Wokingham & Emmbrook FC were hit for six by high-flying Thatcham Town at The Triangle ground on Tuesday night.

“Our big problem is we just cannot get a consistent side out,” said manager Dan Bateman following his side's 6-1 defeat which leaves them firmly rooted at the bottom of the Hellenic League's Premier Division.

“We were 12 players missing tonight. We had two lads (Michael Flatman from the reserves and Liam Wheeler, a new signing from Camberley) making their debuts and another making only his second appearance for the club.

“It was a little bit of square pegs in round holes against a Thatcham side with a very strong squad. But even with a full squad I think we would have struggled to match them. They are a good side and we won't be the last club to get a hiding from them this season.”

Yet the Sumas, who had lost 2-1 at Royal Wootton Bassett last Saturday, went in at half-time on level terms. That was largely due to the brilliance of keeper Sean Woodward, who pulled off a series of splendid saves.

He was only beaten once in the opening half and that came from a thumping Mark James header on 17 minutes.

Despite being under the cosh for most of the time, Sumas broke away to equalise just before the interval with a fine finish from Luke Scope, who lobbed keeper Chris Rackley.

“We competed well for 45 minutes and I thought we deserved to be on

level terms,” added Bateman.

“It gave us back some confidence. After going 3-1 down we missed a great opportunity to get back in the game, but the fourth goal killed

us. We ran out of legs and after that it was a walk in the park for them.”

Adam Morris restored Thatcham's lead in the 51st minute and Mark Hughes made it 3-1 just before the hour mark.

The Kingfishers then brought on substitutes Ian Davies and Bradley Pagliaroli and their first touches saw the latter set up a goal for

Davies.

Former Binfield striker Davies hit the crossbar before right-back Hughes netted his second goal and Thatcham's fifth.

Sub Josh Baines completed the scoring three minutes from time.

Of the 12 players unable to play on Tuesday, Bateman is expecting half of them to be available for the FA Vase second qualifying round tie against Hellenic League Division 1 West strugglers Shrivenham at The Triangle in Henley on Saturday (3pm).

Ascot United, beaten 2-1 at Thatcham on Saturday, returned to winning ways on Tuesday by beating Abingdon United 3-0 at The Racecourse ground.

Gurkan Gokmen and Jamie West scored in the first half and Bradley Fraser in the second. The Yellaman face a tough game against fellow high fliers Highmoor

Ibis at Reading's Palmer Park on Saturday.

Bracknell Town, who beat Chinnor 1-0 in the Bluefin Sports Cup last weekend, are away to Wessex League side Alton in the FA Vase on Saturday.