STRUGGLING Wokingham & Emmbrook remain in the Hellenic League Premier Division bottom three after subsiding to a 4-1 home defeat against Brackley Town Saints, writes Richard Ashton.

The Sumas were missing 10 players and were only able to name one substitute, although they did make a bright start at the Invesco Triangle.

However, they fell behind when right back Mark O’Connell’s pass was intercepted by Matt Hammond, and he laid on a simple opportunity for Henry Jackson to slot home.

Hammond and Matt Johnson then had chances well saved by Sumas goalkeeper Sean Woodward, with Wokingham beginning to look nervy after conceding.

A vital point of the game arrived five minutes before the break, when Luke Scope robbed Brackley ‘keeper Piotr Jachuca of the ball, only to lose his composure and miss an open goal from 12 yards out.

And Brackley were 2-0 in front inside a minute as the Sumas failed to deal with a corner, Dean March blasting home to twist the knife into the hearts of Dan Bateman’s side.

Wokingham did have a couple of chances late on in the half, but Jachuca dealt with efforts from Jake Butler and Elliott Rushforth.

A further disaster struck the Sumas when their only substitute, James Clark, had to be taken off injured on 65 minutes, and Brackley put the game to bed shortly after when Joe Ward’s cut-back was rolled in by Hammond.

Wokingham continued to battle bravely, though, and Butler earned a penalty when he was man-handled in the box at a corner. The captain smashed his penalty home to give the Sumas a fleeting hope, but those aspirations were killed off late on as Johnson netted Brackley’s fourth.

Wokingham & Emmbrook visit Ascot United in the Challenge Cup on Saturday (3pm) and travel to Ardley United next Tuesday (7.45pm).

Finchampstead gained revenge for their defeat to Didcot Town Reserves earlier this season by thrashing the Oxfordshire side 3-0 in their Hellenic League Division One East encounter.

The home side were always in control and took the lead through Fred Barron on seven minutes, with the same player netting his second shortly after. When Greg Alexander made it 3-0 on 36 minutes, the game was as good as over.

Both sides missed chances in the second period but Finch deservedly held on for an excellent win as they climbed to sixth in the table.

Finchampstead host Chinnor this Saturday (3pm).

In the Combined Counties League Division One, Sandhurst Town took bragging rights with a 2-0 win at Farleigh Rovers, while second-placed Eversley & California crushed Cobham 6-2.

The Boars visit Brockenhurst in the Hampshire Senior Cup tonight (7.45pm) before travelling to Abbey Rangers on Saturday (3pm).

Sandhurst Town host Banstead Athletic this Saturday (3pm) and visit Cobham in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).