Reading City are 90 minutes from the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Winchester City.
The Cityzens would face Maidenhead Maidstone United at home in the next round if they were to get passed their opponents – who play two divisions higher in the Southern League Premier Division South.
In recent seasons Reading’s u18 side in partnership with JMA Reading have blazed a trail in FA competition – twice enjoying runs on the FA Youth Cup.
Such is City’s cup pedigree in recent seasons, manager Simon Johnson has been able to call on several youth prospects for first team duties in this season’s cup run.
He said: “Cal Stokes and Bobby Emery are in the squad for tonight, Bobby actually scored a hat trick for us last week in the FA Youth Cup.
“Funnily enough, Dan Warre who is in the squad played against us for Chippenham in 2020 Youth Cup.”
City are the lowest ranked side left in this seasons competition and will undoubtedly be keen to hold onto that moniker for as long as possible.
On Saturday it was Tyler D’Cruz who latched on to Eddie Lazarczuk’s long throw to get the leveller on 51 minutes. The blues will remain underdogs but we’d not bet against Johnson’s men.
The 2023/24 FA Cup Third Qualifying Round draw for Berkshire sides
- Bracknell Town vs Poole Town
- Reading City OR Winchester City vs Maidstone United
- Salisbury vs Slough Town
- Torquay United vs Hungerford Town
FA Cup Third Qualifying Round fixtures are due to be played on the weekend of Saturday 30th September 2023. A full list of round dates is here. The full FA Cup Third Qualifying Round draw is here.
