“It shows how far we’ve come” Reading City prepare for historic FA Vase Fourth Round challenge

Reading City prepare to host Essex side Lymore Gardens on Saturday in the FA Vase Fourth Round with boss Simon Johnson already proud of his side.

The Cityzens are on a best ever run in the competition having beaten Mendip Broadwalk, Baffins Milton Rovers, Erith & Belvedere and Snodland Town already.

Manager Simon Johnson told Football in Berkshire: “This run is a reflection of the wider progress the club continues to make. To be competing at this stage of a national competition shows how far Reading City has come and what is possible when everyone pulls in the same direction.

“Whatever the outcome, the experiences gained, the memories created and the pride felt in representing this club at this level will stay with us. It’s another important chapter in our story, and one we are all determined to continue writing together.”

City are joined by their Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League North rivals, Windsor & Eton, who host Fisher at Stag Meadow.

Partly due to the FA Vase runs, both clubs are behind with their fixtures, having played fewer games than all the other sides in the Premier Division North.

The Royalists are due to visit Rivermoor for a league fixture on Tuesday, January 27th. City and Windsor will be buoyed by the fact that Berkshire clubs have a good record in the competition, with three having reached the final at Wembley in recent times.

Thatcham beat Stockton 1-0 in 2018; Binfield lost 3-2 to Warrington Rylands in 2021, both Binfield goals coming from Reading-based Liam Ferdinand, and Ascot United inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Newport Pagnell in the 2023 all-Berks & Bucks FA final.

The full 2025/26 FA Vase Fourth Round ties are:

• Droylsden v Sherwood Colliery
• South Liverpool v Winsford United
• Chadderton v North Shields
• West Didsbury & Chorlton v Nelson
• Coventry United v Oadby Town
• Bilston Town v Gresley Rovers
• Heather St Johns v Gornal Athletic
• Benfleet v Punjab United
• Cockfosters v Crawley Down Gatwick
• Great Yarmouth Town v Haywards Heath Town
• Harpenden Town v Whitstable Town
• Hallen v Hythe & Dibden
• Barnstaple Town v AFC Stoneham
• Downton v Slimbridge AFC
• Windsor & Eton vs Fisher
• Reading City vs Lymore Gardens

Each winning team will receive £1,875 from the FA Prize Fund, with £600 going to the losers. The Fifth Round will be played on February 7th and the Sixth Round on February 28th.

The semi-finals are over two legs, on March 28th and April 4th. The final is at Wembley on Sunday, May 17th.