Our trip to Nailsea & Tickenham was one to be excited about as not only was it the first time we’ve been to the JLC Ground, both sides would also enter the history books before a ball was even kicked as tonight marked the first time an Emirates FA Cup game has been played under the lights in Nailsea.

Ahead of kick-off the City faithful would of been buoyed by the fact Simon Johnson opted for an attack-heavy line-up making four changes from Saturday’s starting eleven.

City started the first half brightly and with quarter of an hour played were very much on top and had enjoyed a flurry of early chances. Liam Baker was also cautioned for a heavy challenge.

The referee called time on the first forty-five and the Cityzens went in at the break asking themselves why they hadn’t put this game to bed as they could’ve been 5, 6 or even 7 goals to the good.

Instead they would have work to do in the second half with the score locked at 0-0.

Half Time: 0-0

With the second half underway, it was all to play for as both sides looked to book their place in the First Round Qualifying.

Looking for a breakthrough, Nailsea & Tickenham made a change with fifty-five minutes on the clock as Harry Walker made way for Ollie Carter.

Shortly after Simon Johnson also introduced a fresh pair of legs as Liam Baker was swapped for Will Shaw.

Simon Johnson would make another set of changes just after the hour mark as he looked to change his attacking options with the introduction of Joel Valentin and Ewan Lynch for Lamin Sankoh and Max Laschok.

Johnson continued to call on his bench in the hope they’d give him the breakthrough and with fifteen minutes of regular time left, Pele Hagger was swapped for Ben Hutchings.

With ninety four minutes Simon Johnson would make a further change as Team Captain Josh Baines was replaced for Noah Chengun, freshening up his attack ahead of what we thought would be an extra 30 minutes of play.

However, Nailsea and Tickenham had other ideas and with ninety five minutes on the clock, City experienced almost certain heartache as a screamer from Miles Hardidge beat Charlie York and gave the hosts the lead.

Full Time: Nailsea & Tickenham 1 v Reading City 0

A disappointing evening on the road but we’ll pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and go again Friday night when we begin our Isuzu FA Vase campaign at ‘home’ to Abingdon United in the First Round Qualifying.

Due to the Rivermoor being used by Reading Festival, this fixture will take place at  our home, away from home – Henley Town Football Club and kick off is 19:45.

More details can be found here