On a crisp autumn afternoon, Johnson’s Cityzens made the short journey down the M4 to face Holyport in what promised to be a competitive all-Berkshire clash in the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division North, with both sides previously challenging for promotion in recent years. With the season in full swing, both squads would be looking to secure a win and climb the table.

Ahead of Kick Off Johnson’s Cityzens were preparing to bounce back from their 2-5 defeat at home on Tuesday night, whilst the hosts were looking to make it two wins on the spin having beaten North Greenford United on the road last Saturday.

It took just seven minutes for City to take the lead, with Joel Valentin converting a free kick.

The referee called for half-time and City went in leading at the break!

HALF TIME: Holyport 0 v Reading City 1

A change to personnel was made ahead of the second half with Riley Denny replacing Ousman Darboe.

The second half saw us extend our lead, with Stefan Brown scoring with the hour mark approaching.

On the hour mark, Josh Tanner replaced Denzel Abia for the hosts.

Holyport, now chasing the game, grew increasingly frustrated, and that frustration boiled over with Will Cullum being dismissed in the 62nd minute for a reckless challenge, leaving the hosts down to ten men.

With sixty seven minutes played, Johnson made his second substution replacing Joel Valentin with Ben Holder. Holyport then made a change of their own with Amari Dumont replacing Manuel Kingsley-Nyinah.

As expected in a Berkshire derby, with less than twenty minutes on the clock the battle intensified as Holyport looked to find a way back in, and both Ben Holder and Joe Pilling picked up yellows minutes apart.

With less than fifteen minutes remaining, Holyport were still looking for a way back and introduced Liam McVicar for Lucas Surpanu. City then made a change of their own replacing Skipper Stefan Brown with Lucas Taplin up top.

With just nine minutes left on the clock, Holyport made another change with Larry Kagwa replacing Kickie Dzimba.

To add to our hosts problems, Matteo Cedrola was given his marching orders in the 83rd minute, reducing Holyport to nine and effectively ending any hope of a comeback.

With just four minutes on the clock, Simon Johnson once again called non-league legend and Assistant Manager Dave Tarpey to replace Joe Pilling.

With one minute of regulation time remaining, Jacob Turner was cautioned for the hosts.

In the dying moments, Tarps who is something of a legend in SL6 after scoring 44 goals in 41 games for neighbouring Maidenhead United, helping the Magpies win the National League South in 2016/17 capped off a fantastic afternoon for the Cityzens, scoring our third goal with a sublime free kick in the 90th minute.

FULL TIME: Holyport 0 v Reading City 3

Simon Johnson would be happy to see his side immediately bounce back following Tuesday nights defeat, which to many came as a complete surprise.

We now look ahead to Tuesday evening when we’ll face Holyport for the second time in four days as they make the trip to the Rivermoor Stadium and Johnson will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins.