WOKINGHAM & Emmbrook manager Clive McNelly says he wants to stay with the club, writes Dave Wright.

There has been speculation about his future and he admits ‘lots of things have been said’.

Speaking after the Sumas had crushed pointless Wantage Town Reserves 9-0 on Monday, he told the News: “I work in a pub and some of my customers have come in and said ‘I’ve heard you’ve been sacked’ – but I told them that’s news to me.”

He added: “I have got a few things in mind and will be speaking to the chairman (Mark Ashwell). Dan Bateman (former manager) wants to come back, which is great news for the club, and he will return as manager.

“I will assist and help him.

“That’s the only reason I took this job on in the first place, as I knew Dan wanted to come back and hopefully he is going to do that.”

Bateman was also at Lowther Road on Monday as the Sumas bounced back from their 7-1 defeat at Headington Amateurs 48 hours earlier.

“We had a lot of players missing on Saturday,” commented McNelly.

“It’s quite a way to go and the pitch was awful.

“But the scoreline flattered them. We hit the woodwork three times and missed a penalty.

“Their goalkeeper was the man of the match, so that shows what sort of game it was.”

However, it was a totally different story against Wantage.

They had been hammered 10-0 at Finchampstead on Saturday and have gone through the entire season without even managing a point.

They had just 12 players available with the one substitute sitting by himself on the bench, with no team attendant and no physio.

And Wantage were fortunate not to have conceded more than nine goals.

Wokingham had a goal ruled out for offside and Matt Booth saw his penalty saved by keeper Aaron Timbrell before Elliot Rushworth opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

Booth had an effort ruled out for offside before Rushworth doubled the lead in the 36th minute.

A 2-0 half-time lead failed to reflect the Sumas’s dominance in the first half, but that changed in the second half, although they continued to squander numerous chances.

The busy Trimbrell also pulled off several smart saves.

Booth went on to score four goals with Dan Carter, Sam Lawrence and James Charlton completing the rout, with five goals coming in the last 10 minutes.

Wokingham are currently third from bottom.

However, they will move up a place if they beat Chalfont Wasps in their final league game at home this coming Saturday (3pm).