When: Saturday 8th January 2022, 3pm
Where: Stadium, Hoo Road, Kidderminster, DY10 1NB
Capacity: 6,444
So the FA Cup comes round again and Reading have landed themselves a winnable but dreadfully awkward tie away at non-league opposition, the first away tie to such opposition since travelling to Slough Town in 1991 (see the Historically section below) and the first tie against any non-league opposition since beating Welling 1-0 at home back in November 2001.
Fortune could have been kinder and presented a game at home, as Reading have only been beaten at home once by a non league team (2-1 by Bishops Stortford in 1982), but then wouldn’t we all prefer a trip to a proper football ground to experience what little magic there is left in the competition.
Though there is something of a rot to stop (Reading have failed to win any of the last 3 games they’ve played away v non-league opposition) their previous record in the cup with this sort of draw is reasonably decent. Of the 26 games played there have been 15 wins but Reading have been “done” on 5 occasions; 1-0 at Guildford in 1937, 1-0 at Brentwood in 1969, 1-0 at Hendon in 1975, 2-1 at Wealdstone in 1977 and, lastly, 2-1 at Colchester in 1990 (feel free to recall any memories you may have of attending any of those games).
Anyway, on to the game, Kidderminster play in the National League North which equates to the 6th tier of football in this country, this means they play 4 levels below Reading. While not carrying a squad of the standard you'd expect in the 2nd tier they will have a squad of players that "fancy it" and play with a belief they can win the game especially as they have nothing to lose. As a result of this mindset someone needs to make it crystal clear to the Reading management that turning up with a team of youth, reserves, a couple of seniors getting back from injury and attempting to play slow tempo keep ball is likely to lead to embarrassment.
The Harriers have reached this round of the cup after beating Sporting Khalsa (a) 3-1, Ware (h) 3-0 - after a 1-1 draw, Bedfont Sports (a) 1-0, Grimsby Town (h) 1-0 and finally, Maidenhead United's conquerors, Halifax Town (h) 2-0. Their previous best in the competition was achieved in 1994 when the 5th round was reached after defeating Preston and Birmingham City (away) before losing to West Ham.
Like Reading Kiddy have had an enforced lay off over Christmas and the New Year with the last game they played seeing them exit the FA Trophy following a 4-1 thumping away at Boston United on 18 December. However their general form is rather good with the 12 games in all competitions played before their trip to Boston returning 10 wins and 2 draws.
There is not too much league experience amongst the Kidderminster squad but that won't count for anything on the day, the experienced defender Keith Lowe (ex Wolves and a ton of lower league clubs) is possibly the most well known player on their books while winger Elliot Bonds is currently on loan from Cheltenham.
Hoping that Reading do field a reasonably strong team, they need to, IMO, given the enforced lay off irrespective of the rearranged Fulham game turning up shortly after. Failing to do so will very likely make for an uncomfortable ride on the day and as Reading have sold their allocation of tickets one would hope for some respect for that travelling support, not to mention the opposition.
Competition Notes:
- As this is an FA Cup tie clubs in the competition proper are allowed to name up to 9 substitutes of which 5 can be used though only via 3 stoppages to the game. Half time does not count as a game stoppage though. A fourth stoppage is allowed if the game stretches into extra time.
- The game will be played to a conclusion, therefore if the sides are level at 90 minutes there will be 30 minutes extra time and if things are still level at the end of that good old penalties will decide the outcome.
Referee
Gavin “I was going to do the 150 year celebration game v Luton” Ward
Previously
02 Nov 2021 > Millwall 1-0 Reading
02 Mar 2021 > Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
05 Dec 2020 > Reading 2-0 Nottingham Forest
03 Oct 2020 > Reading 1-0 Watford
04 Feb 2020 > Cardiff City 3-3 Reading (FA Cup)
22 Apr 2019 > Reading 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
12 Mar 2018 > Reading 0-3 Leeds United
01 Sep 2018 > Reading 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
25 Aug 2015 > Portsmouth 1-2 Reading (League Cup)
20 Dec 2014 > Reading 0-1 Watford
25 Oct 2014 > Reading 3-0 Blackpool
17 Apr 2012 > Reading 1-0 Nottingham Forest
01 Feb 2011 > Cardiff City 2-2 Reading
16 Mar 2010 > Reading 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
11 Aug 2009 > Reading 5-1 Burton Albion (League Cup)
Historically
The only previous game against Kidderminster Harriers was at Aggborough in a pre-season friendly back in July 2002. Reading won the game by 4 goals to 2 in front of a crowd of 814. Nicky Forster twice, Martin Butler and John Salako got the goals for Reading.
The only player I can find who played for both clubs is Johnny Mullins who played around 40 games in two loan spells at Kidderminster while at Reading in 2004/2005/2006.
And thought I’d provide a couple of random links of FA Cup memories v NL opposition, so below is 23 mins of action from Reading’s collision with Hendon at Elm Park in November 1988:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OMmeB222YE
and the entire aforementioned Slough v Reading game from 1991:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynJgX3_c5M
