Another day, another league fixture for Sheldon Baptiste and Mimi Olaide’s team! The first of two matches this week sees our young Cityzens take the short journey to RG7 to battle with Richard Wilkinson’s Reading YMCA.

Our Under 23’s go into this clash off the back of an unfortunate 4-3 defeat to Burghfield, with City goals from Luke Donville, Finley Meikle and Matthew Ramirez, whilst today’s opposition arrive following a week long break, with their last fixture ending in a defeat of the same scoreline to Slough Heating Laurencians down at the Cauldron.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

Reading YMCA was founded in 1896, and first featured in the Reading League Division Two, finishing as runners-up in 1997/98. As a result of this, they gained promotion to the next tier, known as the Reading League Division One Thames. The 99/00 season saw the side become champions, subsequently promoting them up to the Premier Division.

Three years later, Reading YMCA were promoted to the Senior Division on goal difference. Over the next few seasons, they reached multiple top-half finishes, including fourth, third and second. They claimed the league title in 2009/10 and 2012/13, as well as claiming a runner-up spot in 2013/14, and narrowly missing out on the title in 2014/15 due to a points deduction. 

Following a name change to the league, the “Reading League” became known as the Thames Valley Premier League. YMCA won the title once again in 2015/16, and defended this for 3 successive seasons until the 2018/19 campaign. A resignation mid-season saw the side rejoin the level in Division One the next year, however they quickly reinstated themselves, gaining 57 points for promotion into the top tier.

Their start of the campaign means Reading YMCA arrive off the back of a 2-0 victory over Tadley Calleva Reserves, and a thrilling 4-3 victory over Newbury on Opening Day.

Currently, they sit in eleventh place with twenty-five points from twenty-three fixtures so far, with 8 wins to their name.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Our young Cityzens have a somewhat mixed record against this Wednesday’s opposition, winning two and losing three of the last five. Last time out against YMCA, a goal from Reiss Baker was a consolation in a difficult-to-take 5-1 scoreline, with three goalscorers securing the win for our then-visitors.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS

5-1 Home Loss – 07/09/2024

3-2 Home Win – 16/12/2023

2-0 Away Win – 28/08/2023

1-0 Home Loss – 11/02/2023

1-0 Away Loss – 29/10/2022

ADDRESS: The Cauldron, Padworth Village Hall, Padworth Lane, Padworth RG7 4HY

KEY INFORMATION: There are no admission fees for this match – 6pm Kick-Off

GETTING HERE

By Car:  Take A4 to Padworth Ln

Head south on A329

Use the left lane to take the slip road to Newbury/A4/Oxford/Hexagon

At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Castle St/A4155

Continue straight onto Bath Rd/A4

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Bath Rd/A4

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Bath Rd/A4

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Bath Rd/A4

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Bath Rd/A4

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Bath Rd/A4

Follow Padworth Ln to your destination

Turn left onto Padworth Ln

Turn left – the ground will be on the right.

By Bus: Take the Jet Black 1 from St Mary’s Butts, provided by Reading Buses, heading towards Newbury Wharf and disembark once reaching the ‘Collins Caravan Centre’ stop, and an approximate six minute walk will take you to the ground, which will be on the right.

By Rail: Take the Great Western Railway service from Reading Station towards Newbury, before disembarking at Aldermaston. An approximate fifteen minute walk from Station Road to Bath Road to Padworth Lane will take you to the ground, which should be on the right.