WOKINGHAM & EMMBROOK climbed up to 12th in the Combined Counties Premier North as they earned three points in a tight contest against Wallingford & Crowmash.
The only goal of the game was scored in the second-half by Ryan Millward who towered above the Wallingford defence to head in the winner.
With the two teams starting the day next to each other in midtable, the Sumas had their sights on pushing towards the top half.
The visitors started the stronger of the two sides and controlled the early parts of the game.
The first opening of the match fell for Wallingford as the ball dropped for Aiden Higgs who slashed the ball over the top on the half volley.
The Sumas began to work their way into the match and Jake Woods had their first meaningful attempt when he spun on the edge of the box and missed the target by a few yards.
Wokingham were starting to assert themselves and a sublime touch from Jack McKenzie brought the ball under his spell before his shot was stopped by the keeper at the near post.
The Sumas had an appeal for a penalty in the 34th minute when Woods claimed to have had his heels clipped from behind in the box, but the referee saw the incident differently and booked him for simulation.
The teams went into the break goalless, but it was the hosts who eventually broke the deadlock in the 66th minute at Lowther Road.
Woods delivered an excellent delivery from a set piece and it was Millward who managed to climb above the Wallingford defence to head past the keeper with a tidy finish.
Wallingford tried to work their way back into the match, but they faced a solidly set-up Sumas back line who managed to frustrate them and limit their chances throughout.
The Sumas’ defence proved too strong as they picked up a well deserved clean sheet on their way to claiming three points.
Next up for Matt Cronan’s side is an away trip to 15th placed Risborough Rangers.
Sumas: Fantochhio, Wilson, Hanworth, West, Sale, Goodwin, Badshah, Wright, Millward, McKenzie, Woods
Subs: Gethin-Barkway, Martin, Treacher, Jardim
Wallingford & Crowmarsh: Perry, Taylor, Parsons, Gubbins, Preen, Isaac, Higgs, Aitchinson, Gray, Inyang, Walton
Subs: Bestley, Young, Castle, Riley, East
Goals: Millward 66’
