Day: 14 August 2023

FA Cup

Match Preview: Wokingham & Emmbrook FC – Away

Wokingham & Emmbrook FC

After a disappointing start to the league season, the Moles are on the road for the first of two cup games. This one is trip to Wokingham & Emmbrook FC in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

Matchday: August 18th, 2023
Kickoff: 7.45 pm

About Wokingham & Emmbrook FC

Wokingham Town, founded in 1875, experienced local league success before entering various leagues including the Metropolitan, Delphian, Corinthian, and Athenian Leagues, and finally the Isthmian League in 1973. Achieving promotion to the Premier Division in 1982, they reached the first round of the FA Cup in 1982–83 and the FA Trophy semi-finals in 1987–88. Financial difficulties led to a decline in the 1990s, resulting in relegations. They moved grounds several times, ultimately settling at Emmbrook Sports’s Lowther Road. The club’s fortunes improved, winning the Reading Senior Cup in 2008–09, gaining promotion, and participating in the FA Cup. The plan to merge with Woodley Town didn’t materialize. Wokingham & Emmbrook won consecutive Reading Senior Cup titles in 2012 and 2013, while also achieving league success in the Hellenic Division One East. Their Reading Senior Cup victories continued, winning four times consecutively until 2015, alongside their first-ever league title. In 2021, they were promoted to the Combined Counties League Premier Division South due to their performance in the abandoned 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons.

This Season

The Moles kicked off their season with a disappointing 6-0 defeat away to Ashford Town (Middx) FC. Wokingham & Emmbrook FC started their season the weekend before with a 1-0 against Cinderford FC in FA Cup followed by a 3-1 defeat to Reading City in their first league game.

Last season, in the FA Cup, Wokingham & Emmbrook lost in the Extra Preliminary Round 3-2 to Ardley. The Moles lost 5-3 to Beckenham Town in the 3rd qualifying round, beating step 2 Tonbridge Angels 4-0 in the 2nd qualifying round on the way.

Tickets

Prices are;

  • Adults – £8
  • Concessions – £4
  • Under 16 – £1. Free if wearing wearing home or away colours

Tickets can be purchased online or on the gate.

About Lowther Road

Address: Lowther Road, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG41 1HY.

Nearest Station: Wokingham.

Our Record Breaking FA Cup Run

As we start our journey in this seasons FA Cup, we take a look back at last seasons FA Cup where, for the first time, we got through to the Third Qualifying round.

Preliminary Round

Our FA Cup run started away in the Preliminary Round against Kidlington in the Southern League Division One Central. Second half goals from Taylor Morgan, Connor Holland and Sean Moore ensured that the Moles progressed into the next round.

First Qualifying Round

In the First Qualifying Round, we drew Holyport FC of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North away. They had beaten Risborough Rangers and Ascot United to reach the 1st Qualifying Round for the first time. A close game with the Moles winning with a late Liam Tack penalty.

Second Qualifying Round

The Second Qualifying Round was the first home tie of the run with a game against National League South side Tonbridge Angels. In the 2020-21 season, the Angels had reached the 1st round of the FA Cup before losing to Bradford City. They reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup in three successive seasons, 1950–51, 1951–52 and 1952–53, only to lose each of the three after a replay.

In front of a crowd of 389 and on a pitch that was in desperate need of a lawn mower (copyright Tonbridge Angels), the Moles scored won 4-0 thanks to second half goals from Sean Moore, Johnny Efedje, Lewis Pegg and Brad Pagliaroli. This took the Moles through to the Third Qualifying Round for the first time in their history.

Third Qualifying Round

The draw for the Third Qualifying Round took the Moles back on the road to Beckenham Town of the Isthmian League South East Division. The hosts were 3-2 up at half-time with Binfield fighting back twice through Liam Tack and Sean Moore while Tack scored again in the second half to make it 5-3. The Moles record-breaking run was over.

This seasons FA Cup run start with an away trip to Wokingham & Emmbrook FC. How far will the FA Cup journey take us this year?