Under 23s
TVPL Premier Division Sat 18 January Polish Association Club
Slough Heating Laurencians
0
Reading City
  • Barker. (')
  • Baker. (')
  • Tafeni (')
3
0-3

Following an array of league fixtures cancelled last weekend due to adverse weather conditions and frozen pitches, our Under 23s look to bounce back this Saturday, as they look to gain their second set of three points down at the Polish Association. Neither team has been in action since the 30th November last year, with both sides losing to the same scoreline, conceding three and scoring one.

Last time out, Alfie Ward netted his maiden goal for City, breaking the deadlock early, however a second half comeback from the hosts nicked the points late in the game.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITIONWith reference to FCHD.info

Slough Heating Laurencians, nicknamed the Lauries’ or ‘SHL’, initially formed as an amalgamation of the teams ‘Slough Heating’ and ‘Slough Laurencians’ during the 2015/16 season.

Initially founded as ‘St Helens FC’ in 1921, the side transferred over to the Berks and Bucks FA from the Lancashire FA two years after creation.

Participating in the East Berks League for four years, the ‘Heating made the switch to the Thames Valley Premier League at the start of the 2019/20 campaign, entering Division One. Their first season in this tier was cut short due to the pandemic, however across the next two seasons, the team were on an impressive run, with a fourth placed finish from eleven and a runner’s up placement from twelve. Sixteen wins from twenty-two and 52 from a possible 66 points in the 21/22 campaign rightfully saw the club earn promotion into the Premier Division.

Since then, a seventh place ranking at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season and an eleventh place finish enabled Slough to continue their fight in the top flight of the Thames Valley Premier League. Currently sitting in twelfth position out of fourteen, the club have two wins and have earned six points so far.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since their promotion into the Premier division, we’ve faced the Lauries twice, however two other fixtures were scheduled. Our last meeting ended with a point apiece, away at the Polish Association, whilst a competitive match – also on the road – finished in a narrow defeat back in November 2022.

Two clashes with the opposition ended with a walkover, with one team unable to participate, perhaps as they could not field a squad, due to injury crisis or travel issues. A home walkover occurred in May 2023, which saw our Under 23s awarded the win, whilst in March 2024, an away walkover was awarded to Slough, earning them all three points.

LAST MEETINGS

Away Walkover – 30/3/24 (SHL Win)

2-2 Away Draw – 07/10/23

Home Walkover – 13/5/23 (U23s Win)

3-2 Away Loss – 12/11/22

ADDRESS: Slough Heating Laurencians FC, Polish Association, Church Lane, Slough, Buckinghamshire, SL2 4NZ

KEY INFORMATION: There are no admission fees – 2pm Kick-Off

GETTING HERE

By Car: Take A329 and A3290 to A329(M) in Woodley

Head south on A329

Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto Watlington St/A329

Slight left onto London Rd/A4

At Sutton Seeds Roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A3290 slip road to M4/Wokingham/A329(M)/Bracknell

Merge onto A3290

Take M4 to Tuns Ln/A355 in Slough. Take the exit from M4

Continue onto A329(M) (signs for M4)

Take the M4 exit towards London

Keep right at the fork and merge onto M4

Take the exit towards Tuns Ln/A355

Continue on Tuns Ln/A355 to your destination in Buckinghamshire

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Tuns Ln/A355

Turn right onto Bath Rd/A4

Turn left onto Stoke Poges Ln

At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Stoke Poges Ln

Continue onto Church Ln

Turn right – the ground should be on your left.

By Public Transport: Take the Great Western Railway service towards London Paddington, and disembark when reaching the platform for Slough. After a short walk on Brunel Way, take the ‘12 The Trader’ bus service provided by ‘First Bus Berkshire’ towards Burnham until arriving at Whiteford Road. An approximate twenty minute walk down Stoke Poges Lane and Church Lane, before taking a final right, will lead you to the ground.