A look at the big talking points from the weekend’s football action across Berkshire.
From a big old knee-slide attempt to another penalty shoot-out success. As ever tell what we’ve missed in the comments below.
Scott Davies goal celebration didn’t quite go to plan
Slough Town player/manager Scott Davies had some big shoes to fill when he took over from long-serving Rebels duo Neil Baker and Jon Underwood at the end of last year.
As well as managing the side with Lee Togwell, Davies is still racking up appearances (150 now to be precise) and banging in long-range efforts like the free-kick he struck perfectly in the 2-1 win against St Albans City at the weekend.
Wheeling away in celebration, the Clarence Park turf wasn’t quite as obliging as the Saints goal, as this clip shows:
The goal proved more than worth any momentary embarrassment, the win ending a three-game losing streak with Davies saying: “That’s probably the most tired I’ve seen the changing room and that just shows that everyone gave absolutely everything and that’s all we can ask for against a very good side. Not one individual stood out more than anyone else, it was a proper team effort.”
Talking of Neil Baker and Jon Underwood
The legendary Rebels duo have just taken over at Southern League Premier Division South Beaconsfield Town with the club 12th in the division and a consistent run away from making a play-off charge.
The pair will be somewhat familiar with Holloways Park have started their Slough managerial careers ground-sharing with the Buckinghamshire side.
Games of note to come for the club formerly known as Beaconsfield SYCOB include trips to Winchester City, Weston-super-Mare and a side both players captained in their playing days, Bracknell Town, on Monday 10th April.
Lauren Wade the penalty hero for Reading FC Women in the FA Cup
FA WSL sides Tottenham Hotspur and Reading FC Women couldn’t be separated across 120 minutes in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round tie at Leyton Orient on the weekend so it fell again to penalty kicks as it had in the Fourth Round against Leicester City.
Grace Moloney was once again between the sticks for the cup tie, but this time the hero moment fell to Northern Ireland international Wade to convert the decisive kick after Kerys Harrop had missed the third for Spurs.
When the Women’s FA Cup Quarter Final draw will take place
Update: The draw has been made and it’s a tough one for Reading
Reading now move into the Quarter Finals of the 2022/23 Vitality Women’s FA Cup where they could face Birmingham City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Lewes, Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion or Manchester City.
The draw is due to take place on Monday 27th February from 7pm on BBC One’s The One Show.
Yateley United seal Thames Valley Premier League title
It’s been nailed on for a while now but on Saturday Yateley United confirmed themselves as Thames Valley Premier League title winners with a 4-3 win over Burghfield at Sean Devereux Park.
The North Hampshire side have won all 16 games so far and will undoubtedly look to make it 20 from 20 now with four games to go.
The club though will have to wait until May to find out whether their application for promotion has been accepted by the FA and they can take their place at Step 6 next season.
Burghfield and Bracknell Rangers seal all-Berkshire County Cup Final
No messing about from Reading and Bracknell Sunday League sides in the County Cups this weekend as Burghfield and Bracknell Rangers booked their places in the final.
Burghfield beat FC BAPCO 4-2 on Sunday while Bracknell Rangers thumped Old Bradwell United 5-1.
Bracknell Town’s club secretary to step down
The football club secretary is probably the hardest job in the game. Keeping on top of the needs of the managers and players, the chairman, signing players, organising, fines, emails. So we doff our cap to anyone who does it – having seen first-hand how difficult and rewarding the role is.
And it is with sadness we note Ricky Simons stepping down at Bracknell Town. Ricky has always been open to us and has done a terrific job while seeing his club move grounds, win promotions and gain national attention in the FA Cup. Great job Ricky, now enjoy the games!
