Having exited the Isuzu FA Vase in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday, Simon Johnson’s attention now turns to the Cherry Red Records Challenge Cup as we begin our campaign on the road to Virginia Water in the First Round.

Last season saw us reach the third round of the cup, where we were knocked out by Langley  following a 5-3 win on penalties.

Virginia Water will be looking to build on last season’s cup success in which they narrowly lost out on becoming champions of the Cherry Red Records Challenge Cup, following a 1-2 defeat to Burnham in the final.

An exciting game awaits at the impressive Arbour Park, home to National League South outfit Slough Town, with whom Virginia Water have a ground-sharing agreement with.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Virginia Water Football Club (VWFC) was formed in 1919-1920 and celebrated its centenary in 2020. The club received royal financial support during the reigns of Kings Edward VIII and George VI, who also gifted the club its current ground.

VWFC initially competed in the Woking & District League before joining the Surrey Intermediate League in 1964 and progressing to the Spartan League. In 1970, the club was promoted to the Combined Counties League. After a tough period in the 1980s, VWFC won the Surrey Intermediate Cup in 1990-91 and enjoyed further success in the mid-1990s, winning several Surrey County Premier Cups and achieving a historic league and cup treble.

After various league changes and promotions, Ceri Jones was appointed manager in 2015-16, leading the club to back-to-back promotions and a cup double by 2017. The club achieved its highest league finish (7th place) in 2022-23 and reached the Senior County Cup final. Following the resignation of the Bessent brothers as managers in 2023-24, Adam Sams became the new manager, securing another 7th place finish and reaching the Combined Counties Premier League Cup final.

For the 2024-25 season, VWFC will move to new facilities at Slough Town under a ground share agreement. The club also has a growing youth section, with 19 teams, including a strong girls’ program under the FA Wildcats scheme.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

We are well acquainted with Tuesday night’s opponents having played them during both our Uhlsport Hellenic League and Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North campaigns.

City don’t have the best of records against Virginia Water. Our last win on the road against Virginia Water was back in 2022.

In our last five meetings City have recorded 2 wins and 3 defeats against Virginia Water.

Virginia Water come into the game on the back of a win on Saturday in the Isuzu FA Vase, having won 1-0 at home to Winslow United whilst City come into the game on the back of Saturday’s 4-1 defeat in the Isuzu FA Vase on the road to Fairford Town.

TICKETS

Prices are:

£8 Adults

£5 Concessions

Under 16s FREE

Arbour Park

Address: Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL2 5AY

GETTING HERE

By Car:  From Reading take the M4 and Exit at Junction 5 (signposted Colnbrook/Datchet/Langley).

Head west on London Road (A4). Pass the Sainsbury’s Superstore on your right-hand side and drive straight over the roundabout, continuing London Road.

Pass the Tesco Slough Extra store and then the turning to Slough Rail station on your right and at the next junction, turn right onto Stoke Road (B416).

Continue along Stoke Road for 0.7 miles, going straight ahead at the crossroads with Shaggy Calf Lane and Elliman Avenue (following the signpost to Slough Cemetery & Crematorium, Wexham Park Hospital and Stoke Poges).

The entrance to Arbour Park is a few hundred yards further on the right-hand side.

By Train: From Reading take the Elizabeth Line or Great Western Railway Services towards London Paddington and disembark at Slough. Not all services stop at Slough so please check with station staff and/or passenger information screens for further information.

Exit via Slough Rail Station via the rear entrance.

Head northeast toward Railway Terrace

Turn left onto Railway Terrace

Turn right onto Stoke Rd/B416

Turn right

Turn left

Arbour Park will be on the right

By Bus: From Slough Railway Station exit via main entrance.

Head east

Turn right toward Brunel Way.

Turn right toward Brunel Way.

Turn right onto Brunel Way.

Slight left to stay on Brunel Way.

Turn left

Slough bus station will be on your left.

Once at Slough Bus Station walk to Bay 13 and catch the WP1 bound for Wexham Court operated by Red Line

Ride three stops to Shaggy Calf Lane.

From here head north on Stoke Rd/B416 toward Stokesay

Turn right

Turn left

Arbour Park will be on the right