FORMER Reading FC reserve team and academy coach Geoff Warner has been left "stunned" after losing his job at Bracknell Town.

"It's the first time I've been sacked in 30 years," said Warner, who spent much of his coaching career with professional clubs, including Crystal Palace.

He guided Bracknell to second place in their first season in the Bostik League's South Central Division, but they were beaten 3-0 by Cheshunt in the promotion decider last Saturday.

Bracknell chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse has wasted no time in finding a replacement, with the new appointment expected to be confirmed before the weekend. He will become the Robins' sixth manager in four years.

Town's Reading-based striker Liam Ferdinand ended the season as the South Central Division's leading scorer with 31 league goals.

The Premier Division's hottest shot was former Reading FC player Jamie Cureton with 22 goals for Bishop's Stortford – not a bad return for a player at the ripe old age of 43.

BERKS & Bucks FA can boast an FA Cup final double, supplying the fourth official for both the men's and women's Wembley showpieces.

Their referees' development officer, Lisa Benn, carried out the duties when Manchester City Women beat West Ham Women 3-0 last Saturday.

And colleague Graham Scott, 50, will follow suit when Manchester City take on Watford on Saturday week, May 18.

It's quite an occasion for the match officials as they are brought together on a Friday evening and stay until Sunday morning.

Lisa also ended up as the substitute fourth official at the Hellenic League Cup final between Ascot United and Windsor at Ardley United last Monday, having gone to the tie as a spectator and without her kit.

When referee Ryan Dix was forced off with a calf injury, Andrew Batten took over in the middle, leaving Lisa in control of the substitutes' board.

The final ended in a 3-1 win for Ascot, whose side included Jonny Denton, son of former Reading FC director Graham Denton, while

their goalkeeping coach is ex-Reading star Jamie Ashdown.