WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook produced a spirited performance, but it wasn’t quite good enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat at Hartley Wintney in their FA Vase first round tie on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

The Hampshire side are riding the crest of a wave, having won all 10 of their Combined Counties League games and, forgetting their penalty shoot-out defeat by Tadley Calleva in a Hampshire Cup tie, their only reverse in 21 games has come at the hands of National League side Eastbourne Borough in the FA Cup.

No wonder bookmakers Paddy Power quoted them as 1-6 prior to kick-off to win the tie with the Sumas 8-1.

Yet one Wokingham fan, having put £5 on his favourites, was smiling when his side started brightly and deservedly went ahead in the 15th minute through Elliott Rushforth.

Jordan Rowland and Jake Butler linked up well down the left and the latter’s cross was turned home by Rushforth from close range.

But Hartley Wintney quickly showed that they could match that move by equalising. Toby Jannaway and Sam Argent combined down the right to set up the chance for the unmarked Shane Hollamby, coming in at the far post.

Butler served up more problems for the hosts, getting behind the defence before delivering a cross which was cleared at the second attempt, but Wokingham were spending more time defending than attacking with Sean Woodward the busier of the two keepers.

It stayed that way early in the second half with Woodward having to spread himself to deny skipper Argent and then block the follow up.

Wintney, high on confidence, started to impose themselves more and more on the game, but, in a rare Wokingham attack, Rushforth forced Craig Atkinson into making a good save.

Sumas, however, were caught out in the 69th minute when they failed to pick up Argent, as he swooped in low to meet a left-wing cross with a header that gave Woodward no chance.

Luke Scope went close to equalising as Sumas worked hard to get back on level terms, while Sam Duffelen fired wide from the left when his two team-mates looked better placed in front of goal.

But Wokingham’s interest in the Vase was ended when a right-wing cross from substitute Zac Horkan saw the unchallenged Hollamby head home for his second and Wintney’s third.

The final scoreline should have been 3-2 but central defender James Charlton somehow managed to head past the Wintney post with Atkinson out of position.