There’s a good mix of cup and league matches this weekend with plenty of football options in ten different divisions/competitions to choose from, all of course weather dependant.
Berks & Bucks FA County Senior Trophy
It’s semi-final action as Binfield make the long journey to Newport Pagnell Town with a place in the Berks & Bucks FA County Senior Trophy Final against Bracknell Town up for grabs.
Two five goal hauls in the past two matches will certainly buoy the Moles but NPT have just made the quarter finals of the Buildbase FA Vase and will start as favourites.
League form is mixed to say the least for NPT with focus on the FA Vase and its one win, two draws and four defeats from the last seven league outings.
Dominic Lawless is the main danger man for Roger Herridge’s side with 25 goals this term but Herridge can call upon 28 goals Liam Ferdinand who is certainly in fine form himself.
At a glance fixtures:
- Newport Pagnell Town vs Binfield
Berks & Bucks FA County Immediate Cup
We’ve got more semi-final action for you as Woodley United visit Spartan South Midlands Division One side Risborough Rangers in the Berks & Bucks FA County Intermediate Cup.
Both teams have won through four rounds and are evenly matched.
United have scored fifteen and conceded only two goals in the competition whilst Rangers have scored eleven and it’s also two goal conceded for them.
There were contrasting quarter finals with Michael Herbert’s side thrashing Great Horwood 5-0 but it took penalties for Risborough to see off Penn & Tylers Green following a 0-0 draw.
The other semi-final sees Thames Valley Premier League leaders Marlow United host North Berks League Division one side Kintbury Rangers.
At a glance fixtures:
- Risborough Rangers vs Woodley United
Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division
It’s a first home league match for Ascot United under Neil Richards leadership as Brimscombe & Thrupp travel from Gloucestershire.
It’s been a positive start under the new manager with a cup win over Rotherfield United followed up by a scoreless draw away at Royal Wootton Bassett Town last weekend when the Yellamen were more than a match for their hosts.
The Lilywhites are in great form and will provide a stern test for Ascot with five wins and a draw against title chasing Thame United in their last six league matches.
Against Thame they led 2-0 before being pegged back and they have certainly found their stride to climb up to eighth place.
At a glance fixtures:
- Ascot United vs Brimscombe & Thrupp
Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East
There’s only one league match featuring our sides and it’s a cracker of a local derby as Wokingham & Emmbrook host Finchampstead.
The sides met on Boxing Day in a fiery encounter where we had the privilege of watching when Finch edged it 2-1 as both sides ended the match with ten men.
Elliott Rushforth struck an early Sumas goal but Jonathan Malone and Matt Lambert scored for the home side before Lambert and Wokingham’s George Marsh got their marching orders.
It’s a run of three wins in a row for Jon Laugharne’s side whilst Clive McNelly’s Sumas have not played since New Year’s Eve due to weather issues.
Both AFC Aldermaston and Sandhurst Town are without matches.
At a glance fixtures:
- Wokingham & Emmbrook vs Finchampstead
Thames Valley Premier League
There was heart break for Berks County last night (Thursday) as they exited the Reading Invitation Challenge Cup after extra time defeat at Holyport.
Despite County leading three times, the home side fought back to win 4-3 so it’s back to league action tomorrow as Nathan Baker’s side travel to Rotherfield United.
It’s just one league win all season for United so County will start favourites and have new signing Ollie Noyes who is once again with the club available.
In Division 3, Berks County Reserves can match their best league record in seven years if they beat Woodley United ‘A’. The Swords will make it 15 wins in a row and 19 matches with out defeat – they have won all 13 league matches this season.
At a glance fixtures:
- Rotherfield United vs Berks County (kick-off 2pm)
- Berks County Reserves vs Woodley United ‘A’ (kick-off 2pm)
Reading Invitation Challenge Cup
On paper at least, there’s a big gulf as Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Bracknell Town journey to Tilehurst to face Thames Valley Premier League Division One side Westwood United in the cup more commonly called the Reading Senior Cup.
There may be a three division gap but Mark Tallentire plans to send a strong Robins side over as it’s their first match in two weeks and they are due to host title rivals Flackwell Heath next weekend Westwood be warned.
The hosts have been inactive even longer with no match since 7th January due to weather issues but home form is superb for United. With six league or cup games played at home they have six victories to show for it.
At a glance fixtures:
- Westwood United vs Bracknell Town (kick-off 2pm)
Suburban Football League
Both Binfield Reserves and Bracknell Town U21 entertain teams in the quarter finals of the Suburban League Challenge Cup and both sides have tough fixtures.
Premier Division second placed side Corinthian Casuals Reserves visit Stubbs Lane and have not lost a match since 8th October but they have not played since 10th December.
The teams met in October in the league when Ellis Woods’ side lost 4-1 with Joe Cole’s strike a mere consolation and it was 3-0 Casuals in the reverse league fixture the previous month.
If facing the second placed Premier Division side was daunting, well Liam Day’s young Robins have the even scarier task of hosting Premier Division league leaders Metropolitan Police Reserves.
Police have an in form Antonios Kozakis to call upon with and the striker has 28 goals in just 21 matches and has scored fifteen more goals than anyone else in the division.
Bracknell are in a good run in the Central Division and have not lost since 29th October with six wins and two draw since there so they will relish the challenge.
Not that one is needed, but an incentive for our two clubs is that the Robins and Moles would meet in the semi-finals in both can get through.
Ascot United Development are without a fixture tomorrow.
At a glance fixtures:
- Binfield Reserves vs Corinthian Casuals Reserves
- Bracknell Town U21 vs Metropolitan Police Reserves
Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 2 East
Its sixth vs fifth with one point and one place separating the teams as Sandhurst Town Reserves entertain Lynch Pin at Bottom Meadow.
The sides met in the reverse fixture on 12th November with the Fizzers losing by the narrowest margin 1-0.
It might have been a 5-0 loss last outing against Penn & Tylers Green Reserves but Sandhurst did win the previous four matches.
Lynch Pin won five in a row and their last match saw them lose 3-0 to Penn & Tylers Green Reserves so whilst it should be close, the visitors will maybe start ever so slight favourites.
There’s no match for Wokingham & Emmbrook Reserves this weekend.
At a glance fixtures:
- Sandhurst Town Reserves vs Lynch Pin (kick-off 2.15pm)
Sunday: Women’s Football
Following a 5-0 win at Fleet Town Ladies last weekend, Ascot United Ladies are home this Sunday when they host New Milton United in the Southern Region Women’s League Division One.
The Yellawomen are currently third whilst United are fourth so it promises to be a cracking encounter.
Also in Division One there is no match for Woodley United Ladies whilst Bracknell Town Ladies are without a fixture in the Premier Division.
In the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Division Two South, it’s a first match at Larges Lane for Bracknell Town Ladies Development as they entertain Taplow United Ladies.
After a shaky start, form has picked up for the Robins with a win and a draw in the last two matches.
Sandhurst Town Ladies are at home as they take on Barton Rovers Royals Ladies and fans can expect goals.
The Fizzers Ladies last four results are a 7-5 cup defeat against Carterton, a 7-3 league loss against Taplow, a 3-0 league win over Harefield and a 5-4 league victory over Holyport Ladies.
At a glance fixtures:
- Ascot United Ladies vs New Milton Town Ladies
- Bracknell Town Ladies Development vs Taplow United Ladies
- Sandhurst Town Ladies vs Barton Rovers Royals Ladies
All matches at 3pm unless otherwise stated. All women’s matches at 2pm unless otherwise stated.
