Back to it, and a second late evening meeting with Saunders’ Reserves outfit sees a chance of redemption for Baptiste and Olaide’s group. With the last meeting for our Under 23s taking place at Barlows Park, and Tadley’s Saturday clash against Slough Heating Laurencians postponed, both sides will be well rested heading into tonight’s fixture.

Last time out against tonight’s visitors, forward Matthew Ramirez pulled one back with a ricocheted ball, but sadly our young Cityzens lost out to a clinical Tadley side, with Tiago Moreno claiming an early brace, and Cameron George netting a third for the then-hosts.

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 twelve games in twenty-three, Tadley Calleva Reserves sit in seventh place with a tally of forty points.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be our second ever 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 three wins, a draw and a loss, with ten points from a possible fifteen stemming from a 4-0 victory over Woodcote, a comprehensive 5-1 win against Wargrave, a 3-1 victory in our previous tie, a 1-1 result against Newbury and a Home Walkover away at Denefield School against Westwood Wanderers.

LAST MEETING

30/05/2024 – TCR 3-1 City U23s

ADDRESS: The Atrium Health Club, Scours Ln, Tilehurst, Reading, RG30 6AY

KEY INFORMATION: There are no admission fees for this match – 6pm 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.