WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook remain rooted to the foot of the Hellenic Premier table after a comprehensive 4-0 home defeat by Brimscombe & Thrupp on Saturday.

They are now a full 12 points from safety and have the worst defensive record in the division.

Brimscombe arrived at Wokingham’s temporary home at Henley Town with an under-strength squad, and a bobbly pitch did little to help either side impose their passing game.

Wokingham’s nerves were evident from the very start when goalkeeper Sam Woodward fluffed his clearance straight to Brimscombe’s Simon Clarke who looked certain to score.

But Woodward made up for his error by scrambling back to his line to scoop the ball away.

In fact, Sumas were unlucky not to be ahead on 21 minutes when Luke Scope tapped the ball into an empty net after Brimscombe keeper Steve Sparrow had came off his line.

However, Scope had strayed offside in the move and the goal was chalked off.

The visitors fought back strongly and Sam Blackie went close with a header before the same player saw a shot saved by Woodward.

Blackie threatened again just before the interval when he intercepted a header back to Woodward, only for his shot to roll across the face of the Wokingham goal.

However, Sumas’ resistance was finally broken 10 minutes after the break when David Woodfield crossed for Simon Clarke to

convert.

Sumas were now under the cosh and it took a brilliant double save from Woodward to deny Blackie and then Ben Deakin to keep his side in it.

The Wokingham keeper then pulled off an even better save to palm a Blackie overhead kick destined for the top corner around the post at full stretch.

Despite being under the cosh, Wokingham almost made it 1-1 in the 74th minute when Will Day’s free-kick deflected an inch wide of Sparrow’s post, then moment later Scope’s effort narrowly missed the target.

But Brimscombe wrapped up the points in the closing stages after Blackie stabbed home from Woodfield’s cross for 2-0 and then scored again soon after from a Deakin assist.

There was still enough time left for Blackie to complete his hat-trick in the closing stages when then collected a Josh Jones pass before lobbing the on-rushing

Woodward.

Next up for the Sumas Binfield is a trip to local rivals Binfield this Saturday (1pm).