The First Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup was drawn on Friday afternoon and features no less than eight Berkshire sides.
With Slough Town, Langley, Binfield, Reading City, Wokingham & Emmbrook, Bracknell Town, Thatcham Town and Ascot United all set to participate in the First Round Qualifying, we have put together a round-up of the respective fixtures in one handy guide.
Slough Town vs Harefield United
Starting with game 66 in the FA Youth Cup, Slough Town welcome fellow Allied Counties outfit Harefield United to Arbour Park after being awarded a walkover in the Preliminary rounds when drawn away to Chalfont St.Peter. It will be the first game played for both sides in this fixture as Harefield United were also awarded a walkover after drawing Rising Ballers Kensington.
Langley FC vs North Greenford United
Langley FC U18’s enjoyed a big win in the last round of this season’s competition when they came away from Leverstock Green with a 1-6 win. As a reward, Langley FC have been given a home tie against the Allied Counties North side they knocked out last season, North Greenford United. Langley’s opponents enjoyed a break in the last round as they were awarded a walkover due to London Tigers withdrawing from the competition.
The Slough side reached the Third Qualifying Round last season in blistering fashion with wins over Rayners Lane, Maidenhead United and North Greenford.
Thame United/Ardley United vs Binfield FC
Binfield navigated through a tricky last-round tie against fellow Allied Counties side Basingstoke Town. Despite going down to 10 men at 1-0, Binfield managed a 2-1 win on Thursday night and have been awarded an away trip to either Thame United or Ardley United FC in the First Qualifying round.
Reading City vs Wokingham & Emmbrook
The only ‘All Berkshire Tie’ and therefore, from our view, the tie of the round, sees last season’s exceptional performers Reading City host neighbours Wokingham & Emmbrook. Reading City, who are linked with John Madjeski Academy, enjoyed a 9-0 win yesterday (2.9.22) over Allied Counties West side Cove in order to confirm this all-Berkshire tie.
No doubt Reading City will be looking to emulate last season’s successes in this competition.
Wokingham & Embrook enjoyed a big win in the previous round themselves by defeating AFC Aldermaston 0-6 away from home. It will be a tough test for Wokingham & Embrook but they will undoubtedly go into this tie full of confidence.
Fleet Town vs Bracknell Town
Bracknell Town will travel over the border into Hampshire to face Fleet Town in the First Qualifying Round. The young Robins scored a very late winner in the previous round against a strong Hungerford Town side to book their place in the next round. A 7 goal thriller at Bullpit Lane put both Berkshire sides through their paces. Bracknell, who led 2-0 at half time were pegged back by Hungerford who came back to make it 3-3 and the tie looked destined for draw, until the dying seconds of the game where the Robins nicked a goal to win the tie.
Thatcham Town vs Fleet Spurs
Thatcham Town have been handed a home tie at the Stacatruc Stadium against Fleet Spurs after a really fantastic 2-4 away win against Procision Oxford, Didcot Town FC early last week. A big second 45 from Thatcham saw them take the victory after being 2-2 at half time. Thatcham had to hold on through a long stoppage time due to an injury stoppage in the 2nd half, we wish him well and hope he is back playing in the near future.
Ascot United vs North Leigh/Camberley Town
Ascot United have big plans this season at all levels of the football club and the under 18s side are no exception. The young Yellamen hosted Abingdon on Wednesday evening and were pushed all the way to final seconds of the game. Ascot went into the break a goal down and had to work hard after the break to create opportunities for the equaliser, they had to wait. After pushing their visitors, Ascot got a breakthrough and an equaliser in the 87th minute through Maghari. At this point the game looked to be ending in a score draw until the 94th minute, Muhammed Rashid found himself with an opportunity to win the game, and he did just that.
Ascot will play host to either North Leigh or Camberley Town whose game was abandoned due to a floodlight failure. The game will be rescheduled in the immediate future.
All ties are scheduled to take place week commencing 12th September 2022. We wish all Berkshire sides involved in the First Qualifying Round the best of luck.
