Wanderers started the season with an away match against promoted Woodley Hammers.

With Chris Atkins, Chris Hillsdon, Matt Pegg and Andy Corless all unavailable, Phil Soane, Lewis Trusty and Jamie Ryall joined Chris Orbell in a makeshift defence. 

The Blues welcomed debutants Craig Stimson and Richard Dobson, who were paired in centre midfield.

The game started at a reasonable tempo.  Stimson and Dobson quickly got into the game for the Blues, who passed well without creating much in the way of chances.

Woodley adopted a direct style throughout the game, and enjoyed early success.  Nick Harding was quick to come off his line on several occasions to keep the visitors at bay.

Wokingham came close to taking the lead after twenty minutes through Ian Griffiths.  His free-kick was well struck, but the ‘keeper parried the shot behind for a corner.

The first goal came a few minutes later, and it was the visitors who scored it.  A quick counter-attack saw the ball crossed low from the right, and the Woodley forward tapped into an empty net.

Wokingham’s reply was positive, although there was still a lack of chances for the Blues.  Their passing was getting better however, and there was good link up play between the midfield and forwards Soane and Martin.

The equaliser arrived through very direct means.  Nick Harding’s long kick upfield was not dealt with, and Tom Soane took the ball into the box and shot into the corner of the net.

Unfortunately Wokingham couldn’t hold onto the lead, and conceded twice before the interval.  Firstly Jamie Ryall’s lunge saw a penalty awarded to Woodley, and it was dispatched to Harding’s left.  Then a Lewis Trusty header back was intercepted and the exposed Harding was beaten again.

In the second half Wanderers found it harder to deal with Woodley’s movement and long passing.  A fourth goal followed on the hour mark.

A change in positions saw Phil Soane swap with Anthony Prior, and the move quickly brought a second Wanderers’ goal.  A good team move ended with Stimson, Martin and Tom Soane finding Phil Soane, who finished calmly to make it 4-2.

Again Woodley were quick to hit back, and a fifth goal was hit beyond Harding.

A long-range free-kick from Prior was fumbled by the Woodley goalkeeper to make the scoreline 5-3, and give Wanderers some hope in the last fifteen minutes.

However once again Woodley were quick to kill off the Blues.  A slip by Orbell in the closing minutes saw Woodley’s forward complete his hat-trick with a well struck first-time shot past Harding.

Although the result was disappointing, Wanderers took some positives out of the match as they looked comfortable on the ball.  New boys Stimson and Dobson settled in instantly too.

TEAM: Nick Harding, Phil Soane, Lewis Trusty, Jamie Ryall, Chris Orbell, Ian Griffiths, Craig Stimson, Richard Dobson, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane, Paul Martin.

SUBS: Richard Pooley (for P Soane) and Peter Killingworth (Not Used).