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    • Weekend preview: FA Cup tests for Slough and Flackwell as Marlow fight to reignite season

    Daniel Darlington

    danield@baylismedia.co.uk

    06:00AM, Friday 26 September 2025

    Johnny Goddard. Photo: Zak Rana

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    Bedfont Sports vs Slough Town (FA Cup)

    Slough Town can put their league concerns to one side this weekend as they return to FA Cup action and a winnable looking third qualifying round tie away to step four side Bedfont Sports.

    Having progressed past Welling United after a replay at Arbour Park in the second qualifying round, the Rebels were once again drawn out against lower league opponents in the third qualifying round as they look to replicate club’s recent runs to the first and second rounds of the competition.

    Two seasons ago they had their moment in the spotlight after reaching the first round, where Scott Davies’ first half free kick put them in front against League 2 Grimsby Town. The Mariners fought back to force a replay at Arbour Park and comfortably beat the non-league side at Blundell Park, but Davies said afterwards they’d created memories that would last a lifetime.

    Under previous managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood, they reached the second round of the competition twice in the space of a few seasons.

    Slough should be favourites to progress to the final qualifying round on Saturday against a Bedfont side who’ve struggled for form in the league but have claimed some decent scalps in the FA Cup.

    So far, they’ve managed to negotiate their way past Kingstonian, Littlehampton Town and Hanwell Town and they’ll be hopeful of causing another cup upset when the Rebels visit the Bedfont Sports Club this weekend.

    Bedfont sit 15th in the Isthmian League South Central Division having won two of their five matches so far, but it’s in the FA Cup that they’ve really excelled.

    Slough head into the tie off the back of a frustrating 5-2 home defeat to Hornchurch, a result that leaves them 19th in the National League South.

    The tie kicks off at 3pm.

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    Flackwell Heath vs Bracknell Town (FA Cup)

    In one of the matches of the round, Flackwell Heath will host local rivals Bracknell Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, with the Heathens hoping they can ‘pack Wilks Park’ for the third qualifying round tie.

    Flackwell go into the tie off the back of consecutive 1-1 draws in the league against Leverstock Green and Enfield, when victories in both would have taken them top of the Southern League Central Division.

    That was seen as a missed opportunity; however, manager Chris Ayres admits the players may have been a little distracted by this weekend’s fixture against Matt Saunders’ Southern League Premier South side.

    The Robins defeated Flackwell in the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup last season, however, they’ve made a poor start to the season and sit bottom of their league after eight matches. That poor form led to Saunders replacing Jordan Ive, and with Flackwell’s most eye-catching results and performances this season coming in the FA Cup, this tie could be ripe for an upset.

    Flackwell - who have reached the third qualifying round for the first time in 11 years - also have home advantage and tickets for the tie at Wilks Park can be purchased here. Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday.

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    Marlow vs Hadley (Southern League Central Division)

    Marlow will be looking to jump start their underwhelming league campaign when they host in-form Hadley at Oak Tree Road on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

    The Blues have fallen into bit of a trough of late, losing 2-0 away at Stotfold on September 13 to round off a run of four straight defeats.

    Those losses have seen Mark Bartley’s side bow out of the FA Cup to Chatham and the FA Trophy to Three Bridges, while they’ve also slumped to 17th in the Southern League Central Division table - outside of the relegation places on goal difference alone.

    However, their league season is only four matches old, and Bartley believes he’s identified the issues that have been causing his side problems of late.

    He expects to iron out these deficiencies in the coming weeks, having spotted a weakness in midfield, and believes the club can kick on and still have a very productive season.

    Having been relegated from the Southern League Premier South last season, they were expected to compete for promotion this season - or at the very least a top half finish.

    Hadley are the visitors to Oak Tree Road this Saturday. They’re unbeaten in the league since the opening day and sit fifth in the table.

    The game kicks off at 3pm and tickets can be bought on the turnstile with cash or card.

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    Combined Counties Premier Division North

    Holyport kick off the action in the Combined Counties Premier Division North this weekend, with a trip to Hilltop on Friday evening.

    Lee Ovens and Dan Rapley’s side held second placed Windsor & Eton to a goalless draw at Summerleaze Park on Saturday, a result which should give them some confidence after a mixed start to the season in the league and cup.

    Hilltop are eighth in the table however, many of their better results have come at home, so perhaps 17th placed Holyport can take some heart from that.

    Elsewhere in the division on Saturday, leaders Burnham travel to Amersham Town looking to bounce back after consecutive defeats in the cup and league.

    The Blues won their first six matches in the division but were tripped up away to Hilltop and were also beaten Wallingford & Crowmarsh 2-0 on Saturday.

    Mo and Omz Bakali’s Blues also slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Abbey Rangers in the Premier Challenge Cup second round so have fallen into a tricky run of form after their bright start.

    11th placed Amersham Town are in similar form having lost their last three matches in all competitions.

    Burnham lead the division by three points from Windsor & Eton, with Rob Webb’s Royalists taking on Reading City at Stag Meadow on Saturday. Windsor & Eton have lost just one league game all season - at home to Burnham.

    The draw for the first round proper of the FA Vase has also been made, with Windsor & Eton set to make the trip to Whitchurch United on Saturday, October 18. 

    Burnham FC

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