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| Defensive Praise - 4th December
Wayne Wanklyn has singled out his defence for praise after they kept their fourth clean sheet in a row last Saturday.
The Wokingham and Emmbrook boss saw his side keep pace with league leaders Ascot United thanks to a battling 1-0 win at Chinnor.
It was the Satsumas’ third consecutive shut out in the league, and fourth in all competitions. Wanklyn is delighted with the improvements his team has made at the back: “Our stats have improved massively in the last eight or nine games. We’ve worked hard on defending, not only as a back four but as a team. That seems to have paid off. The lads are all working hard and defending as a unit which is good to see. We had to really fight last weekend and if you want to finish in the top two that’s what you have to do against a lot of the sides in this league. It’s important to beat those around you but it’s no good doing that if you keep falling down against the teams below you.”
Wokingham take on Englefield Green Rovers this Saturday and Wanklyn knows they will have to repeat the level of performance they produced last weekend to sink Chinnor. He added: “We will have to be up for the fight but we’re at home so that gives us an advantage. We’re looking comfortable at home at the moment and are very buoyant.”
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Ready To Battle - 27th November
Satsumas assistant boss Roger Herridge says last weekend’s 1-0 win at Highmoor/Ibis in the Reading Senior Cup showed his team have the fight needed for a title charge.
Herridge has seen his side play some fine football this season which has taken them into the top two in Division One East.
Whilst he admits last Saturday’s display was not one of their best in footballing terms, he says it showed that the young players at the club have the battling qualities needed to compete at the top: “It certainly wasn’t a game for the purists. Normally it’s a nice place to play but the surface was awful and both sides struggled. It was a day for grinding out a result and we did that so we’re happy.”
“We’re a young side that are still learning. Last weekend we didn’t perform like we wanted but we still stood up to the test and didn’t shy away from that fight. That was very pleasing. We’ve shown this season that we can play good football but now we know we can go into a battle which is something we will have to do if we are to win the league."
“We go to Chinnor this Saturday and they are normally a physical side so, in many ways, last weekend was a dress rehearsal for this one. We will have to fight and match them but if we do that I’m confident we can come back with three points.”
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Contenders - 20th November
Wokinghams' assistant manager Roger Herridge says last weekend’s 1-0 win against Kintbury Rangers has proved his side are real title contenders. The victory was the first the Satsumas have inflicted over any of their championship rivals this season and keeps them two points clear at the top of the table.
Herridge believes it was their most important win of the season and it will have made the other top clubs stand up and take notice. He said: “It was a great win, we’re all chuffed to bits. It was very important for us that we got a result from the game. I think people will have looked at the table and thought of us as the surprise package this season so it was vital for us to get a win against one of the top teams. Everyone expects us to beat the teams at the bottom but when you beat the sides at the top, people start to take notice.”
He added: “We lost to Newbury a couple of weeks ago which was very disappointing and that made this result even more important. Kintbury were our sternest test so far, they’re very experienced and have some players who have played at a much higher level. So to win and keep a clean sheet was very pleasing. The boys were excellent and Kane Roberts in goal didn’t really have to make a save, especially in the second half.”
This Saturday Wokingham travel to Reading Senior Division outfit Highmoor/Ibis for a Reading Senior Cup second round clash. The Satsumas are still smarting from their County Cup exit against Reading League side Westwood United a couple of weeks ago and Herridge is adamant lessons have been learnt from that game.
He said: “We put a weaker side out against Westwood and we won’t be doing that this time. We want to win this cup, the final is at the Madejski Stadium which is a real carrot for everyone.”
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 Tough Test Tommorrow - 14th November
"Satsumas" boss Wayne Wanklyn is hoping his side can cement their place at the top of FTL Futbol Hellenic League Division One (East) as they take on one of their main title rivals Kintbury Rangers.
Wokingham were one of only six teams in league action last weekend due to County Cup commitments, and they took advantage to go back to the head of affairs following a comfortable 5-0 win over Eton Wick.
But Wanklyn is expecting a much tougher test when fifth-placed Kintbury Rangers visit Cantley Park this Saturday. Rangers sit just three points behind the Satsumas in the five-way chase for the title. The Wokingham boss admits that it is the games against the other four contenders that will decide the success or otherwise of his side’s campaign
He said: “I fancy Kintbury to be in the shake-up at the end of the season and that makes this a very important game. It’s normally the case in football that you have to do well against the sides around you because the top five or six teams are capable of beating the rest of the teams most weeks. So the title race will come down to the games against your nearest rivals.”
While Ascot United and Binfield both sit within two points of the new leaders with games in hand, Wanklyn was pleased that his side grasped the opportunity to move back to the top. He explained: “It keeps the confidence there and it’s good to be up there, especially when it is so tight. The games in hand are okay, but you have got to win them and I would much rather have points on the board.”
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Seize The Chance - 6th November
Wokingham and Emmbrook boss Wayne Wanklyn has urged his side to seize their chance to go back to the top of FTL Futbol Hellenic Division One East on Saturday.
The Satsumas are the only side in the top five of the division in league action this weekend and a win against Eton Wick will send them two points clear of current leaders Ascot.
Wanklyn knows the importance of getting points on the board to put pressure on the teams around his side in the table and wants to see a ruthless display from his players. He said: “We lost a bit of ground last weekend in the league so we need to get the pressure right back on those around us. I think we are the only one of the top five who are playing in the league this weekend so a win will put us back on top. It’s all a bit snakes and ladders at the moment – teams are going ahead and then slipping back. It looks like there is going to be five teams fighting it out and we need to make sure we get as many points on the board as we can.”
Wanklyn should have almost a fully fit squad to choose from for Saturday’s game, with Sam Whiting the only exception.
Eton Wick have won just once all season but the Satsumas boss insists their threat will not be taken lightly. He added: “We’ll certainly expect to win the game and are confident enough to say that, but we won’t be taking it easy, not a chance.”
Commenting on last Saturdays meeting in the SBJ Cup against Premier Division Milton United, Wanklybn added. “It’s probably the most pleased I’ve been in defeat for a long time. Our main objective was to win the game but the other was to see how we would cope against a strong Premier side. After what I saw on Saturday I now have no doubt we can compete in that league. The result wasn’t to be but I was so pleased with the performance and how we conducted ourselves.”
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Two Stars Missing, But The Manager Can't Wait- 30th October
Wayne Wanklyn can’t wait to see how his side handle playing against a Premier Division side this Saturday.
The Wokingham and Emmbrook boss has seen his team start the season in superb style in Division One East, winning eight of their opening 12 games. They sit second in the table, just one point behind leaders Ascot United, and with promotion a real possibility Wanklyn wants to see how his hide handles Premier Division opponents Milton United in the SBJ Sports Insurance League Challenge Cup.
  He said: “We’re looking forward to it. Milton are a Premier side so it will give us an opportunity to have a good look at that standard. You always want to test yourselves against teams who are above you so it will be good to see how we handle it. Milton are about mid-table, they’re not having a fantastic season but we know they will still be a strong side. We will just go there and give it our best.”
Wokingham will have to make do without David Bellis (left) and Alex Walton for the trip as the duo are away at England Schoolboy trials. But Wanklyn added: “I’m happy for them to miss Saturday’s game as the trials are really important for them. The trials are on Sunday and I want them to be in the best possible shape.”
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Big Hitters - 24th October
Satsumas' boss Wayne Wanklyn says his team are still punching well above their pre-season expectations despite their 2-1 home defeat against Newbury last weekend.
That loss, which was only their second of the campaign, saw the Satsumas slip from top spot in the league to fourth. But with the top five places all separated by just a single point, Wanklyn says his side are still in a very good position. He said: “Going into last weekend’s game we were top but now we’re fourth, that’s how tight it is. It’s turning out to be a very interesting battle, but there’s still a very long way to go. When you look at the top five I think we are probably the surprise team in it so we’re all really happy with the progress we’re making.”
Wokingham will be looking to get back to winning ways this Saturday when they travel to lowly Prestwood. Wanklyn added: “They’re the games that you know you need to win if you are to compete for the title. But we have to respect Prestwood. They’re not going to just give us the points so we’ll have to play well.”
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All Our Yesterdays!! - 20th October
There was a blast from the past at Emmbrook on Sunday morning when two veteran teams from Wokingham & Emmbrook FC and Finchampstead FC graced the field of play. Still displaying plenty of skill if not pace, the game finished in an honourable 4-4 draw, with a return match at Finchampstead threatened for later in the season.
Wokingham & Emmbrook
Back row: Tony Wood, Mark Rivers, Roger Herridge, Mark Walkington, Martin Marriott, Craig Osborne.
Front row: Mark Ashwell, Jason Walkington, Neil Van den Dungen, Ty Andrews, Glenn Duggleby, Andy Pettit.
Finchampstead
Back row: Dave Douglas, David Read, Richard Bradley, Kevin Clacey, Peter Amor, Robin Ings.
Front row: Ian Saunders, Nigel Neville, Steve Richardson, Michael Shaw, Nobby Clarke, Andy Strange.
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Bland Move - 15th October
Wayne Wanklyn admits he is delighted to see his Wokingham and Emmbrook side back at the top of the league following their fine 3-0 win against Holyport last weekend. Those three points, combined with Ascot United’s 2-1 defeat at Kintbury Rangers, saw the Satsumas climb back to the summit which they had made their own during a faultless first five games of the campaign.
The first five games were then followed by a run of three without a win but Wanklyn insists his side are now over their slump and back in form. He said: “I’m very pleased with how we’ve responded to that. We’re back at the top now which is where we want to be. I said before last weekend’s game that we had two very important matches coming up against Holyport and Newbury and we’ve won the first one. Now if we can get three points again on Saturday that would put us in very good shape before we go into our next two games which, on paper, we should be winning.”
 Wokingham preparations for Saturday’s home game against Newbury have been hit, however, by the news that top scorer Richard Bland (pictured) is joining Camberley Town.
The Combined Counties Premier Division outfit put in a seven-day approach for the striker at the end of last week and Wanklyn is already planning for life without the man who hit seven goals in the first four games of the campaign. The Wokingham boss said: “Camberley put in a seven day approach for Richard which they are entitled to do. Richard then indicated to me on Saturday morning that he was keen on the move and wanted to speak to them so he wasn’t included in our squad. I didn’t think he would be in the right frame of mind. It’s a shame but he goes with my blessing. He’s a great lad and has been a good player for us. Whether I think he’s making the right decision or not? I don’t know.”
Wanklyn admits the loss of Bland will be a blow but the Satsumas boss is keen to point out that his side has had to make do without the striker for much of the season as he has been sidelined by injury. He said: “We will miss him but we did alright on Saturday without Blandy and we’ve played without him for six games this season yet we’re still top of the league. What this does is give opportunities for others to step up and fill his shoes. I’m always on the lookout for new players but I feel I already have players here capable of getting goals.”
Sean Wanklyn will also be absent at the weekend as he starts a three-game ban but goalkeeper Stuart Harris returns after a spell on the sidelines.
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Learning Curve - 9th October
Wayne Wanklyn says he learnt a lot about his squad following his side’s 4-2 Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup defeat against Reading Senior Division outfit Westwood United at the weekend.
The Wokingham and Emmbrook boss used the clash to give a run out to some of his players who have not featured so much in recent weeks, but a number failed to impress.
Wanklyn was left disappointed by the manner of the defeat, although he does admit that the County Intermediate Cup was the one competition he wasn’t really focusing on. He said: “I wasn’t too bothered about going out to be honest. I made five or six changes so that I could have a look at a few different things. They didn’t really work but that was the purpose of it. I learnt a lot on Saturday. I learnt a lot about the players I have in the squad and a lot of it I didn’t like. I’ve got a clearer picture now of the capabilities within the squad.”
Wanklyn admits he is still on the lookout for new players and just last week he left Roger Herridge in charge while he went to cast his eye over potential new recruits. He said: “I’m always looking to improve the squad but it’s difficult at this level to attract players. When we get up to speed with our facilities at Cantley and become the leading club in the area then it will be much easier.”
This Saturday Wokingham host Holyport and Wanklyn knows his team will have to be at the top of their game to get maximum points. He said: “Our next two games are Holyport and Newbury and they will both be tough, but if we can come away with two wins we will be in a very good position.”
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No Complacency - 2nd October
Wokingham and Emmbrook assistant manager Roger Herridge has warned his players against complacency when they take on Reading Senior Division side Westwood United this Saturday.
United, who won the Senior Division title last season, will make the journey to Cantley Park to take on the Satsumas in the first round of the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup.
They will meet a Wokingham side bang in form following their impressive showing against Easington Sports last weekend, but Herridge says his team must approach the clash as they would any other. He said: “When you play sides from the Reading League you know they will be a decent team who will fancy causing an upset. So we need to respect them and treat them as we would any side from our own division. They won the league last season so they are a good team and it will be a real test for our players.”
Herridge added: “We’ve got a few players missing and a few coming back so there will be a few changes. The game will give us a chance to rotate the side a bit but we are still looking to progress in this competition so will be taking nothing for granted. We want to go a long way in all the cups. It’s a tricky game for us but it’s one we’re confident of winning.”
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Wanklyn Happy For Break -25th September
Wayne Wanklyn feels his side’s two week break from League action has come at the perfect time.
Before the Satsumas next league game on October 11, they have a SBJ Insurance Brokers League Challenge Cup game this weekend and a Berks and Bucks Cup clash on the following Saturday.
Some managers would be frustrated at the prospect of a two week break, but Wanklyn insists it will do his team the world of good. He said: “It’s a nice break to have for a couple of weeks, it will take the pressure off for a bit. It was important for us to win last Saturday. Those three points meant we can relax a bit over the next fortnight knowing we’re in a strong position in the league. Now we can look at a couple of things during the cup games and give some other players a chance to impress. I think it will do us good.”
 Wanklyn will miss this Saturday’s game at Easington Sports because he will be casting his eye over a potential new signing. Assistant manager Roger Herridge will be in charge for the clash against the FTL Futbol Hellenic Division One (West) outfit.
Wokingham ensured they kept up the heat on league leaders Ascot United last weekend when they earned their first win in four at Launton Sports.
James Wise’s (pictured) solitary strike was enough to earn the three points for the Cantley Park side who kept their first clean sheet of the season.
Wanklyn said: “It was a professional performance. There were a lot of levellers, the pitch was awful, the officials weren’t much better and they tried to upset us. It was one of those games that you just wanted to win and then get out of there. The most pleasing thing was keeping a clean sheet, we looked really solid throughout which was encouraging.”
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| Difficult Spell - 12th September
Wokingham and Emmbrook boss Wayne Wanklyn admits his side are going through their first difficult spell of the season.
The Satsumas started their Ftl Futbol Hellenic League Division One East campaign with all guns blazing as five straight wins put them clear at the top of the table. But just one point from their last two games has seen them overtaken at the summit by Ascot United and Wanklyn knows his side must return to winning ways as quickly as possible.
“We’re not playing well at the moment, we’ve dropped five points in our last two games. Last Saturday was probably our worst display this season in terms of our overall performance. We were pretty poor and we need to pick things up. Ascot are ahead of us now but I’m not really worried about them at the moment. We just need to concentrate on winning our own games. There’s about half a dozen teams in the league who think they have a chance and we need to make sure we stay with them. The most important thing will be when we play those sides, they are games we must win.”
Wokingham travel to Englefield Green Rovers tomorrow and Wanklyn is wary of the threat they pose, despite their slow start to the season.
He said: “They’ve had a few strange results and probably haven’t started as well as they would have wanted to, but we know it will be a difficult game. We need to get back to winning ways and start finding our form again so the lads will be up for it on Saturday.”
Wanklyn’s squad could be boosted this weekend by the return of top scorer Richard Bland who has missed the last two games due to injury.
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| Satsuma Shye - 5th September
Wokingham & Emmbrook manager Wayne Wanklyn has warned his players they are a target after their storming start to the season in FTL Futbol Hellenic League Division 1 East.
The Satsumas won their first five games and sit at the top of the table despite losing out to local rivals Henley Town last Saturday.
Wokingham face Finchampstead in a local derby tomorrow and Wanklyn (pictured) believes teams will now up their game when they play the Cantley Park outfit. “The players now have to deal with sides who will want to come and beat you. We have to be really prepared to scrap for everything – and we are.”
Wokingham are unlikely to risk injured top-scorer Richard Bland against a Finch side targeting a mid-table finish. Carl Barrie (groin) and Joe Warner are unavailable for Finchampstead.
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| 7 Goal Bland Out? - 29th August
Unbeaten FTL Futbol Hellenic League Division 1 East, leaders Wokingham and Emmbrook entertain Henley Town at Cantley Park, but may have to make do without seven-goal Richard Bland, who limped out of Saturday’s game against South Kilburn.
The Satsumas will be favourties to continue their winning form as Henley endured a disastrous start to the season with a draw and two defeats, conceding nine goals in the process.
Henley have endured a disastrous start to the season with a draw and two defeats, conceding nine goals in the process.
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England Trials For Satsuma's Stars - 6th August
Wokingham & Emmbrook members of the FTL Futbol Hellenic League are proud to announce that the skills and dedication of two of the club's rising stars have been recognised by England and the F.A.
David Bellis (left) and Alex Walton (right) will be travelling to Keele University in Staffordshire to join up with other talented lads from around the country for the England Schoolboy trials at the end of August for a 5 day trial for the England squad.
David and Alex were star performers in last season's Championship winning Allied Counties under 18 squad and this season will again form the 'backbone' and now also the experience for the 'journey' into the challenging Allied Counties Premier Division.
In addition to performing for the achieving Forest School and County side's, last season David and Alex also effortlessly made the transition from youth football into the Wokingham & Emmbrook 1st team, where they regularly turned in 'man-of-the-match' performances ifor the club's young and developing side under manager Wayne Wanklyn. Both players are again expected to play a big part in this season's senior campaign with the club looking to progress with
the Hellenic League.
All at the Club wish them all the luck at their trial with the England Schoolboys set-up and hope to bring you the news about how they get on.
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