Plenty to go on this week as the FA Trophy and Women’s FA Cup kicked off, but there was plenty of action across the division’s not least with two new women’s teams picking up their first wins.
As ever, let us know your big weekend talking points in the comments below.
Double delight at Dartford’s Princes Park / Slough Town and Reading FC Women
Dartford played host to two Berkshire points raids this week as first Slough Town stunned the home side with a 2-1 win – only the Rebels second in the opening eight Vanarama National League South fixtures.
Scott Davies said after a 5-2 defeat in the previous game to Tonbridge Angels: “No team of mine (because it’s me that’s put it together) will ever give up like that ever again.”
Safe to say the Rebels have had a rocket lit underneath them because over the weekend goals from Dom Hutchinson and George Alexander saw them defeat top-of-the-table Aveley 2-0 at Arbour Park.
However, back to Princes Park and the double we were talking about. A good hunting ground for Berkshire sides as Reading FC Women left it late indeed to snatch a third point of the season in the FA Women’s Championship.
Lauren Wade scoring her first of the season in the sixth minute of second half injury time after Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah had given the home side the lead on 45 minutes.
Wade was understandably delighted at rescuing her side as you can see!
You can watch Lauren’s goal here:
Ascot winning their first ever FA Trophy game
14 FA competition games without loss is quite a record for a non-league side to have. Of course it helps if you are the reigning FA Vase holders and are still in this season’s FA Cup.
Which of course Ascot United are and following Saturday’s 3-2 win at Horndean they are still in the FA Trophy – a competition they are competing in for the first time in the clubs history.
Brendan Matthew (who else) got their all-important first goal and Sam Bello-Balogun and Matthew again got the other two in the opening 15 minutes.
The Yellas record of course will face it’s sternest test yet when they come up against Isthmian League Premier Lewes in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on Saturday.
MORE: FA Trophy: Binfield crash as Ascot United mark debut with a win
Mixed results in Women’s FA Cup openers
Three went in, two came out in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup First Qualifying Round on Sunday.
Slough Town made it through with a 5-2 win at Haddenham Youth but it was disappointment for Caversham United who suffered a 1-0 defeat.
Liam Ferdinand back among the goals for Bracknell Town
Bracknell Town were back amongst the goals on Saturday as Joe Grant and Nana Owusu struck in the first half. However the big one was the return of Liam Ferdinand to goalscoring action as Bracknell’s fearsome front line clicks into gear.
Watch out Southern League!
Burghfield / Mortimer derby
With Mortimer moving across to the Hellenic League a year ago, these West Berkshire village derbies that post-Covid attracted over 300 to the Alfred Palmer Memorial Ground had been few and far between.
Thankfully the Berks & Bucks County FA Cup pitched the neighbours together with Burghfield coming out 2-1 winners.
No word on any inventive road signs this time around mind..
Wokingham & Emmbrook women’s first game
It’s been a while since Wokingham & Emmbrook hosted women’s football, but their reformed side got off to the best of starts in the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Development Division with Rebecca Greig getting a hat trick in a 3-2 come from behind win against Longford Park FC Vixens.
I understand for some of the Sumas squad it was a first ever competitive fixture which is exactly what the TVCWFL Dev division is there for.
Another side making it’s debut this season are Maidenhead United Development who won their first game at the weekend, winning in the FA Women’s National League Reserve Cup on penalties.
Talking of the Sumas, who spotted Joao Jardim back on the scoresheet for the men’s team on Saturday? The striker is back from Badshot Lea and came off the bench to net in the seventh minute of injury time of a 5-1 win at Wembley.
MORE: Sumas superfan gives Wokingham & Emmbrook perfect start
