Reading City down to the ‘final 7’
14 games into the Combined Counties League Premier Division North season and Reading City proudly sit second in the table, a point behind leaders Ascot United.
The Cityzens have started the season brilliantly, scoring the most goals in the division (42) and conceding the least (9) with former goalkeeper Tyler D’Cruz leading the line with 14 goals in all competitions.
Simon Johnson’s side are also one of just seven teams left in the country yet to suffer defeat – leaders Ascot have been beaten once but won their other 13 games while City have drawn two. According to Non League Bible they sit alongside Spalding United, Campion, Loughborough Students, AFC Porcester, Andover New Street and Shoreham in the ‘unbeaten’ stakes.
However long this run continues, City at home to Ascot United on Tuesday 6th December promises to be an absolute barn-stormer.
Talking of which, Newbury..
We aren’t entirely sure why Newbury don’t feature in that list – well it’s probably because the Hellenic League Division Two’s sit outside the non-league football pyramid – but the West Berkshire side are proudly on eight wins from eight.
Even madder, the team have scored 32 goals so far – 11 through George Armstrong – while conceding just two and are eight points clear of nearest rivals Watlington Town at the top of Division Two East.
The club is working toward a return to their home town but currently play out at Lambourn Sports. Their Twitter account is worth a follow as they regularly join forces with fellow West Berks sides Thatcham Town and Hungerford Town for a promotional offer or two.
A clean sheet for Jackie Burns
Some light relief from FA Women’s Super League endeavours at the weekend as Reading FC Women travelled down to Southampton and St Mary’s Stadium for a Continental Cup clash.
A remarkable 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Thursday was followed up with a 3-0 win that gave a little bit of light relief to Kelly Chambers side and goalkeeper Jackie Burns, back in the side after missing Thursday’s game through suspension.
Burns appears to have usurped long-serving Grace Moloney as the club’s number one this season but both ‘keepers have been busy, this being the team’s first clean sheet of the season.
As well as a clean sheet for Burns and her defence, there was the welcome site of Becky Jane back in Reading colours, her first appearance since returning to the club in the summer from Liverpool. It was her first appearance for the club since 11th May 2019 when she played against Chelsea Women.
Harrison Bayley is influential as Binfield leave it late
A second debut for everyone’s favourite (unless he’s playing against you) midfielder Harrison Bayley at Binfield this season. His second second debut of the season (we think) after his return to Hungerford Town in the summer. Bayley though knows his way around Step 4 and helped the Moles to a second straight home win, although it took a late Brad Pagliaroli penalty to see off Leatherhead in a 2-1 win – and two subsequent red cards for the visitors.
And finally.. a very Sunday League celebration
A celebration in a way only Sunday League could do. This was a Tilehurst Teslas player during their fixture with BAS in the County Cup.
