READING FC fans planning to attend the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup second round tie at Bracknell Town next Tuesday (7.30pm) are strongly advised to arrive early in order to get a good vantage point.

While quite modern with its 3G pitch, the Larges Lane ground is very compact – only about three or four rows of fans can comfortably stand behind each goal.

An even bigger problem is car parking. Once players and officials arrive, there will be no room inside the ground and there are very few available places in the immediate vicinity.

The good news, however, is Bracknell are looking to arrange extra parking at the nearby Bracknell & Wokingham College, which is the next turning after Larges Lane, and at St Joseph's School, in Gipsy Lane.

The ground is also quite close to the railway station and town centre car parks.

Top of the Bostik League South Central Division following their 7-1 win over Egham last Tuesday, Bracknell are by far the best supported non-league side in the area – averaging 250 a game – and are anticipating a crowd of between 800 and 1,000 for the visit of Reading.

Their admission charges are the cheapest in the Bostik League and there will be no increases next Tuesday, so it will be £5 with concessions £3.

Reading are expected to field most of their Under 23 squad, but as Bracknell player-manager Carl Davies said: "They have a very large Championship squad, so there could be a chance one or two who have been in the first-team might play.

"Several of our players are Reading fans, so it will be great occasion for them."

  • FOOTBALL history could well have been made last Saturday with three generations from the same family officiating at the same match.

Marc Surtees was the man in the middle for the Thames Valley Premier League match between Berks County and Cookham Dean at Lowther Road with dad Bert and son Paul running the line.

He is due back this coming Saturday for the Premier Division game between County and Reading YMCA, but on this occasion as an assistant.