Wanderers crashed to a 2-1 defeat in their first away match of the season against Sunninghill Athletic.

The first half saw Wokingham struggle to retain possession, whilst the home team adopted a direct style.  Blues' goalkeeper Nick Harding made several early catches as long balls were hit over the Wokingham back four.

Tom Soane had the Blues' first chance after the Sunninghill 'keeper came out with Paul Martin through on goal.  Soane's effort dipped just over the crossbar.

Wokingham felt that they should have had a penalty after a quarter of an hour.  Paul Martin was clattered by the Sunninghill goalkeeper, but only a drop-ball resulted.

Twenty minutes into the match and Matt Pegg pulled up with a hamstring injury.  Jamie Ryall had started very well at left wing, but was dropped back to right back.  Andy Corless moved into the centre of defence and Anthony Prior came on on the left.

Prior nearly scored with his first touch from Steve Martin's free-kick.  His effort went across goal and Dave Griffiths narrowly failed to connect.

Sunninghill took the lead with thirty minutes on the clock.  Nick Harding saved from a corner but the rebound was tapped home from close range.

Harding then produced a fine save to deny an effort that was heading for the top corner.  Then after Corless bundled a Sunninghill forward over in the box, Harding saved a penalty low to his left.

Wanderers were unable to level the scores before the break.

In the second half Wokingham came back into the match more but were to fall further behind after an hour.  Harding's clearance stuck a Sunninghill forward and fell kindly for their captain, who produced a good lob over the Blues' goalkeeper and into the net.

Wanderers responded well to going further behind, and began to pass and attack with greater purpose.  Tom Soane produced a fierce volley that cannoned off the angle of bar and post.

Wokingham introduced Phil Soane and Clint Falcus, and so Paul Martin remained Wanderers' sole outlet up front.  He was full of running, but found two or more Sunninghill defenders in his path anytime he entered the final third.

With under ten minutes remaining Wanderers made it 2-1.  Sunninghill's 'keeper was ridiculed at by players from both teams as his frequent gamesmanship was punished by Tom Soane.  Having wasted considerable time before picking up the ball, Soane pressured him into hitting a poor clearance which struck the Blues' forward and ran towards the touchline.  Soane sent his significantly bulkier opponent flying with a strong shoulder barge, and then tapped into the empty net.

In the final minutes Wokingham pushed on in search of the equaliser.  Chris Orbell fired a long-range effort wide, then Prior's shot was headed off the line following a Steve Martin corner.

Wanderers kept fighting until the end and perhaps deserved something from their performance in the last twenty minutes.  They will be hoping for a better result in next week's match against Wroxton.

TEAM: Nick Harding, Andy Corless, Matt Pegg, Chris Hillsdon, Chris Orbell, Tom Soane, Steve Martin, Dave Griffiths, Jamie Ryall, Lewis Trusty, Paul Martin.

SUBS: Anthony Prior (for Pegg), Clint Falcus (for Trusty), and Phil Soane (for Ryall).