Wanderers 2 Sandhurst Social 6

Wanderers played another promoted side in Sandhurst Social in their first home game, hoping to bounce back from the disappointing opening day defeat to Woodley Hammers.

One again there were a number of absentees for the Blues.  Chris Atkins, Andy Corless, Craig Stimson and Richard Dobson were all unavailable, though Matt Pegg and Chris Hillsdon returned to the Wanderers' defence.

Mark Franklin came in at left back to make his debut for Wokingham.

Wokingham made a good start to the game.  An early chance nearly fell the way of Phil Soane after a through ball from Anthony Prior.

The match was fairly end-to-end in the opening ten minutes, and it was the visitors who scored first.  A counter attack broke down, but Nick Harding was beaten by a good shot from the edge of the box.

Wokingham were then forced to make a change as Franklin's debut came to an abrupt end.  Forced off with a thigh injury, he was replaced by Owen Holland.

Wanderers were quick to get back on level terms, with a good team goal.  Chris Orbell cleared the ball out to Jamie Ryall, who held play up well before passing to Prior.  He sidestepped a challenge and played a pass up the line to Tom Soane.  Soane showed good pace and strength to make his way into the box, and calmly side-footed into the corner of the net.

1-1 became 2-1 within a few minutes.  Again Wanderers countered well.  A clearance from the back was played first-time by Prior.  Tom Soane looked second-favourite, but chased well and rounded the goalkeeper before tapping home.

Unfortunately for Wanderers, they could not hold onto the lead for anytime at all.  A cross into the box looked like an easy catch for Harding, however he dropped the ball leaving two Sandhurst players to fight between themselves to bundle the ball home.

Harding redeemed himself later in the half.  A great shot from 20 yards looked like a certain goal, but the Wanderers' 'keeper produced a fine save to his right.

There was a fifth goal before the break and it fell the way of Sandhurst.  Harding was left exposed and was beaten by a good finish into the corner of the net.

Much like the previous week, Wanderers were second best in the second half, and Sandhurst created threatened much more, scoring three more goals.  They also hit the bar.

Wanderers kept battling and deserved to add to their tally.  Prior clipped the bar with a well-struck free-kick, then had a goal disallowed for offside.  Phil Soane then produced a great shot from just inside the box, but his effort struck the angle of bar and post. Prior, Soane hit bar

Tom Soane was a constant threat, and had a shot saved at the death.

Owen Holland made a good impression at right back, in his first Blues' appearance for over four years.

Wokingham's performance, particularly going forward, was reasonably positive once again.  The Blues will need to improve defensively when they face FC Diligent next week.

TEAM: Nick Harding, Chris Orbell, Matt Pegg, Chris Hillsdon, Mark Franklin, Phil Soane, Lewis Trusty, Jamie Ryall, Paul Martin, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane.

SUB: Owen Holland (for Franklin).