After a solid run of form in the league, our First Team exchanged the Premier Division for the FA Vase, hosting Portsmouth-based outfit Baffins Milton Rovers for a potentially history-making clash. 

Three changes to the side fielded at Lowther Road last week saw Ousman Darboe, Tristan Campbell and Emil Mursalov make their return to the starting line-up, with Jenson Mansel beginning on the bench, joining returning debutant Bobbi Emery, Ben Holder and Lucas Taplin. Louis Eade earned his first call-up for Johnson’s squad, after outstanding performances at Under 18s and Reserves’ levels. Assistant Manager David Tarpey joined the substitutes on the bench, lacing up his boots once again, hoping to make a surprise, one-off return to assist a City side battling with injury.

Kick-Off: Reading City 0-0 Baffins Milton Rovers

As the clock ticked into 3pm, the game was underway and a big 90 minutes had begun. A free kick unleashed by Joel Valentin in the opening few minutes was flicked on by the head of Stefan Brown, who led the side out once again, but goalkeeper Dylan Kramer comfortably gathered just off his line.

A brilliant team build-up earned City the lead early, as open space behind Baffin’s backline allowed the skipper to fire from close-range, sneaking the ball past Kramer.

City’s early pressure proved crucial in the clash, as two goals in very quick succession saw Stefan Brown net his second of the afternoon in less than two minutes. A sublime ball across the box from Emil Mursalov reached the forward by the back post, before he tapped in a neat ball to extend the lead! With only eight minutes gone, City were flying high.

A neat set-up from Hamish Thomson saw a through ball to Mursalov down the channels, who took a touch before he curved a direct pass towards Oli Bourne. The defender leapt up to reach but just missed the header.

At the halfway mark of the opening period, the visitors’ Steve Ramsey struck from distance, and his indirect free kick darted just over the bar, but took a deflection and went out for a corner. The set piece was claimed with composure by City shot-stopper Charlie York, and play was restarted by a goal kick.

Ten left on the clock, and a first change for the home team saw Bobbi Emery replace Emil Mursalov, marking his home debut since re-signing on Friday.

A tidy clearance from Bourne, with Tristan Campbell and York to support, rids a dangerous effort from just outside the area, parried away. The ball fell to Joe Pilling, with the midfielder feeding through to Mo Ceesay, but the visitors intercepted from just inside the attacking half before the forward could reach it. Danny Burroughs latched onto the loose ball and pushed downfield, before knocking a ball from the right from around ten yards out, but his effort flashed across the face of the goal.

With two left to play, and the final kick of the game, Stefan Brown earned what he had been searching for and achieved his first hattrick for the Cityzens! Defender Ellis Cowd had a strike agonisingly deflected off the post, and the second ball rolled to the feet of Brown, who slotted home to claim his third goal and extend City’s lead.

Heading into the break, Johnson’s side had much to be proud of after an excellent first 45.

Half Time: Reading City 3-0 Baffins Milton Rovers

Immediate pressure after the restart saw a great run from Bobbi Emery into the eighteen yard box, crowded by three defenders, supported by Stefan Brown. The young winger weaved into the six yard box before unleashing and burying his shot to make it 4-0 to the home team

Despite the scoreline, City’s attacking momentum was not slowing down any time soon, as pressure from Ceesay earned a throw from about twenty yards out. A cross from Campbell to Ousman Darboe, who played a through ball to Ceesay, before the forward threaded the ball to Emery, but the winger’s headed chance fell just over.

A set piece from close range curved into the box and skimmed across the ground, just missing Darboe down the middle, who pivoted in an attempt to redirect the ball towards the net. Ceesay battled for possession against Chad Cornwell, but the Baffins’ winger defended well by the touchline.

A double change in personnel in five minutes saw Tristan Campbell and Ellis Cowd exit the fray in place of Lucas Taplin and Ben Holder respectively, with the pair bolstering both the attack and defensive lines.

Pilling played in Emery out on the right, before he switched to Darboe. The midfielder turned and shot, but his effort was blocked. The rebounded effort fell to newly-introduced Holder, who struck at speed, but his effort was deflected for a corner that was subsequently headed over by the skipper.

Another change for the home side, with Louis Eade making his official first team debut, in place of our hattrick hero Stefan Brown, as applause rang around the ground for both the debutant and the Skipper, and it wasn’t long before another substitution was made for Johnson’s team, as Ousman Darboe was swapped for David Tarpey in the final five.

With minutes to go in additional time, a scramble in the box caused three shots from Emery and one from Tarpey, and four consecutive, excellent blocks from the visitors kept a fifth strike from crossing the line. The referee blew his whistle to signal the end of a great afternoon out for Johnson’s Cityzens, and history had been made for the club!

Full Time: Reading City 4-0 Baffins Milton Rovers

An outstanding match for Simon Johnson’s side, with the return of players from injury and a non-league legend, as well as four goals and a place in the next round. We’d like to wish yesterday’s opponents, Baffins Milton Rovers, all the best for the rest of their season!

The Isuzu FA Vase draw is set to take place tomorrow, where we will find out our opponents for the next round. Johnson’s side return to league action in only a few days, as they host Virginia Water in RG30 on Tuesday night, as part of their Combined Counties Football League campaign.