Wanderers 2 3M 1

Following their amazing comeback in the County Cup the previous week, Wanderers took on Second Division 3M in the First Round of the League Cup.

The only change from the Lower Earley match saw Kieron Sherwood start in place of Owen Holland on the right wing.

Wanderers started well and came close when Darren Wakeley passed to Tom Soane, who played a one-two with Anthony Prior before hitting a shot into the side-netting.

At the other end the Wanderers defence held firm and never looked like being breached.  Chris Hillsdon and Wakeley were linking up well with Sherwood and Alan Pearce on their respective wings.

Midway through the half the goal arrived.  Hillsdon cleared up the right wing and Prior got to the ball first and played a twenty yard pass through to Tom Soane, who forced the ball beyond the 3M 'keeper.

Wokingham were unlucky not to extend the lead soon after.  Tom Soane's cross was headed towards goal by Prior, only for the goalkeeper to pull off a superb save.

The second goal did arrive with the next attack.  Tom Soane's pass beat the offside trap and Prior took his time before finishing neatly into the bottom corner.  2-0 to Wanderers at half-time.

In the second half Wanderers could easily have extended their lead.  Pearce, Tom Soane and Prior all had good chances.  The Blues also hit the woodwork through a Scott Ford header and a Prior shot.

With twenty minutes remaining Wanderers made changes.  Chris Orbell marked his return from injury by replacing Sherwood on the right.  Shortly afterwards Holland came on for Pearce and Bambrough for Kinch. 

There were only two minutes remaining when a 3M free-kick from the halfway line was headed beyond Mellor - but Wanderers held on for a hard-fought win.

TEAM: Alan Mellor, Chris Hillsdon, Dan van der Laan O'Donnell, Clint Falcus, Darren Wakeley, Kieron Sherwood, Scott Ford, Andy Kinch, Alan Pearce, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane.

SUBS: Chris Orbell (for Sherwood), Owen Holland (for Pearce), Oliver Bambrough (for Kinch), Lewis Trusty (Not Used).