DAN BATEMAN says he would not stand in the way if youngsters Connor Holland and Josh Harris were approached by other clubs.

The teenage pair both started for the Sumas in Monday night’s cup win over Woodley United with Holland finding the net in the 3-1 success.

And both were also in county action last month after being called up to represent Berks and Bucks County FA’s Under-18 side against Northamptonshire alongside a host of players from Reading FC and Maidenhead United.

“Josh came into the side last year and was excellent for us,” said Sumas boss Bateman.

“He’s made himself an important part of our first 11 this year.

“Connor came in in pre-season, stepped up from our U18s last year and he’s been excellent as well.

“They both thoroughly deserve their chance.

“The one thing that we’ve always done at Wokingham is to give youth an opportunity. If they’re good enough, they’re old enough.

“Those two most certainly are. I have no worries about throwing them straight into any situation that comes our way from a first team point of view and they deserve their chance at county level.”

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One possible downside to youngsters being picked at county level is that they could get snapped up by bigger clubs.

But Bateman says sees that as a positive, not a negative.

“I’m sure there will be scouts there and I’m sure they’ve got a good opportunity to get picked up,” he said.

“It’s not a worry. As far as I’m concerned, I am the Wokingham manager however if I get a young lad come my way and he gets the opportunity to go to a better club, then I’d take it every step of the way.

“The only thing that I ever say to any youngster is that you have to be really careful because the most important thing for them is to play.

“You see it at national level where people leave Chelsea and they go and sit on the bench here, there and everywhere. If young players aren’t playing then they don’t develop.

“If they do get the opportunity to go and play somewhere else then I’d never stand in a player’s way.

“All I would say to them is make sure you go to a place where you’re going to play because that’s how you’ll develop the best.”

Despite their poor start to the season, Bateman said he expected a stern test from struggling Woodley.

But Sumas were in front after just 15 minutes when Danny Blatchford sent Jake White clear to skip around the goalkeeper and tap in.

Back came the hosts, rattling the crossbar and applying the pressure to no avail.

At the other end Blatchford fired wide while Harris was also off target before Felix Davies made a good stop to keep the score 1-0 going into half-time.

And moments after the restart it was 2-0 with in-form Holland again getting on the score-sheet.

Kai Parton-Edey quickly pulled one back for Laugharne’s men, but the win was sealed when Sam Lawrence won a penalty which was tucked in by White for his second goal of the night.

Sumas had to end with 10 men after Lawrence was forced off injured with Bateman having already made all his subs with Blatchford also picking up a knock earlier in the evening.

“Have to be pleased with a scrappy win considering that was the third game in three days for a lot of them,” said Bateman.

“Running on empty towards the end and injuries and suspensions really beginning to hit.”

Sumas go to Wrightchoice and Unity CSA in the Berks and Bucks FA Senior Trophy on Saturday (3pm) before a Tuesday night trip to AFC Aldermaston in this Subsidiary Cup (7.45pm).

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