Simon Johnson’s Cityzens kicked off their pre-season campaign in West Reading on Saturday when we welcomed Cove to RG30.
Johnson described the match as a ‘pleasing first fixture’, but now our attention turns to our second game as we host Eversley and California on Tuesday evening. With the Boars newly-promoted this should be an entertaining fixture as they look to have a successful pre-season as they prepare for their very first season at Step 5.
Just like us, Eversley & California also kicked off their pre-season campaign off on Saturday with an in-house friendly against their Reserves.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Reading City Football Club and Eversley & California Football Club have never faced each other competitively.
Last season the Boars secured a historic promotion to Step 5, ending a sixteen year stay at Step 6. Having finished fourth in the Combined Counties Football League Division One they qualified for the play-offs. Initially facing Penn & Tylers Green in the Semi-Final the boars progressed to the Final with a 2-4 win on penalties. They then faced Westside in the final and won 0-1 to secure their place at Step 5, and will compete in the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division South.
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
Eversley & California forward Nathan Mindomba is a former Cityzen. Between 2018-21 he featured for our Under 23s (recently renamed Reserves) making a total of thirty eight goals. During his time with us he also made two appearances for the first team.
He made twenty-nine appearances for the Boars last season as they mounted a promotion push, scoring five goals to help them along the way. Nathan has also had spells at Windsor, Woodley and Wokingham Town.
Another familiar face within the Boars camp is Max Laschok, also a forward. Max signed for the Cityzens last summer in what was his second spell at the club having previously played for us during the 2021/22 season where he had an unforgettable debut netting a brace against Royal Wooten Bassett. Having rejoined from Eversley & California, Max returned to the Boars after only six appearances for the Cityzens and went on to make twenty-three appearances and score ten goals as the Hampshire based outfit mounted a promotion push. Max has also had spells at Woodley United and Chalfont Sports.
PRE-SEASON COVERAGE
Prior to pre-season commencing a decision has been made that we will not publish our pre-season friendly results or provide match day updates.
Pre-season friendlies give us an opportunity to build team chemistry, fitness and for Simon Johnson and his management team to implement their playing style & therefore the results don’t matter.
THE ATRIUM HEALTH CLUB
The Atrium Health Club (Next to the Rivermoor Stadium), Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6AY
This summer the Atrium will once again become our home, away from home whilst the hallowed turf at the Rivermoor Stadium – The proud home of Reading City Football Club and the beating heart of our football community is prepared for another busy campaign, as we host an average of 60 games every season!
TICKETS
Admission to the Atrium is free of charge.
GETTING HERE
By Car: Leave the M4 at Junction 12 and take the A4 towards Reading.
Then take a left at the first set of traffic lights at Langley Hill, At the top of Langley Hill you’ll come to a roundabout where you’ll see the Water Tower public house on your left-hand side.
Continue straight on over the roundabout and travel through the centre of Tilehurst before taking a right turn into Norcot Road.
This turning is at the crossroads just past the Asda Petrol Station on your left-hand side, continue straight on down Norcot Road and then take a left on to the A329 Oxford Road before taking the first right on to Scours Lane. You’ll see Reading City Football Club sign posted.
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 at The Atrium 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.
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 Atrium is Norcot Junction and is served by the 16 and 17 Reading Bus service which travel between Central Reading and Tilehurst every 10 minutes. Thanks to our partnership with Reading Buses, it’s now even easier to know when to get off as we’ve been added to their onboard announcements, just listen out for ‘Use this stop for Reading City Football Club’.
More details on the bus route/s can be found here.
