READING City have made a dream start to the new season with two thumping wins – 5-1 at Shrivenham and 4-0 at home to Abingdon United, writes Dave Wright.

But, while delighted with those results, joint managers Andy Findlay and Rob Creech are keeping their feet firmly on the ground.

“We are certainly not getting carried away at this early stage,” said Findlay. “It is going to be a long, hard season, we know that.

“It’s just the start of the process for us, we’ve still got a lot of work to do with the players. There is a lot more to come.”

Findlay and Creech have signed virtually a brand new team, although it is one of the old Highmoor Ibis brigade who has taken star billing so far.

Mitchell Parker, who ‘signed’ for Bracknell Town last month only to return a few weeks later, bagged a hat-trick at newly-promoted Shrivenham, with Jack Powell and Matt Hancock adding one goal apiece.

And Parker followed up with a brace on Monday. He gave his side an early lead from the penalty spot after Jamie Connor had been brought down and Powell doubled the lead with a low shot from the right into the far corner.

Muctaru Conte netted a well-deserved goal to make it 3-0 10 minutes into the second half and then had a hand in the fourth goal netted by Parker on 70 minutes.

“Mitch is a fantastic player,” said Findlay. “But we have a number of other lads who can pop up to score as well.

“On Saturday, we should have had another four or five goals and it was again much the same on Monday.

“If we carry on creating as many chances in a game, then some team one-day is going to get a real pasting. But at the same time, other teams will get to know our players and will look to set up in a bid to stop us.”

City take on Toolstation Western League Premier Division side Chipping Sodbury Town in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup at Rivermoor Stadium on Saturday. The winners will be away to Winslow United or Easington Sports two weeks later.

City are then away to Binfield in a league game on Monday (7.45pm).

“Binfield have a good set up and are one of the favourites to win the league,” commented Findlay. “They will be very hard to break down and will be a massive test for us without any shadow of a doubt.”