Wanderers suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of lowly Nam following another below-par
performance.
The Blues’ cause wasn’t helped by the late loss of
Mark Timms and Phil Soane, who were unable to make the journey to Barkham Rec. Jamie
Ryall admirably stepped forward to start in goal for Wanderers.
Within five minutes of kick off Ryall was picking the ball out
of the net. Chris Orbell did well to win a header, but could only diver the ball
behind him. The AFC Nam winger cut the ball back and Wanderers’ stand-in
‘keeper had no chance as the ball was blasted high into the net from close range.
Wokingham battled back, but struggled to create any clear openings. New captain Dave Griffiths linked up with brother Ian before shooting wide of the
goal from twenty five yards.
Then Orbell found Anthony Prior who released Tom Soane on the left wing. Soane’s cross was met by the flying Darren Wakley, but his shot was parried
away by Nam’s ‘keeper.
Midway through the half, Wokingham did find the equaliser. Ian Griffiths’ cross from the right was fumbled by the Nam goalkeeper and the ball slipped under him and into the net.
Nam gave the ball away from the restart and Paul Martin collected with an excellent touch.
He played the ball square to Dave Griffiths, who surged into the box before passing across for Tom Soane to fire home.
This should have seen Wanderers go on to take control of the match, but instead
they sat back and Nam fought for an equaliser. It came
following an attack down their left side, and Ryall was left with little chance as the ball was placed past him into the bottom
corner.
Before the break Nam scored again. A high ball into the box was met by a looping header, which again left Ryall with little chance.
The second half saw Wanderers create the necessary chances to
get back into the game, however their task was made significantly more difficult when they conceded a fourth goal on the hour
mark. An attack down their right wing left Ryall exposed, and he was beaten from
close range.
Wokingham produced a positive response, but found a formidable
opponent in the AFC Nam goalkeeper. He twice denied both Dave Griffiths and Prior,
and then made further saves from Martin and Tom Soane.
The Blues introduced Lewis Trusty and Clint Falcus in an attempt to get back in
the game, and reverted to a 3-5-2 formation.
A Dan van der Laan O’Donnell header from an Ian Griffiths
corner gave them hope, but an equaliser could not be found.
