Slough Town beat Reading FC’s 40-year record and on verge of FA Cup history

For the first time in 40 years, a Berkshire side other than Reading FC will hold the title of going furthest in the FA Cup.

It almost happened two years ago when Reading, Maidenhead United, Slough Town and Bracknell Town were all in the First Round; however, only the Royals won their tie, beating MK Dons 3-2 at home.

On Saturday it did finally happen when Slough beat Altrincham 2-1 on Saturday with goals from Ansu Janneh and Wiktor Makowski, beating a side a division higher in the Enterprise National League, while Reading under new manager Leam Richardson capitulated from 2-0 up at home to Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United, losing 3-2 with Regan Linney scoring twice in injury time before completing his hat-trick in Extra Time.

Scott Davies’ side have been drawn at home in the 25/26 FA Cup Second Round to National League North Macclesfield and could break an FA Cup record of their own were they to reach the Third Round Proper.

1982/83 was the last time it happened when Slough, again, beat Millwall in the First Round while Reading lost to Bishops Stortford.

It was a difficult period for Reading, who were bouncing between what is now League One and League Two, the Biscuitmen (as they were), were relegated at the end of the season along with Wrexham, Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield.

However, things would start to turn a corner for the club particularly in the FA Cup with a run to the Fourth Round in 85/86 and a Third Round tie at home to Arsenal the following season where they were beaten 3-1.

Back to Slough in 82/83, and as fate would have it, the Rebels progress was halted by Reading’s conquerors Bishop’s Stortford, who won 4-1 at Wexham Park. The match, as many Rebels fans of a certain vintage will know, had highlights shown on television.

The Blues opening goal early in the second half involved a heavy challenge on Slough goalkeeper Kevin Mitchell that would know doubt have had screaming into the Twitter void were it to happen today.

Slough Town’s report from the game is here.

Archive: East Berkshire’s FA Cup first round proper heroes

What of Bishop’s Stortford? Their FA Cup run came to an end in the Third Round when they lost a replay at home to Football League Division Two (now Championship) Middlesbrough 2-1 after drawing 2-2 at Ayresome Park.

If there was an element of revenge for the Rebels, Slough finished the Isthmian League Premier Division season in seventh, ahead of Bishop’s Stortford who ended the season 13th.

Slough Town’s 1982/83 FA Cup run

1Q Salisbury (H) 2-0
2Q Basingstoke Town (A) 2-2
2Qr Basingstoke Town (H) 2-0
3Q Frome Town (H) 3-0
4Q Bideford (H) 7-1
1R Millwall (H) 1-0
2R Bishop's Stortford (H) 1-4

Reading FC’s 1982/83 FA Cup run

1R Bishop's Stortford (H) 1-2

FA Cup data courtesy of the excellent FCHD website.

Are Slough Town Berkshire’s most successful FA Cup side?

There’s certainly an argument Slough Town are Berkshire’s most successful FA Cup side. The Rebels have reached the Second Round three times since 2017/18 when they were beaten by Rochdale and Gillingham the following season.

Last season the Rebels lost a Fourth Qualifying Round tie at Woking 2-1 and a season earlier, took EFL League Two Grimsby Town to a replay after a Scott Davies’s stunner earned a 1-1 draw at Arbour Park.

Against this argument though is an FA Cup record Slough hold as the club with the most amount of entries into the Second Round without progressing to the Third, currently nine times.

Reading fans would certainly argue their club are more successful, particularly after 2015s narrow semi-final defeat to Arsenal at Wembley. The Royals however, typically join the competition after most Berkshire sides are already out, though they did reach the Fifth Round in 19/20 and Quarter Final in 15/16.

When is Slough Town vs Macclesfield in the FA Cup Second Round?

Slough Town’s 2025/26 FA Cup Second Round tie with Macclesfield is due to take place on the weekend of Saturday 6th December. When tickets are available, they’ll be on sale through the club’s Ticket Store here.

As per FA Cup rules, there are no replays in the ‘Proper’ Rounds and the match will be decided by penalties if the scores are level following 30 minutes extra time.

Before the Macclesfield tie, Slough have a host of National League ties and an FA Trophy tie at home to Southern League Gloucester City.