Satsumas boss quita fter loss

Published 10 Sep 2010 09:30

WAYNE Wanklyn quit his post at Wokingham & Emmbrook in the aftermath of their 3-2 defeat by Pegasus Juniors.

Newly-promoted Satsumas got off to an encouraging start in the Hellenic Premier Division campaign, but it seems Saturday’s loss was too much for Wanklyn to take.

Wokingham squandered yet another comfortable lead, this time going 2-0 up through Adam Cornell and Shane Cooper-Clark before shipping three second-half goals including two in the last 10 minutes against a Pegasus side many expected to struggle.

Wanklyn had seen enough and immediately handed over the reins to assistant Roger Herridge before releasing a statement which read: “After almost three years in charge I have decided to resign from my position as first-team manager.

“I have been very proud of what has been achieved at the club during the past three seasons and winning the Senior Cup, gaining promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division and getting off to a solid start are without doubt the highlights.

“However, in my view the time is right for a change to help continue the team’s development. A fresh approach with fresh ideas and new views is required.”

No-one would have been more disappointed to see Wanklyn step down than the players themselves.

They had formed a strong bond during the club’s march to promotion last season and the news came as a shock.

Satsumas made a dream start when Cornell raced onto Danny Horscroft’s pass before firing home with just 30 seconds gone.

Cornell limped off soon after but Wokingham recovered from the blow to double their lead five minutes before the interval when Horscroft drilled in a cross which Cooper-Clarke converted.

But the signs were ominous when Mark Smith headed home from a free-kick just four minutes after the re-start to reduce the deficit.

Wanklyn sensed danger and tweaked his side with Alex Walton and Chris Fower replacing Grant Lewin and Nicky Bateman.

And if Fower’s effort had gone in instead of drifting an inch over the bar, Satsumas may have been home and dry.

They soon rued that narrow miss when James Rusby conceded a penalty which Chris Mortlock struck away for the equaliser.

Then with minutes to go Mortlock swept home the winner to complete the comeback and seal a first win of the campaign for the Hereford-based hosts.

It was a fitting finale for retiring Redmen manager Steve Griffiths, but a sad finale to Wanklyn’s tenure.

Herridge knows cutting out their defensive mistakes is key to his and Wokingham’s success.

“We’re a young side and we have to learn,” he stated. “We were coasting at 2-0 but our fitness or mentality - or a combination of both - cost us.

“This is a tough league and mistakes get punished. We gave away needless fouls and opposition teams have big players who can hurt you.

“But there are positives. We’re still playing good football though our decision-making is letting us down.”

Wokingham entertain Oxford City Nomads at Larges Lane this Saturday (3pm) then host Thame United next Tuesday night in the AM Print and Copy Hellenic League Floodlit Cup second round (7.45pm).

Wokingham: Harris, Lee, Luis, Lewin (Walton), Wanklyn, Rusby, Bellis, Bateman (Fower), Cornell (Summers), Cooper-Clark, Horscroft. Sub not used: Duffelen.

Tweet

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @bracknellnews