Sheldon Baptiste and Mimi Olaide’s team of young Cityzens come together once again this Saturday, and head down the road to meet with Burghfield, arriving off the back of a 2-0 loss against Holyport Reserves. The home side will be entering this tie from a compelling 3-1 victory over Newbury, who we faced earlier this campaign.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION: With reference to FCHD.info
Burghfield first entered the Thames Valley Premier League in 2015, beginning in the fourth division. They finished the season as runners-up, despite having an early three-point deduction, and were able to be promoted into Division Two, competing alongside fellow Premier Division side Wargrave. Following sixteen wins in twenty for the Fielders, they were rewarded with automatic promotion, and the title winners joined the second tier.
The 2017/18 season saw Burghfield challenge for the title once again, but they unfortunately lost out due to goal difference, narrowly placing behind Richings Park. Despite this, they were still able to be promoted, and joined the Premier Division.
The charge didn’t stop there, as they finished as runners-up in the 2021/22 season following the pandemic. Since then, Burghfield have also completed a historic cup double, winning both the Charles Twelftree Trophy and the BTC Senior Cup in March and May respectively.
Currently, Burghfield sit fifth in the table, following four wins in ten, with a total of fifteen points.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
We’ve faced the Fielders on several occasions, typically involving high scorelines. Our most recent meeting saw Burghfield walk away with all the points, after our Under 23s suffered a 5-0 loss. Back in 2022, the points were shared after a competitive battle away from home.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
5-0 Home Loss – 13/04/24
4-0 Away Loss – 16/03/24
4-2 Home Loss – 04/03/23
3-2 Away Loss – 5/10/22
1-1 Away Draw – 22/01/22
KEY INFORMATION: There are no admission fees for this match – 2pm Kick-Off
ADDRESS: Burghfield Recreation Ground, Recreation Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 3EN
GETTING HERE:
By Car: Follow Bath Rd, Burghfield Rd and Reading Rd to Recreation Rd in Burghfield Common
Head south on A329
Take the exit towards Newbury/A4/Oxford/Hexagon
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Castle St/A4155
Continue straight onto Bath Rd/A4155
Continue straight onto Bath Rd/A4
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Bath Rd/A4
Turn left onto Burghfield Rd
Continue onto Reading Rd
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Reading Rd
Turn right onto Recreation Rd
By Bus: The nearest bus stop to the Burghfield Recreation Ground is the 2a Lime. Start the journey at St Marys Butts (stop CA) and disembark when you reach Burghfield Village Hall. After about a minute of walking, the ground should be on the right.
Nearest Railway Station: By rail, the journey to the ground still requires use of a bus, in the form of the 2 Lime. Take the Great Western Railway service to Basingstoke, and disembark when reaching the Mortimer platform. After a half an hour walk, take the 2 Lime from Blagrave Street towards Central Reading, and disembark at Burghfield Village Hall.
Alternatively, the bus stop for the 2a Lime bus is a short distance from Reading Station, which can be accessed from Blagrave Street just outside the station. Disembarking at Burghfield Village Hall will leave you around a minute’s walk away from the ground.
