WOKINGHAM and Emmbrook FC chairman Graham Tabor has praised Dan Bateman and Matt Eggleston following this week’s announcement both were standing down as joint managers of the Sumas, writes Dave Wright.

“They have done a great job,” he said. “Both are Sumas through and through.They love the club and the club loves them.

“They took on the partnership a couple of years ago and had a fantastic season last year.

“But as we have seen there is a big difference between Division One and the Premier Division with a lot of fixtures and a lot of travelling.

“It hasn’t been easy for them with results not going their way but they worked hard to keep the squad motivated I cannot think of a better pair who work together. They complement one and other.

“We fully understand their reasons for standing down, as they have families and their jobs to think about. We are pleased that they are not moving away from the club and they are still going to be involved.”

Tabor said the club had no hesitation in promoting Clive McNelly from reserve team manager, adding: “Clive is going to step up which is great, as he is a good motivator and we love him to bits.

“We are already looking forward to next season big time; we are looking to bounce straight back.

“We are looking to get the (Lowther Road) ground developed and that is looking quite positive at the moment.

“There is still some work to do, but the intention is to get to get back to Step Five in

the Premier Division and Clive is the man to get us there with support from Dan and Matt in the background.”

Despite being relegated after managing only 13 points from 38 games, McNelly is looking to keep the bulk of his squad for next season.

“There are a lot of boys who have been with me since the age of six or seven, so they know me well and hopefully we can get them to stay.

“I have had a brief chat with them and the general consensus is that they are all going to stay which would be great. But then things can happen as other clubs are going to talk to them without any shadow of doubt.”

Striker Luke Scope, centre-back Will Day and goalkeeper Sean Woodward are among three players likely to be wanted by Premier Division clubs.

“Hopefully they will stay and we will also be looking to strengthen the squad,” said McNelly.

As far as his replacement with the second string, McNelly commented: “We have people applying for the job, but there are a couple of lads within the reserves who I would like to take on as player manager.”

Wokingham were unable to provide Bateman and Eggleston (pictured) with a winning end to the season, as they were knocked out of the Reading Senior Cup on Monday when they lost 2-1 at local rivals Binfield in the quarter-finals.

Sumas had held the trophy for four seasons, having beaten the Moles in last year’s final.

Scope cancelled out Liam Ferdinand’s opening goal for Binfield in the first half and both sides missed chances before substitute Jean-Claude Etienne grabbed a late winner.

Binfield’s opponents in the semi-final will be league rivals Highmoor Ibis and the game will be played at the Reading club’s new home venue at Scours Lane on Saturday, April 30 (3pm).

Roger Herridge’s men have finished eighth in the table following their 4-2 victory over Longlevens last Saturday.

They secured the win thanks to two goals from substitute Etienne, and strikes from Brad Brown and Ferdinand.

Ferdinand ended the season with 22 league goals.

Bracknell Town visit Henley at The Triangle in a Senior Cup quarter-final tie this Saturday with the winners facing Thames Valley League Division One side Westwood United.

The Robins will be looking to bounce back to form after making a shock exit from the Hellenic League’s Supplementary Cup on Monday evening. They went down 2-1 in extra time to Didcot Town Reserves, who are third from bottom of

Division One East.

Seb Bowerman scored for Robins in the second half of the game which saw George Short sent off just before the end of extra time.

Bracknell sealed a final league placing of 14th after winning their final two games – 3-0 against Royal Wootton Bassett last Thursday and Milton United 5-1 on Saturday.

Johnnie Dyer, Ben Poynter and Luke Hanley netted against RWB, with Callum Whitty, Carl Davies, Adam Cornell, Kensley Maloney and sub Khalid Senussi on target against relegated Milton.

Assistant manager Steve Nebbett led the side on Saturday before ending his playing career with the club.

Ascot United finished fourth in the table on 76 points, 21 behind

champions Kidlington.