CLIVE McNelly received the perfect present in his last match as manager of Wokingham & Emmbrook Reserves – a cup winners’ medal, writes Dave Wright.

The Sumas pulled out all the stops to win the Hellenic League’s President’s Cup final by beating much-fancied Oxford City Nomads Development 1-0.
The tie was McNelly’s last before he moves up to become manager of the club’s first team.

“Yes, it was a good way for me to finish. I could not be happier,” said McNelly.

It wasn’t a particularly successful season for Sumas’ second string, as they finished second from bottom of Division Two East.

And they were certainly not expected to beat an Oxford side that had stormed away with the Division Two West title without losing a game.

So last week’s victory came as something of a shock, and McNelly can take some credit for it.

“We went out there with a game plan, and the lads really struck to it well,” he said.

“The idea was to frustrate them as much as possible. We knew Oxford were a quality side who play some good one-touch football.

“But we tried to stop them by closing them down as much as possible, and we did just that; so all credit to my lads.

“I said to them at half-time ‘keep a clean sheet and the cup is yours’ and that is what they have done.

“I knew we were capable of nicking goal from somewhere and it came from a good finish from James Payne.

“We went away the other week and lost 10-0; so to come here and get a result like this is fantastic. I am really pleased.”

And so were the 30 plus supporters who watched the final on a bitterly cold night at Henley Town last week.

One fan said: “Clive has been the ‘glue’ of our club for many a year and nobody deserves this win more than him. He is an absolute hero in my eyes.”

With Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston standing down, McNelly has been appointed manager of the first team who, following their relegation, will be back playing in Hellenic Division One East.

“I am already looking forward to next season,” he added.