ANT and Dec will be back together at Madejski Stadium tomorrow evening (Friday), writes Dave Wright.

Not the famous TV personalities, but Reading football duo Anthony Mooney and Declan Jacobs.

They manage Highmoor Ibis who take on Wantage Town in the final of the Reading Senior Invitation Cup (7pm).

But it will be a one-off appearance for them, as when the curtain comes down they will be heading for the exit door.

Ant and Dec are set to be replaced by another double act, Andy Findlay and Rob Creech, who have both left Bracknell Town in the past fortnight.

They were in charge of Bracknell’s Suburban League side which has now been dropped.

The incoming and outgoing joint managers stood on opposite sides of the ground at Rivermoor Stadium when Highmoor defeated Marlow United 3-1 in the Senior Cup semi-final last Thursday.

The Hellenic League side looked second best in the opening half and fell behind to a superb goal from Wes Sutherland.

But Mooney and Jacobs shook things up at half time and Ibis looked a totally different side in the second half, finishing the comfortable winners.

“You can say that Ant and Dec got them out of the jungle”, they laughed.

Connor Thorne equalised on 50 minutes and Calum Gallimore, who is dual-registered with Marlow’s Evo-Stik League club, marked his first Highmoor appearance of the season by heading them ahead in the 68th minute.

That goal was set up by Mitchell Parker, as was the third netted by substitute Joe Joslyn eight minutes from time.

“It was definitely a game of two halves,” admitted Jacobs. “We could easily have been four down at half time, but we made a couple of changes for the second half and they made all the difference.

“We showed a better attitude, more energy, particularly in the middle of the park, and up front Joe Joslyn made a difference when he came on.

“Mitch Parker was a different player in the second half and Josh Blackwood was really strong in midfield, but Connor Thorne was man of the match. He ran the show in the centre of midfield, showing bundles of energy and stopped the opposition in their tracks.”

Mooney and Jacobs, who took over following Marcus Richardson’s departure last October, will be hoping for a repeat performance when they face Hellenic League rivals Wantage in Friday’s final.

They added: “As a partnership, we’ve saved the club from relegation and got them to a cup final, so we’ve done a decent job in the time we’ve been here.”

Mooney continued: “Me and Dec will not be here next season unfortunately, as the club has decided to go for different options and we wish the new managers all the best.

“We have really enjoyed our time and appreciate everything the club has done for us. We are now looking for something else to do next season – so Ant and Dec are available.”

The Reading Junior Cup final between South Reading and Stokenchurch is being played at Rivermoor Stadium next Tuesday (7.30pm).

Stokenchurch came from 2-0 down to beat Wokingham & Emmbrook Reserves 3-2 in their semi final on Monday.