Another Wednesday, another midweek fixture for our Under 23s side. This time, it’s a new ground for Baptiste’s side as they make the trip to RG26 to meet with Ashley Saunders’ Reserves squad. Their second match-up will be only days later, where the Atrium will host the final game of the season on the 5th May.

Our young squad enter this off the back of an emphatic 4-1 win away at the Cauldron, with Bless-Him Kimpiats, Andrew Tafeni, Mael Le Paih and Alfie Ward each netting to seal the win. Last time out, a 1-1 draw split the points against Newbury, with Cameron George netting the Roman’s goal.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION – With reference to FCHD.info

In the 2004/05 season, Tadley Calleva’s Reserves squad entered Division One of the Reading League, finishing seventh in their debut season. A successful application for promotion the following year saw the team move up the ranks and into the Premier Division for the 2006/07 campaign. During that season, with eleven wins in twenty two, the Reserves narrowly missed out on a first place finish on goal difference, finishing as runners-up. The side made the decision to leave the Reading League the next year, making the switch and participating in the Wessex Combination League and winning the title.

Ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, The Romans’ Reserves joined the Thames Valley Premier League in the second tier, playing in Division One for the next three seasons, ending each with a fifth place, fourth place and first place finish respectively. Earning the honours of being champions in 2023/24, the side earned promotion into the top flight and participate alongside our Under 23s this season.

Currently, after winning eleven games out of twenty-one, Tadley Calleva Reserves sit in eighth place with a tally of thirty-seven points.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be our first meeting with Tadley’s Reserves side, with the successive fixtures acting as back-to-back tests for our young side. 

The Romans’ last five consist of two wins, two draws and a loss, with eight points from a possible fifteen stemming from a 4-0 victory over Woodcote, a comprehensive 5-1 win against Wargrave, two level 1-1 ties against Newbury and Slough Heating Laurencians, and a narrow 2-1 defeat to AFC Winkfield.

ADDRESS: Barlows Park, Silchester Rd, Tadley, RG26 3PX

KEY INFORMATION: There are no admission fees for this match – 7:45pm Kick-Off

GETTING HERE

By Car: Take Bath Rd/A4, Burghfield Rd, Reading Rd and Burghfield Rd to Soke Rd

Head south on A329

Use the left lane to take the ramp 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

Turn left onto Burghfield Rd

Continue onto Reading Rd

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Reading Rd

At the roundabout, continue straight onto Padworth Rd

Continue onto Burghfield Rd

Continue onto Baughurst Rd

Continue onto Reading Rd

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Soke Rd

Follow Pamber Rd and Silchester Rd to Tadley

Turn right onto Pamber Rd

Continue onto Silchester Rd

Turn right – the ground will be on the left

By Public Transport: Take the Great Western Railway service beginning at Reading heading towards Basingstoke, and disembark at the platform for Bramley. A three minute walk will direct you towards ‘The Bramley Inn’ bus stop. Take the 14 service heading to Pamber Heath, provided by Stagecoach South, and disembark at ‘the Pelican’. An approximate eleven minute walk down Silchester Road toward Pelican Road will take you in the direction of the ground, and a right turn should position the ground on the left.