Berks & Bucks Cup: Magpies mauled by Reading Academy while Rebels soar past Abingdon United

Sam Barratt’s (not pictured) Olympico goal last night. Credit: Darren Woolley

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Maidenhead United 1, Reading Academy 5

There were contrasting fortunes for Maidenhead United and Slough Town in the quarter finals of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup last night (Tuesday).

The Magpies have been in excellent league form of late under interim management duo Ryan Peters and Aaron O’Brien, but they fell short of their recent standards - or their focus was on Saturday’s league clash at Hampton & Richmond Borough - as they crashed to a 5-1 home defeat to Reading Academy.

Peters and O’Brien made 10 changes for the tie, with Will de Havilland the only survivor from Saturday’s impressive 2-0 league win over National League South leaders Hornchurch.

A new face in Harry Pashley made the starting XI, alongside Harvey Collins, Chanse Headman, Callum Harriott, Asher Yearwood, Harry Pritchard, Corie Andrews, Sam Barratt, Jaydan, Dundas, Noah Stewart but this was very much an untried and untested Magpies line up.

As such, the young Royals proved too strong for their hosts and quickly set about establishing an unassailable lead.

Sean Patton fired home from Ahmed’s cut back in the fourth minute to make it 1-0. Reece Evans then broke free from the Magpies’ defence to slot home the Royals second in the 14th minute, and a third goal from Shay Spencer - who coolly slotted home from the edge of the area - pretty much put the tie to bed in the 21st minute.

Will de Havilland was forced off with an injury after 25 minutes and was replaced by Owen Cochrane. It will be interesting to see if he’s able to recover in time for Saturday’s trip to the Beveree.

United briefly restored some hope when Barratt whipped the ball in direct from a corner for an ‘Olympico’ goal just before half-time, but the Magpies’ fortunes failed to improve after the break - despite the introduction of Josh Popoola and Jordon Ragguette for Harry Pritchard and Callum Harriott.

Basil Tuma turned in Patton’s low delivery to score Reading’s fourth in the 78th minute and the impressive Jeremiah Okine-Peters smashed into an empty net from Ahmed’s clever square pass to round off the scoring in the 82nd minute.

Tonight's Berks and Bucks Senior Cup tie is being live streamed from York Road

Tune in from wherever you are in the world to watch via the link below

Watch here https://t.co/KoXtcZlJ79

— Maidenhead United (@MUFCYorkRoad) December 9, 2025

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Slough Town 3, Abingdon United 0

The Magpies bow out in the final eight, but the Rebels marched on confidently, defeating Abingdon United 3-0 at Arbour Park to slightly ease the pain of Sunday’s FA Cup second round defeat to Macclesfield.

Brian Nelson grabbed the Rebels’ opener in the 17th minute, smashing home a low shot from the edge of the area after Tyrese Dyce’s cross from the left found Jared Myers and his attempt rebounded for the lurking midfielder.

Tonight's opening goal scored by Brian Nelson. #OneSlough #BBFACountyCups pic.twitter.com/cnssLNcie7

— Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc) December 9, 2025

Jaiden Drakes-Thomas, Luke Holness and Jordan Greenidge then combined to set up Myers for a high finish into the back of the net, the Rebels’ move slicing through the middle of Abingdon’s defence on the half-hour mark.

A third goal followed in the 74th minute when Josh Adepoju saw his shot from the edge of the box beaten away only for Drakes-Thomas to return it with interest, guiding a low, left-footed shot into the back of the net.

The third from Jaiden Drakes-Thomas. #OneSlough #BBFACountyCups pic.twitter.com/Rz199Na4G5

— Slough Town FC (@sloughtownfc) December 9, 2025

The home side could have netted more, but Scott Davies’ side were more than worthy of their place in the final four.

There was also a big win for Wycombe Wanderers in the competition last night (Tuesday) as they thrashed Bracknell Town 5-0 away from home. The final quarter final tie is due to take place between Hungerford Town and the winner of Chesham United vs Milton Keynes Dons. That third round tie is taking place at The Meadow this evening (December 10).

The draw for the semi-finals will be made in due course.