A break from Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North action as Simon Johnson and his Cityzens return home to the Rivermoor tomorrow as we continue our Emirates FA Cup Adventure where we’ll welcome Nailsea & Tickenham to RG30.

Johnson will be looking to his side return to winning ways after last weekend’s defeat on the road to North Greenford Road.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

At the end of the 2014/15 Football season a meeting took place between officials from Nailsea Town and  Tickenham United Football Club. From this meeting it was agreed that the pooling of resources would present an opportunity to become the first club in Nailsea’s history to  offer Western League Football. Nailsea and Tickenham FC was born.

The previous nicknames of Nailsea Town and Tickenham Utd were the Swans and the Stags and a new nickname “ The SWAGS “ was created.

Since the merger, the club has finished in the top three of the  Somerset County Premier Division , twice as Runners Up, also winning the Somerset County Cup on two occasions and Runners up in the Premier/First Division Cup Final. Their reserves are currently playing in the Somerset County League Division 1.

During this time the club has continued to make improvements to the ground at Fryth Way and acquired some portacabins from Bristol City’s old training ground, which gave them the opportunity to open a new small clubhouse and bar, a new public toilet block, kitchen and club officials room.

In season 2021/22 , the dream became reality and their first team won the Somerset County Premier Division.

This was a very special season as the team never lost a game,  playing 30. Winning 25 and drawing just 5. In addition to this, they also won the Premier and 1st Division cup, presenting the club with the double by defeating Chilcompton 4-2 in the final.

Their first season of Western League football, which they knew would be a huge challenge was nothing less than amazing and saw them gain back to back promotions finishing Runners up in Division one and holding a top three spot for most of the season.

The Premier Division is once again unknown territory for the club and they know it will present many challenges, and we will continue face these head on and enjoy the journey.

Finishing in 9th position in the Western League Premier Division in the 2023-2024 season was better then they could have ever imagined.

They now look forward to the 2024-2025 season & know there will be the same challenges ahead.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first ever meeting between Reading City and Nailsea and Tickenham.

Our visitors come into the game enjoying an unbeaten start to the season, their most recent victory was a 3-1 win against Bridgwater at home in the Jewson Western Football League on Tuesday evening.

City are on the other hand well-rested having not been in midweek action and Simon Johnson will be looking to get back to winning ways having suffered our first defeat of the season last Saturday away to North Greenford United, in which we were beaten 4-1.

TICKETS

This is an all-ticket game due to FA Cup ticket rules which sees the gate share split between both sides therefore Season Tickets and Club Memberships are not valid for this fixture.

Tickets can be purchased online ahead of the game or on the gate. We take both cash and cards on the gate.

Turnstiles, kitchen and bar open at 13:30. Food is available from 13:30.

Prices are:

• Families (X2 Adults, X2 Children): £16
• Adults: £8
• Concession: £4
• Under 16: £4
• Under 5:  Go FREE with paying adult

We recommend purchasing your tickets online to reduce delays at the turnstiles. Purchase yours online now

THE RIVERMOOR

Address: The Rivermoor Stadium, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, RG30 6AY

GETTING HERE

By Car:  Leave the M4 at Junction 12 and take the A4 towards Reading.

Then take a left at the first set of traffic lights at Langley Hill, At the top of Langley Hill you’ll come to a roundabout where you’ll see the Water Tower public house on your left-hand side.

Continue straight on over the roundabout and travel through the centre of Tilehurst before taking a right turn into Norcot Road.

This turning is at the crossroads just past the Asda Petrol Station on your left-hand side, continue straight on down Norcot Road and then take a left on to the A329 Oxford Road before taking the first right on to Scours Lane.  You’ll see Reading City Football Club sign-posted.

Once you’ve turned on to Scours Lane continue straight on under the railway bridge and then take a right to enter The Rivermoor which is clearly signed.

Parking: Parking is available on site here at The Rivermoor at no extra cost on a first come first served basis, there are 80 spaces available to park in the ground. In the event that the club car park is full, then additional car parking is available at the Reading Retail Park, where you are permitted to a maximum stay of 3 hours.

Postcode for Additional Parking: RG30 1PR

Leave the Rivermoor and drive back up Scours Lane until you reach the junction with the A329, then turn left. Continue straight on at the roundabout before turning right to enter Reading Retail Park.

It’s roughly a 5-10 minute walk back to the Rivermoor.

Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway stations to The Rivermoor are Reading West & Tilehurst, both of which are served by regular services operated by Great Western Railway from the much larger Reading Station and are in walking distance from the Rivermoor.

Reading West is also served by services from destinations including Basingstoke & Newbury whilst Tilehurst is also served by services from destinations including Didcot & Oxford.

Bus: The nearest bus stop to the ground is Norcot Junction and is served by the 16 and 17 Reading Bus service which travel between Central Reading and Tilehurst every 10 minutes. More details on the bus route/s here.

FACILITIES

The Rivermoor has some of the best facilities for a non-league football ground with parking on site, disabled access and more including:

• Licenced bar
• Kitchen serving hot and cold food
• Disabled access to pitch side
• Toilets
• Standing and seated covered areas to watch the match
• Card payments taken on the gate and in the bar