JAKE Wheeler was Wokingham and Emmbrook’s two-goal hero of their shock 3-2 win at Highworth on Monday, writes Dave Wright.

Sumas, tailed off at the foot of the table and already relegated, stopped Highworth moving up to fifth place by recording only their third Premier Division win of the season.

It was a particularly commendable effort as they travelled to The Elms without joint managers Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston, both on holiday, and with a number of players missing.

Reserve team manager Clive McNelly was in charge of the team, while Jack Herridge sat alone on the substitute’s bench.

Although last season’s FA Vase semi-finalists Highworth were not at full strength themselves, the odds were still heavily stacked against the Sumas; even more so when they had to play up the slope in the first half on a surface that looked very soft in places following heavy rain.

But they made a dream start, much to the disbelief of their 20 travelling fans.
Sumas took the lead in the eighth minute when Wheeler, who had earlier gone lose, turned home a right-wing cross from Luke Giles.

Within five minutes they scored again. 

Again they made ground down the right, with Wheeler also being involved, before Elliott Rushforth provided a smart finish, giving keeper Josh Gannon no chance from 12 yards.

Wokingham grew in confidence, but after 19 minutes they gave the ball away close to the Highworth area, and the home side broke away to score through Callum Parsons.

The Worthians, who had won 5-0 at the Triangle ground last November, were back in the game and started to pressurise the Sumas defence.

Although Wheeler burst through before being denied by Gannon, the Wiltshire side looked the more likely side to score in the second half going down the slope.

They wasted a couple of chances, while skipper TJ Bohane struck the crossbar and then saw another effort saved by Woodward with his legs.

So it came as no surprise when the Worthians did make it 2-2 through Ryan King in the 63rd minute and they were not far away from taking the lead with the Sumas defence being fully stretched.

But Wokingham returned the attack and forced two corners, the second of which saw them regain the lead. Left-back Ben Broadhurst sent an inswinger over from the right and, in a crowded goalmouth, Wheeler managed to flick the ball into the net.

Sam Whiting went close to increasing the lead with a free kick which the keeper managed to push around the post.

Late in the game, which saw seven minutes of stoppage time, there were a number of bookings before Highworth’s Toby Clark was sent off for using foul and abusive language.

Despite their lack of success, Wokingham have one of their largest away followings in the league and all their fans went home happy on Monday.
Wokingham had previously been beaten 3-2 by fellow strugglers Tuffley Rovers at The Triangle on Saturday.

Sumas made a disastrous start and trailed 3-0 at the break, but they grabbed a lifeline when Jordan Rowland slammed home a free kick early in the second half.

Will Day further cut the gap but was sent off late on as the visitors held on for victory despite further Wokingham pressure.