Two key players for their respective clubs returned from injury at the weekend and it was very welcome to see as Joe Grant took the field again for Bracknell Town and Emma Harries did likewise for Reading FC Women.
There were plenty of other talking points as well over the weekend so lets get stuck in.
Joe Grant returns
It was October 2021 when Joe Grant’s season ended abruptly with a ruptured ACL in a game against Uxbridge at Bottom Meadow.
A year of recovery finally came full circle on Saturday when Grant came on for the Robins in the 70th minute of their FA Cup win at Yate Town. Grants return is a timely one for Bracknell who lost their talisman Seb Bowerman a fortnight ago to Vanarama National League Dorking Wanderers.
Grant tweeted: “What a moment. Over a year since I stepped on the field for Bracknell. Top it off with a FA cup win. Owe everything to Seanagh McCarthy and Go Perform UK, my teammates and of course my family who were my rock through this journey!”
Emma Harries returns
We mentioned Harries in the preamble, her return has been slightly quicker but we’re sure no-less agonising for the Reading FC Women youngster. Harries made her return as a substitute five months after suffering an ACL injury playing for England under 23s against Holland in April.
Taking to Twitter after the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Sunday: “Wow! I am overwhelmed with the support and messages from yesterday’s game. It’s been the toughest 6 months of my career, but, I can finally say I’m back!! I want to say a massive thank you to everyone that has supported me through this tough time.”
A Devonshiring administerd
He did it again. The scourge of ex-Football League clubs struck again as Alan Devonshire led Maidenhead United to a 2-1 win at previously unbeaten table-toppers Chesterfield.
Koby Arthur and Ashley Nathaniel-George were the goal scorers, the latter an impressive stepover and bullet strike in to the near corner gave the Magpies their first win on the road this season.
Liam Tack
Exhausted just reading this but good on Liam Tack. 90 minutes and two goals for Binfield in their 5-3 FA Cup defeat at Beckenham Town on Saturday, then Sunday he gets up and casually does the London Marathon.
I need a sit down.
David Nyarko fires Thatcham Town debut hat-trick
What a way to make an entrance. David Nyarko joined Thatcham Town on Saturday on a months loan from Reading FC Academy and on Saturday he’d scored the first three of the Kingfishers five goals in a 5-1 rout of Isthmian League South Central Division One rivals Bedfont Sports.
Seb Bowerman scores
Of course he did. Seb Bowerman’s debut for Dorking Wanderers in ended with a goal in a 5-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge. Decent strike from range as well!
