in a mouthwatering clash.

The Satsumas have been top of Hellenic League Division One East since the end of August but Wanklyn's men face one of their toughest tests yet at Summerleaze against in-form Holyport. There is also the promise of a goal-fest as Wokingham have plundered 19 in their last five games while Holyport have bagged 16 in their last four and are the leading scorers in the division.

And fifth-placed Holyport's success comes as no shock to Wanklyn: "We've had a good look at them and I know what we're up against we'll be well prepared but there's no doubt Holyport are a good side. The reports I've had say they're the best side we've seen this year and it should be a tough game. But the players relish these big games and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Wokingham, who were in Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup action last weekend, have a commanding lead at the top of the table and Wanklyn is determined not to fritter it away. "The important thing for us is that we don't lose at Holyport," explained Wanklyn, who will be without the unavailable Darren Thorne. "We'd love to win, but we don't want a defeat. In our position it's important not to lose to sides around you. The longer that goes on, the more pressure it puts on our rivals to win all their other games. We've been in the top two all season and we're comfortable with that. I'm really pleased with my squad but all we can do is take it one game at a time."

Groundshare Possibility - 12th November

Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club are in discussions with Southern League Bracknell Town over a possible groundshare.

Hellenic League Division One East table-topping Satsumas are on track for promotion, but their current homes at Cantley Park and Lowther Road do not meet the ground requirements of the Premier Division above. That has put their chances of going up in serious jeopardy, forcing club bosses to seek out an alternative venue that meets the Football Association's ground criteria which include a 100-seater stand and floodlights.

It is reported Wokingham have been given until the New Year to make a decision and chairman Mark Ashwell confirmed talks with Bracknell have taken place. "We're looking at all the options available to us and we get on well with Bracknell," said Ashwell. "We played an Allied Counties game at Larges Lane only last week. I sincerely thank them for that because we didn't have a venue. But we're exploring a lot of ideas and a decision will be made soon."

Wokingham currently play on a roped-off pitch at Cantley Park playing fields but the Borough Council refuse to sign a 20-year lease that would allow them to set up permanent home there. Satsumas also play youth team and reserves matches at Lowther Road but they do not have permission to install floodlights as it a built-up area.

The Catch 22 scenario means the club could be forced to move out of town, with Bracknell FC's nearby Larges Lane a likely alternative. It is understood other possibilities include a ground-share with Windsor and Eton FC and Ascot United.
Wokingham played at Windsor's Stag Meadow for three seasons after leaving their original Finchampstead Road home several years ago. The cost of upgrading Cantley Park would be in the region of £100,000, but Wokingham require a long-term lease in order to secure a grant from the FA.

Strength In Depth - 6th November

Roger Herridge believes last Saturday's win over Hook Norton demonstrated the strength in depth at Wokingham & Emmbrook. One (East) leaders Wokingham cruised to a 3-0 success over the Premier Division whipping boys in the preliminary round of the Hellenic Challenge Cup.

Boss Wayne Wanklyn made seven changes to the starting line-up that had hammered Newbury 5-1 the previous weekend.
But the quality of the performance did not suffer at all as Wokingham proved far too strong for their visitors, who have earned just one point from their first 15 league games.

Assistant boss Herridge (pictured) admitted that was the big positive to take from a fairly routine victory. He said: "We made good use of the squad on Saturday and were able to give a rest to Richard Bland, Shaun Wanklyn and Alex Luis. But the guys that came in did the job they needed to, played some good stuff and showed they were superior in every department really. The game is all about the squad now, and I think we showed what we have available."

And Herridge insisted that ability to rotate the starting XI will come in useful again tomorrow when Wokingham host Reading League club Unity in the second round of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup. The visitors sit two divisions below the Satsumas in the Premier Division of the Reading League. But they have made a decent start to their season, currently sitting in third place, and have shown their threat in front of goal having netted 26 times in their nine league games. Herridge admitted: "I think it will be an interesting game. They go into it with nothing to lose and obviously we will be massive favourites. But we have got a few guys missing this week, so again the squad will be used to the full, and we have to play up to our tag as favourites. Because while going well in the league is the main focus, we want to stay in the cups for as long as we can. Winning is a habit and that is why we go into every game looking to keep that habit going."

The Satsumas are clearly enjoying that habit at the moment, with last Saturday's victory making it six wins in the last seven games, and four on the bounce. The game was settled three minutes into the second half by an own goal, as the hosts cruised through to an intriguing first round tie with Premier Division high-flyers Wantage Town. Herridge agreed that is likely to prove a tougher test of the Satsumas' Premier Division credentials. He said: "The result was never really in doubt last Saturday. We controlled the whole game and were superior in every department. Wantage will be a much stiffer test and one that will perhaps better show the level we have reached. They are a top six side with a nice ground and it is certainly one to look forward to."

Explosive - 31st October

Roger Herridge was delighted to see Wokingham & Emmbrook finish the first part of their league campaign 'with a bang' last weekend.

The Satsumas hammered Newbury 5-1 in West Berkshire, to re-establish an eight-point lead at the top of Hellenic Division One (East). It was the perfect weekend for the table-toppers, with second-placed Henley Town slipping to a surprise 4-0 defeat at home to Eton Wick, and fellow title hopefuls Holyport and Thame United take points off each other with a 3-3 draw. With just one league game scheduled for November as Wokingham prepare to go on the cup trail, it left, assistant manager, Herridge very satisfied with his team's position as they near the halfway stage of the season. He said: "It was really important that we finished with a bang before we go on the cup trail for the next few weeks. And it was even more pleasing to see a few results go our way as well. That's what happens if you can keep picking up points when you are leading, it puts the pressure on the teams around you. We have certainly given ourselves every chance with the way we have performed in this first part of the season."

The Satsumas get their run of cup fixtures underway today hosting Premier Division basement boys Hook Norton in the Preliminary round of the Bluefi Insurance Hellenic Challenge Cup. The outclassed Oxfordshire outfit have taken just one point from their 15 league games so far this season, and Herridge admitted that it presents a chance for manager Wayne Wanklyn to have a look at the strength of his squad. He said: "They are holding everyone up in the Premier at the moment, but we have got a good squad and will try to make a few changes to keep everyone involved. There is a nice carrot if we can make progress as we would face Wantage in the next round, and they have been going well in the Premier. They would provide a different sort of challenge and it would be good for our team to experience that."

Last League Game Until December - 24th October

Wayne Wanklyn has urged his Wokingham & Emmbrook side to finish off in style as they prepare for a six-week break from league action.

The Division One East leaders travel to Newbury today for what will be their final Hellenic League game until December. With cup commitments occupying every weekend in November, the Satsumas will be watching the progress of their title rivals from the sidelines until they host Farnborough Reserves on December 5. Wanklyn admits he is viewing this weekend as the end of the first part of their league campaign and wants his side to go into that break in winning fashion. He said: "We are out of league action for the next month or so now, so even though it will be a tough game at Newbury, we want the three points going into that break. It's important to finish this part of our season well, as that will put us in a decent position to enjoy the cup games in November, before we resume league duty."

This weekend's opponents just pipped the Satsumas to third place last season in their first season in the Hellenic League. However, a change of manager and large turnover of players has seen them make an inconsistent start to this year. But Wanklyn knows that the prospect of facing the table-toppers is likely to bring the best out of the home side - and he is backing his players to deal with that added pressure. He said: "Newbury were a very good side last season, and even though they have lost a few players they have come up with a few decent results in recent weeks. We are the side to beat and when you are playing the top sides you tend to overperform because you want to prove yourself. But our players are enjoying their football and showing they can cope with that. There's no arrogance among the players, no one is thinking of promotion or anything like that, but as long as we keep working and playing the way we are, I think we are better than the rest of the sides in this league."

The Future Is Bright. . . - 17th October

The "Satsumas" assistant boss Roger Herridge believes last Saturday's 3-1 win at Prestwood promises a bright future for the team.

The Division One East leaders eased past the basement boys thanks to a Richard Bland brace and a Darren Thorne header.
And while Herridge, pictured, was satisfied with the result, it was the displays of the younger members of the side that was the main positive on the day. Two more members of the club's successful Allied Counties youth team were given their first taste of senior action, with both defender Josh Smith and midfielder Dan Horscroft making good impressions on their debuts. Added to regular starter Alex Luis and front man Shane Cooper-Clark, that took the number of 17-year-olds in the matchday squad to four.

It was particularly satisfying for Herridge, who takes charge of the Allied Counties side, and also stood in on last weekend for absent boss Wayne Wanklyn. He said: "Wayne's policy is always to bring the youth through. He believes that if you're good enough, you're old enough. We fielded four 17-year-olds on Saturday with more to come through and that's a big positive for the club and its future. It was a different type of game for them, certainly more physical than the Allied Counties games they are used to, but they all did enough to tell us they have what it takes. I spoke to Wayne about them after the game and I certainly think they will have a part to play in the squad over the next few games."

The Satsumas host Chinnor at Cantley Park today as they look to maintain an impressive eight-point gap at the head of affairs. And while Herridge recognises it will be another tough test for his young side, he is also looking for a chance to avenge a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Oxfordshire side last season. He said: "They had a great season last year, although this season they haven't started quite so well. But it will not be an easy game because they are a big, strong and experienced outfit who will be targeting us because of where we are in the league. But they came down last year and mugged us a bit, so while we need the three points to stay where we are, I think we owe them one as well."

Thrilled - 10th October

Wayne Wanklyn was thrilled with his Satsumas side's display at Thame United last Saturday and it left a contented Wanklyn believing his side's title chances were looking stronger than ever.

He said: "We were the better side, no doubt about it. We bossed the game, defended well had the lion's share of possession and created some good opportunities as well. And I have to say that I didn't see anything from them to worry us at all and I think the players thought that as well."

One negative from the weekend's clash was the dismissal of front man Luke Lee with 20 minutes to play. The striker was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence and will now serve a one-game ban - a decision that left Wanklyn furious. He explained: "Luke was sent off for doing something that we tell him to do every week, use his strength and roll the defender. But the referee then not only gave a foul, but booked him and it was a second yellow card. There was no foul involved at all, and that is something I just can't ignore. I was angry with it and it will probably cost me now. That's why I have not been happy with the FA's Respect campaign. Respect in all walks of life has to be earned, you don't just get it because of the position you hold and Saturday went some way towards showing that."

Today's trip to Prestwood looks to be a much easier task for Wanklyn's league leaders. The basement boys from Buckinghamshire have lost all of their first 10 games, conceding 53 goals in the process while registering just six of their own. During September they had a run of three league and cup games where they conceded a staggering 40 goals without reply. However, there was a marked improvement last weekend as they went down just 3-1 at Kintbury Rangers. Despite those facts, Wanklyn insists the game will get the full treatment and he will field his strongest possible side. He said: "There were rumours about them really struggling and possibly going out of the league, but they seemed to have a better result this weekend. We will treat the game the same as any other, try and get ahead early and go from there. I will certainly not be resting anyone because of where they are in the league, I will be playing my best available team."

Toughest Test So Far - 3rd October

Wayne Wanklyn believes his Wokingham & Emmbrook side are facing up to the toughest test of their season so far as they prepare to travel to Thame Town today.

The Satsumas took their fine league form into the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup on Saturday as a much-changed side secured a comfortable 3-1 win over Reading League side Rabson Rovers. But the trip to Thame this weekend promises to be a much more competitive affair, as the Hellenic Division One (East) leaders look to reinforce their title claims against one of their potential rivals for the crown.

Thame's successes in cup competitions means the visit of Wanklyn's men will be just their sixth league game of the season, and first since August. However, they won all of their previous five, conceding just two goals in the process. And with Wokingham having dropped just five points in their opening 10 games to leave them six points clear at the head of affairs, it is arguably a clash between the division's two form teams. Wanklyn, pictured, admitted: "I think it will be our toughest test of the season so far. They are the only team who have not been beaten yet in the league and they have done quite well in the cup competitions so they will be full of confidence. But we have only dropped five points ourselves from our 10 games, so I'm sure they will be looking at us and wondering if we will be the team to end their run. It's the sort of game you really look forward to and while it would be great to win it, given that they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, it is important not to lose it."