Our Under 23s side are set to meet with the ‘Cote for a third match this season after a victory against their counterparts over at Penn & Tylers Green, in which Alfie Ward found his way onto the scoresheet to allow our Cityzens to progress to the next round.
Woodcote enter this tie following a 2-1 win over Henley Town in the round prior on home turf, and a 2-0 victory against Newbury in the first round at Henwick Worthy Sports Ground.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Woodcote FC was initially formed 100 years ago, and following reformation after the Second World War, they have been in existence ever since.
The club has seen many variations of success over the years, such as winning in cups such as the Junior Cup in 1974, or the Intermediate Cup in 1976. They also reached the Final of the Senior Cup in 1982. In addition to this, success in the league has been a regular feat, becoming Champions of the Reading Combination League – 1976 – and North Berks League Champions in 1981. Successive promotions in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2007 have also taken the club up the ranks from Division 4 to the Senior Division of the Reading League.
Woodcote and Stoke Row Football Clubs merged in 2001, lasting for 20 years before the name reverted back to Woodcote FC. Under management of the current Club Chairman, the First Team have gained great success, twice winning the Berkshire Trophy Centre Senior Cup (2010 + 2011) and four-time runners up in the Senior Division of the old Reading Football League consecutively (2010-13).
In the 2020-21 season, the club took part in Division 2 (South) of the Hellenic League, however the pandemic restricted their first season. The following year, Woodcote completed a historic double, winning the Hellenic Division 2 East and the Oxford Intermediate Cup.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In our first two meetings with then Woodcote Stoke Row, the Cityzens faced two difficult yet hard-fought meetings, finishing in a 4-1 loss away at the Woodcote Recreation Ground, and a 5-1 defeat at the Atrium.
A clash with the local outfit on Opening Day of the season saw a first defeat for Sheldon Baptiste’s side after a first half hat-trick from Leon Mannion and goals from Joe Webber and Jay Herbert sealed the three points for the visitors.
However, in our most recent meeting, a half-volleying effort from defender Finley Meikle gave us the lead, but an equaliser from Gianni Massi saw the points shared following a positive day on the road.
LAST MEETINGS
1-1 Away Draw – Woodcote 1-1 RCFC – 09/11/24
5-0 Home Loss – RCFC 0-5 Woodcote – 28/08/24
3-0 Away Win [Voided] – Woodcote 0-3 RCFC – 04/09/19
5-1 Home Loss – RCFC 1-5 Woodcote – 02/03/19
4-1 Away Loss – Woodcote 4-1 RCFC – 08/12/18
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.
