Joel Valentin has history with the FA Vase, being part of Binfield’s run to the Final in 2021 – but now he’s made his mark on the competition as Reading City edged through the First Qualifying Round.
Valentin didn’t make the squad for the Final at Wembley Stadium but more than played his part in the run that ultimately saw the Moles beaten 3-2 by Warrington Rylands.
Related: FA Trophy and FA Vase return: Will there be another great Berkshire story?
On Friday night, Valentin, now with City along with fellow former Moles Charlie York, Phil Veal and Will Shaw, was pulling the strings in midfield in the game against Abingdon United at the club’s temporary home of Henley Town.
McKoy Palmer gave City a 1-0 half time lead, but with 20 minutes to go the visitors were 2-1 up and within a kick of progress.
Valentin though had other ideas, with a last gasp equaliser to shift momentum and Luke Donville wrapped up a path to the Second Qualifying Round with a goal in the seventh minute of injury time.
Elsewhere, Sandhurst Town stunned Nailsea & Tickenham at Bottom Meadow. The Western League side had beaten Reading in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday night, so naturally a tough encounter was expected for the Fizzers.
However, in a brand new home kit, Adam Barnard’s side continued their strong start to the season with a 4-1 win thanks to goals from Maurice Black, Charlie Sell, Elliott Miles and Shane Qoloni.
Reading City’s Friday night win has earned a nostalgic away day to Fairford Town while Sandhurst Town keep it much more local with a visit to Wallingford & Crowmarsh in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round.
One other Friday night Berkshire tie saw Windsor draw 0-0 with PFC Victoria in the Combined Counties League Division One.
The weekend’s remaining 2024/25 FA Vase First Round Qualifying ties for Berkshire
- Holyport v Hillingdon Borough
- Clanfield 85 v Tadley Calleva
- Milton United v Woodley United
- Berks County v Calne Town
- Wokingham Town v Cheltenham Saracens (Sunday 3pm)
