Wanderers 1 Royal Hunt 1

After seeing their unbeaten record shattered last week, Wanderers knew that they had to put in a performance against second-placed Royal Hunt.

The absence of the influential Ian Griffiths saw Jamie Ryall start on the right wing, whilst Paul Martin shrugged off an injury to take his place in attack.

Royal Hunt started brightly and put some early pressure on Wanderers, wearing their change colours of red. 

Just as Wokingham were starting to settle, they were hit by two injuries in the space of a minute.  First Andy Corless limped off following a reckless challenge on him.  Then, as Corless received treatment, Jamie Ryall was hurt in a challenge and put out of the game.  As an ambulance was called to treat Ryall's damaged Achilles, Edward Townsend came on to take his place, and Corless returned to the field to the relief of Wanderers.

This saw Royal Hunt's brightest spell in the game, and they took the lead when a cross wasn't defended and the free man smashed the ball past an unfortunate Allan Mellor.

As has so often been the case this season, the goal woke Wokingham up and their play improved.  First Tom Soane hit a shot wide from the edge of the box.  Then with ten minutes of the half remaining, Anthony Prior beat two men on the left wing and cut inside to square the ball to Martin, who saw his goalbound shot unwittingly blocked by the unlucky Soane.

Wanderers were fortunate not to find themselves 2-0 down however, as the Royal Hunt won a corner.  Dan van der Laan O'Donnell did well to head away, but the ball fell to a Royal Hunt player whose effort flashed across goal.

Just before the break Prior again found space on the left but was unable to pull the ball back to the waiting Tom Mansfield.  Soane then fired wide after a fine pass from Martin. 

Wanderers carried on where they had left off in the second half, and almost scored straight from the restart.  Martin ran towards goal and found Soane, whose low shot was blocked by the Royal Hunt 'keeper.

For the next twenty five minutes Wanderers enjoyed more of the play, as the defence of Chris Hillsdon, van der Laan O'Donnell, Corless and Chris Orbell provided formidable protection for Mellor.

Wokingham were patient in their approach and sensed that a goal could arrive as the service to Soane and Martin improved.  Soane hit a shot wide again, and then Prior had a free-kick saved as Wanderers continued to battle for the equaliser.  Clint Falcus was introduced as a replacement for Tom Mansfield, and he along with Scott Ford, won some key tackles in the middle of the pitch.

Ford almost created a Wanderers goal with a fine thirty yard pass to Prior, who just failed to reach the ball before the onrushing 'keeper.

With fifteen minutes remaining, the equaliser arrived.  A long ball found Soane and his shot was deflected onto the post.  Martin reacted fastest to hit a left-footed shot across the 'keeper and into the far corner of the net.

In the closing minutes, Wanderers' sheer determination saw them hold out and threaten a winner.  As full-time beckoned Prior's corner was tipped over for another corner kick, but the final whistle was blown as it was taken.

On the balance of play a draw was the fair result, although Wanderers may have edged it with their second half performance.  The effort was outstanding from every player, particular Townsend who was making his first appearance of the season in an unfavoured position.

TEAM: Allan Mellor, Chris Hillsdon, Dan van der Laan O'Donnell, Andy Corless, Chris Orbell, Jamie Ryall, Scott Ford, Tom Mansfield, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane, Paul Martin.

SUBS: Edward Townsend (for Ryall), Clint Falcus (for Mansfield) and Lewis Trusty (for Martin).