After a weekend off, Simon Johnson’s side are rested and raring to go as they prepare to take on local rivals Wokingham Town in a rescheduled RGClásico, after the previous fixture was postponed due to a frozen pitch at the beginning of the year.

Johnson’s side come into this game having picked up a possible 12 points from 15 so far this month and will be hoping to make it 15 out of 18 on Wednesday evening.

With just five games left until the season, every single point matters as we look to end the season as positively as we can.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Wokingham Town, founded in 1875, moved to Finchampstead Road in 1906. They joined the Metropolitan League in 1954 and later played in the Delphian, Corinthian, and Athenian Leagues before entering the Isthmian League in 1973. Promoted to the Premier Division in 1982, they reached the FA Cup first round in 1982–83 and the FA Trophy semi-finals in 1987–88. Financial troubles in the 1990s led to relegations and the sale of their ground, resulting in ground shares with Windsor & Eton, Flackwell Heath, and Egham Town. They dropped to the Hellenic League to return to Wokingham at Emmbrook Sports’ ground.

In 2004, they merged with Emmbrook Sports, becoming Wokingham & Emmbrook, and competed in the Hellenic Football League. They won the Reading Senior Cup in 2009 and secured multiple wins through 2015. After sharing grounds with Bracknell Town in 2009, they moved to the Hellenic League Premier Division. The club made its FA Cup debut in 2011–12 and explored a merger with Woodley Town in 2011.

Promoted to the Combined Counties League Premier Division North in 2021, they reverted to the name Wokingham Town in May 2024.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Whilst this is officially only the second meeting between Reading City and Wokingham Town, having met earlier this season at the Rivermoor. They were formerly named Wokingham & Emmbrook and our head-to-head record with them has seen the Cityzens earn three wins, two games have ended all level and Wokingham have beaten us once.

Despite their name-change, that winning streak against our local rivals has continued this season as in the first meeting between the newly renamed Wokingham Town and ourselves here at the Rivermoor on Tuesday 6th August 2024, goals from Bobbi Emery and Pele Hagger saw us win 2-1.

Simon Johnson’s side come into this game well-rested having not played since Saturday 15th March in which they won 1-0 at home to Edgware & Kingsbury at home to secure three wins on the bounce, for the first time this season. They’ll be looking to end March on a high by picking up another three points.

Wokingham Town however aren’t as well rested having last been in action on Saturday 22nd March, in which they travelled to Wembley. After torrential rain during the first half the referee decided to abandon proceedings in North-West London at half time with the Suma’s leading 0-1

Prior to that Wokingham Town were last in action on Tuesday 18th, in which they beat Berks County 2-3 at the Racecourse Ground in an all-Berkshire Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North clash. They will be hoping to beat another local rival when we head to Lowther Road on Wednesday evening.

TICKETS

Prices are:

Adults: £8
Concessions: £4

LOWTHER ROAD

Address: Lowther Road,Wokingham,Berkshire,RG41 1JB

GETTING HERE

By Car: From Reading take the A329.

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

In 0.3 miles merge onto A3290

In 2.1 miles continue onto A329(M) (signs for M4)

In 92 yards take the exit towards Winnersh/Woodley/A329

In 0.1 miles at the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto A3290

In 01. miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on A3290

In 0.1 miles use the left lane to turn slightly left towards Showcase Roundabout

In 57 yards turn left onto Showcase Roundabout

In 15 yards Showcase Roundabout turns left and becomes Reading Rd/A329

In 1.3 miles at the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on Reading Rd/A329

In 0.2 miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Reading Rd/A329

In 0.4 miles turn left onto Old Forest Rd

In 0.2 miles turn right onto Lowther Rd

In 27 yards turn right and Wokingham Town Football Club will be on the left

TRAVEL INFORMATION

For anyone who will be travelling via the M4 please note that National Highways will have an overnight closure in place at Junction 12 Westbound from 21:00hrs on Wednesday 26th March until 06:00hrs on Thursday 27th March.

By Bus: From Reading take the Lion 4 operated by Reading Buses from Central Reading towards Bracknell and disembark at Rifle Volunteer. The journey will last approximately 30 minutes with 26 stops. For details on bus prices please visit www.reading-buses.co.uk/fares-and-tickets