Reading City 1 Wallingford & Crowmarsh 1
Combined Counties League Premier Division North
A visit to Reading City is always a stroll down memory lane for me. Many moons ago, back in the early 70s, I used to be a frequent visitor to the Tilehurst Stadium for the speedway before it was demolished with the Reading Racers moving to the Smallmead stadium. The smell of the cinder track and the roar of the engines was thrilling for a 6 or 7 year old. Knowing I was heading to this game I looked up some pictures of the old stadium which brought it all flooding back. Watching Anders Michenek, the Swedish superstar of the Racers then, taking on legends in John Louis and Ivan Mauger is a very fond memory.
The stadium is long gone and little remains but there are still signs. The trading area now standing on the site is called the Stadium Way Industrial Estate and signs like those below give a gentle hint to the areas past.
So after having a little reminisce I wandered through the dull and damp weather, under the bridge and through to the football ground for this local derby with Wallingford & Crowmarsh. Both sides were sitting in mid-table, locked together on 25 points going into this match with the hosts just ahead thanks to goal difference. Entry into the Rivermoor Stadium was £8 and, while there wasn’t a printed programme, there was a digital version available which you can download here.
One of the other reasons for heading to Scours Lane was to finally try out the joke social media post turned internet sensation, the Chinese Selection Box. Turns out the hype is well founded and it didn’t take long for me to finish off the thai curry, fried chicken slices, noodles, spring rolls and chicken balls. Keep an eye out for a full review on Football in Berkshire soon!
So onto the game and it started at a high pace on a testing surface with both sides forcing early corners which were well dealt with by the respective defences.
City had a free kick just outside the 18 yard box which was floated over the wall but cleared well before anyone in blue could get on the end of it. The visitors broke quickly down the left and Caelan Isaac latched onto a through ball and was sent sprawling inside the box. The official initially blew for a penalty but quickly changed his mind after seeing his assistant with his flag up indicating Isaac was in an offside position.
The game continued at a furious pace but with no space being given, the game was littered with misplaced passes, niggly free kicks and with neither goalkeeper really being tested. A decent surging run from City’s Pele Hagger took him from halfway into the box where he tried to find Josh Baines with a delicate pass but a defender read it and just managed to get a foot in to clear.
In the 31st minute the visitors had the ball in the net. A short corner routine ended in a cross towards the far post where it was headed back across the goal and, after a scramble, was poked into the net. Once again though, the referee’s assistant on the far side had his flag raised for offside for the initial header.
The game continued with to half time littered with free kicks but with no further chances.
H-T: Reading City 0 Wallingford & Crowmarsh 0
Reading had the first chance of the second half when a cross into the box found the head of Ewan Lynch but his header was reminiscent of the thruppenny bit head of Iain Dowie back in the day, ending up nearer to the corner flag than the goal.
The hosts continued to probe and, ten minutes into the half, received their reward. A ball from the left found Baines in space on the edge of the area and his first time belter flew over keeper Alex Pratt and into the roof of the net. 1-0
Wallingford responded well and forced a succession of corners, one was missed at the near post with Charlie York in the City goal just getting a touch in the six yard box and the ball hacked away before Euan Aitchison could touch it home. Next a short corner was curling in from the angle of the box by David Lynn, headed clear but only to Aiden Higgs who headed goalwards. This was spilt by York but he quickly recovered in front of a couple waiting Wallingford players.
On 78 minutes the visitors’ pressure paid off. A long clearance from Ben Taylor bounced on the edge of the box with York hesitating; Euan Aitchison gambled and headed the ball over the keeper to level the match. 1-1
Both sides pushed to grab a winner in the last ten with both having half chances but the defences held strong and the game finished with the local rivals sharing the spoils.
F-T: Reading City 1 Wallingford & Crowmarsh 1
A tough closely contested game between two closely matched sides where neither side gave an inch throughout, ended with both sides taking a point which was probably a fair result. I wish all the best to both sides for the rest of the season.
To see photos from the game, check out the club’s gallery courtesy of Peter Toft.