READING City endured a tough day at the office as they went down 3-1 at home to Brimscombe & Thrupp in the Premier Division on Saturday.

The visitors led 1-0 at the break and in truth could have been further ahead, City goalkeeper Eddie Cavanagh pulling off a trio of outstanding saves to keep his side in the contest.

However, the dam finally broke early in the second period, a quick-fire double from Brimscombe effectively putting the game to bed as a contest.

City did hit back when Adam Cashin-Murray collected a long throw-in from replacement Eddie Lazarczuk before firing home, but Andy Findlay and Rob Creech’s men were unable to breach the away side’s defence any further.

The club received better news when it was announced prolific goalscorer Mitchell Parker has been selected to represent the England Football Association in an ambassadorial visit to the Falkland Islands next month.

Reading City, who have dropped to sixth in the table albeit with games in hand on a number of sides above them in the table, travel to Royal Wootton Bassett Town on Saturday (3pm), before welcoming Virginia Water to Rivermoor in the Perpetua Press Floodlit Cup on Monday night (7.45pm).

DIVISION One East basement boys Woodley United will hope to kickstart their season when they welcome Cirencester Town Development to Rivermoor in the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup on Saturday (3pm).

It has been a dire start to the season for the Kestrels, who have lost their opening 10 matches in all competitions.

Woodley travel to Thatcham Town Development in the Floodlit Cup next Tuesday (7.45pm).

AFC Aldermaston moved to the top of the Division One East table with a sparkling display earning them a 5-0 victory at Chinnor.

Josh Blackwood was the stand-out performer for the Atom Men, helping himself to a brilliant hat-trick with Alex Badshah and Phil John the other goalscorers.

AFC Aldermaston beat Wokingham & Emmbrook 4-1 in the Division One Subsidiary Cup on Tuesday, and host Shrivenham in the Floodlit Cup next Wednesday (7.45pm).