Town Clinch Late Winner - Holyport vs. Reading Town

Border between field and the ground

It was the turn of the FA Vase this weekend and I had intended to travel quite far out but an evening engagement meant that I couldn't go too far from London. I therefore opted for the all Hellenic League tie between Holyport and Reading Town. Reading Town are the early pacesetters in the Hellenic League and sit at the top of the table having won eight out of their eleven league games this season. Holyport were sitting in the lower half of the table having won a third of their league games so far. The two teams had already met in the league this season with Reading coming away with a one nil win. When I visited Reading's Scours Lane ground a few years ago it was also for an FA Vase tie against Larkhall Athletic of the Western League. 

Kick off at Summerleaze Road

The game has a cagey start with a lot of the play occurring in the midfield area. Reading have the first chance when the forward heads over from a left wing cross. They come closer shortly afterwards but the effort from the edge of the box is straight at the goalkeeper. They continue to push forward and a Reading forward blocks a goal bound effort from his own player. Holyport then come very close to the opening goal when the forward chips the ball over the keeper following a weak back header but the effort comes back off the bar. The Holyport forward then goes on a mazy run in to the area but he stumbles at the vital moment and Reading clear the ball. It is Reading who have the last chance of the half but the header at the back post goes wide.

The Reading keeper gathers the ball as an attack breaks down.

A Reading free kick which is easily saved is the first notable action of the first half. Holyport then have a close call when a Holyport defender heads over his bar following a driven cross in to the box. Holyport then create their first chance of the half but the winger elects to shoot when he maybe should have squared the ball to his team mates in the box. Reading almost create a great chance but the pull back to the striker is played just behind him. The game is really beginning to open up and a Holyport dipping half volley goes just over the bar. The games defining moment comes with five minutes to go. The Reading forward is able to create some space for himself and fires home a low, driven effort. Holyport force a couple of free kicks to try and force a leveller but the Reading defence holds firm.  

Holyport looking for a goal in the second half.

The closest train station to Summerleaze Road is Furze Platt. There are no direct trains from London and you have to change at Maidenhead. The journey takes just under an hour and there is only one train an hour from Maidenhead to Furze Platt. The walk from the station to the ground takes about twenty minutes. In between the station and the ground is The Farmers Boy which had Sky Sports and was fairly decent. There is no clubhouse at the ground itself, but I was told by the chairman of neighbouring North Maidenhead Cricket Club that their clubhouse is normally open on match days. The football club couldn't be any more welcoming and I had the immense pleasure of being invited in to the boardroom for cake at half time.

The programme was another brilliant effort at this level. There was plenty of reading and detailed profiles of the players of both sides and match reports from recent matches. I can't speak highly enough of the club and the people who put so much effort in to the club. Well worth a visit.

Riverside of the ground