After Tuesday night’s FA Cup heartache, Friday evening will see us get our Isuzu FA Vase campaign underway.

For only the second time in our history, Simon Johnson’s Cityzens reached the First Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Vase last season. The first time was back in the 2020/21 Season and they’ll be looking to surpass that this season.

That challenge will start  when we welcome Abingdon United to Henley Town Football Club’s Invesco Perpetual Triangle Ground in the Isuzu FA Vase First Round Qualifying.

A big thank you to our friends at Henley Town Football Club who have been happy to accommodate us for a second consecutive season. We’re very grateful to them for letting us call the Invesco Perpetual Triangle Ground our home for one night only.

Due to the lease agreement we have at our official home, the Rivermoor Stadium,  for the last week of August it becomes part of the Reading Festival site on an annual basis.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Abingdon United Football Club (AUFC) was established in 1946 by ex-servicemen, starting in Division 1 of the North Berks League. Despite early relegation, they won the Charity Shield in their first season. Over the years, the club achieved various successes, including becoming North Berks champions in 1953/54, winning the Hellenic Division One Cup in 1965/66, and earning promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division in 1976/77.

Their most successful season was 1996/97, when they won multiple trophies and upgraded their facilities. After competing in the Southern League from 2006/07, financial challenges led to a voluntary return to the Hellenic League Premier Division in 2013/14. The club currently plays in Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One.

Honours include league championships, multiple cup victories, and notable FA Cup runs, with the highest attendance being 1,500 for a friendly against Oxford United in 1994.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Both clubs have had numerous encounters in various competitions over the years, primarily within Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division and FA Vase.

From the data available to us our last six meetings with Abingdon United have seen two wins for the Cityzens and 4 wins for Abingdon United. There hasn’t been a draw in any of our recent meetings.

When it comes to the FA Vase, we have met Abingdon United twice in our history and lost both encounters.

The first encounter was back in 2017/18 during the time the club was known as Highmoor Ibis and we lost 0-1 in the First Round Qualifying and the second encounter was in 2019/20.

Our second season under the Reading City name and we lost 3-1 in the Second Round Qualifying. This was also the last time the two clubs faced each other competitively.

Abingdon currently sit fifth in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One having lost only one of their five opening games. They come into this fixture on the back of a win having beat Ludlow Town 3-1 at home on Saturday.

The Cityzens however haven’t won their last three games having suffered a 4-1 defeat on the road to North Greenford United in Combined Counties Premier Division North Action on August 10^th before drawing 1-1 with Nailsea & Tickenham on Saturday to see our Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round tie go to a replay on Tuesday night which we sadly lost 0-1.

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

Some of the City faithful may recognise a familiar name on the team-sheet on Friday evening as Abingdon United shot-stopper Eddie Kavanagh represented the Cityzens during the 2018/19 season before transferring to North Leigh.

He is almost definitely set to feature having started every game so far this season for Abingdon United.

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 18:30. Food is available from 18:30.

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

HENLEY TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

Address: The Invesco Perpetual Triangle, Mill Lane, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 4HB

GETTING HERE

By Car:  From Reading, join the A4155 at Caversham Road.

Allow extra time for your journey due to Reading Festival taking place.

At Caversham Bridge take a right to continue along Church Street.

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Prospect Street/A4155

Follow the A4155 Henley Road for 6.2 miles

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Reading Road/A4155

Turn right onto Mill Ln

Henley Town Football Club be on the left

Nearest Railway Station: The Invesco Perpetual Triangle is only a 15-minute walk from Henley-on-Thames Railway Station.

From Reading take Elizabeth Line Services towards Abbey Wood and disembark at Twyford.

Alternatively take Great Western Railway services from Reading towards London Paddington that call at Twyford where you’ll need to disembark.

Once at Twyford you’ll need to take the Henley Branch Line to Henley-On-Thames from Platform 5. Trains depart every half hour.

PLEASE NOTE THE LAST TRAIN FROM HENLEY-ON-THAMES TO READING DEPARTS AT 00:18, THIS SERVICE WILL CALL AT READING WITHOUT THE NEED TO CHANGE AT TWYFORD!

Once you’ve arrived at Henley-on-Thames, leave the Station and Walk north-east towards Meadow Road, Turn right onto Meadow Road.

Take a slight right to stay on Meadow Rd, followed by another Slight right.

Take a slight right towards Mill Lane before turning right onto Mill Lane.

Continue straight to stay on Mill Lane.

Henley Town Football Club will be on your right.

Bus: From Reading take the Aqua 28 Bus Service operated by our friends at Reading Buses. The new ‘aqua 28’ route runs every 30 minutes and can be boarded from Friar Street, Central Reading.

Disembark the Aqua 28 at ‘Tesco Superstore’. Henley Town Football Club is then only a five-minute walk away via Mill Lane.

When you get off the bus Mill Lane will be on your right-hand side next to the Tesco Superstore.

To get the bus back to Reading, walk back up Mill Lane and turn left, continue straight on until you reach a bus stop. It will be on your left-hand side just after the zebra crossing.

PLEASE NOTE THE LAST BUS TO READING DEPARTS AT 23:50.

You can find out more about the Aqua 28 Bus Service here

FACILITIES

The facilities at The Invesco Perpetual Triangle are very modern with a clubhouse housing a fully stocked licensed bar.

A selection of refreshments will also be available from the bar.