Sheldon Baptiste and Mimi Olaide’s group of Cityzens are set to be at home once again this Saturday, ready and raring to go to take on near-neighbours Burghfield down at the Atrium. With the last two games postponed due to adverse weather, we hope to be back in action and come away with all three points.
Last time out, our Under 23s netted three to bring all the points back to Reading, after a competitive showing against Slough Heating Laurencians. Our opposition this weekend enter off the back of an astonishing 6-2 victory down at Bisham Abbey against Maidenhead Town, with Jordan Webb finding a hattrick, alongside three other goalscorers each putting one past the goalkeeper.
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, 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, with seven wins in fifteen, on a total of twenty five points.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
We’ve faced the Fielders on multiple occasions, usually involving high scorelines. Our most recent meeting saw Burghfield secure the home win, earning all three points after our Under 23s suffered a 5-0 loss, despite a strong showing from our boys in blue.
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
5-0 Away Loss – 02/11/24
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 – 05/10/22
ADDRESS: The Atrium Health Club, Scours Ln, Tilehurst, Reading, RG30 6AY
KEY INFORMATION: There are no admission fees for this match – 2pm Kick-Off
GETTING HERE
By Car: Take the A4074 towards Reading.
Turn right onto Bridge Street/A4155 and continue to follow the A4155.
At Caversham Bridge Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Richfield Avenue and continue straight on.
Go through the roundabout with Kwik-Fit on your left-hand side and continue straight on to Cow Lane. When you get to the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Portman Road, before continuing to Wigmore Lane. There will be a Shell Petrol Station on your left hand-side.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Oxford Rd/A329 before turning right on to Scours Lane. Reading City Football Club will be signposted.
Once you’ve turned on to Scours Lane, continue straight on under the railway bridge and then take a right and keep going until you pass the Rivermoor. The Atrium will be signposted ahead, and the pitch will be across the road from the car park.
Parking: Parking is available on site here at The Atrium at no extra cost on a first come first served basis. 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 a maximum stay of 3 hours. There may also be additional space at the Rivermoor.
Postcode for Additional Parking: RG30 1PR
Leave the Atrium 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 Atrium.
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway stations to The Atrium 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 within walking distance from the Atrium.
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.
