LUKE Scope scored twice as Wokingham & Emmbrook held Binfield to a 2-2 draw at Hill Farm Lane, writes Dave Wright.

The Sumas remain bottom of the Hellenic League Premier Division with their total points tally still in single figures.

They twice led seventh-placed Binfield but in the end had to be satisfied with a point despite playing against 10 men for nearly 70 minutes following a red card for home skipper Alex Luis.

Yet, if they continue to play with the same spirit as they did on Saturday, they should be capable of beating less strong sides than the Moles.

However, it has to be said that relegation is looking fairly certain, as Wokingham have only 11 games remaining and currently need 13 points to climb out of the bottom four.

Yet, despite their desperate-looking plight, the team have certainly not given up hope, as they proved with a very plucky and determined performance against Binfield.

“I still wouldn’t say we are already relegated,” said joint manager Dan Bateman after the game.

“The aim is to keep playing well and putting in performances like we did today.

“The most important thing is about us developing players.

“I know [Binfield manager Herridge] Roger has had an awful lot to do with players from both sides, and so have I, and I can’t help be proud of watching the two teams today as so many of them have come through the Wokingham youth section.

“This is what Wokingham is as a club. Whether players move on and play for other clubs in the area then that is up to them. But over the years we have developed a really good bunch of players and there was an awful lot of them on the pitch today.”

Perhaps not surprisingly then, there was little to choose between the two teams as they produced an entertaining game in front of a crowd of 216, easily Binfield’s biggest crowd of the season.

There were just two minutes 20 seconds on the clock when the Sumas took the lead through Scope, with his low shot going in off the post.

But by eight minutes the scores were level. ‘Keeper Sean Woodward failed to hold on to the ball and in the ensuing scramble gave away a penalty, which Josh Howell confidently despatched.

Binfield, however, were left with 10 men when Luis was red carded after 23 minutes, being the last man when he pulled down Scope just outside the area.

With Carl Withers moving from midfield to the back four, the home side enjoyed more possession but neither side was able to create many clear-cut chances for the rest of the half.

However, the second half started with good scoring opportunities being squandered at both ends.

Wokingham’s Dan Collier shot wide when well placed, while Brad Brown and Jemel Johnson both went close to putting the Moles ahead.

The Sumas enjoyed a good spell of possession around the hour mark with Jake Butler causing most of the problems for the home defence.

On the balance of play, they deservedly regained the lead after 76 minutes.

Josh Pearson, playing against his former club, featured in the build up. Withers slipped as he attempted his challenge and Scope nipped in to beat keeper Nathan Silver.

Wokingham worked hard to preserve their lead, which would have given them only their third win in 27 league games.

They held on to the 86th minute when Josh Howell’s cross from the right left Johnson with a simple tap in at the far post.

Silver and Woodward both had to make saves in the closing stages, but the Sumas had a real let off at the very end when substitute Mark Jordan, who had been on the pitch for only a few minutes, headed Howell’s cross wide of an open goal.

Wokingham, however, fully deserved to come away with a point.

When these two clubs meet in the league, the team who wins on aggregate receives the Martin Joyce Memorial Trophy, and it went to Binfield, as they had won 2-1 at The Triangle last August.

Joyce played for both clubs and it was his grandson, also called Martin, who made the presentation.

Binfield have another derby this Saturday when they take on Ascot United at The Racecourse ground (3pm), while Wokingham host Highmoor Ibis (3pm).