WOODLEY Town have taken advantage of state-of-the-art training facilities in order to keep ticking over during the recent cold snap.

Woodley are one of the few clubs in the area whose training has not been hampered by the weather as they have been working at Reading FC's Dome, courtesy of manager Cyril Fairchild and his links with Reading Academy coach Steve Smith, who has been helping out with coaching for the last six months.

And Fairchild has noticed a marked improvement in the players because of it.

"The boys have responded so well. They've listened to me and Steve and they have become better players," he said.

"They haven't been missing any training sessions and the workrate has been fantastic."

That continuity in training could be the key this Saturday when they take on Reading Football League's Theale in the second round of the Reading Senior Cup (3pm ko).

"It's going to a tough game even though they're a league lower," admitted Fairchild. "I don't know much about them but they'll be a strong side so we've got to be professional about it."

Louis Howell has also joined from Didcot Town, meaning the Woodley boss has the luxury of choosing from a squad of 20 ahead of the cup clash.

However, Fairchild emphasised that his team are still a work in progress and added: "We've surprised a few teams this season. I hope we can keep this side together."

Over Christmas they beat Newbury in the cup then three days later they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Hungerford Reserves and, most recently, they beat high-flying Thatcham Town Reserves 2-1.

In two weeks' time, Woodley play Shortwood United in the third round of the Hellenic Challenge Cup, a game the Woodley manager is already looking forward to.

"Shortwood are going really well in the league and they're still in the FA Vase so it's a massive game for us." he commented.

"We've got nothing to lose and it's fantastic for the club."

Woodley's postponed game against Chinnor last Saturday has been rescheduled for April 18.

Elsewhere, Reading Town will be bidding to play their first match in February when they travel to high-flying Oxford City Nomads this Saturday (3pm ko).

When the sides last met in the Hellenic Premier at Scours Lane it was Oxford who came out on top 2-1, with Ray Spence seeing red after just 26 minutes.

Spence will be hoping to have a more positive impact on Saturday as Town take on one of the form sides in the division.

Oxford have won their last nine league matches since suffering a shock defeat to lowly Fairford Town and could go joint top if they win their two games in hand.

Meanwhile, Reading's match with Slimbridge, which was postponed last weekend due to the frost, has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 13.

In Hellenic Division One East, Highmoor Ibis face a tough task as they travel to Lambourn Sports on Saturday (3pm ko).

Both sides have performed well in the division after winning promotion last year, with Highmoor topping the table and Lambourn fifth, just eight points behind and with three games in hand.