Slough Town beat Reading FC’s 40-year record and are on the brink of FA Cup history

For the first time in 40 years, a Berkshire team other than Reading FC will hold the furthest title in the FA Cup.

That almost happened two years ago when Reading, Maidenhead United, Slough Town and Bracknell Town were all in the First Round; however, only the Royals won their match, beating MK Dons 3-2 at home.

On Saturday it finally happened as Slough beat Altrincham 2-1 on Saturday with goals from Ansu Janneh and Wiktor Makowski, beating a side a division higher in the Enterprise National League, while Reading under new manager Leam Richardson surrendered a 2-0 lead at home to Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United, losing 3-2 with Regan Linney scoring twice in stoppage time before completing his hat-trick in Extra Time.

Scott Davies’ men drew at home in the 25/26 FA Cup Second Round against National League North Macclesfield and could break their own FA Cup record if they reach the Third Round.

1982/83 was the last time it came when Slough, once again, beat Millwall in the First Round while Reading lost to Bishops Stortford.

It was a difficult period for Reading, who bounced between League One and League Two, the Biscuitmen (as they were), relegated at the end of the season along with Wrexham, Doncaster Rovers and Chesterfield.

However, things started to change for the club particularly in the FA Cup with progress to the Fourth Round in 85/86 and a Third Round tie at home to Arsenal the following season where they were beaten 3-1.

Returned to Slough in 82/83and as fate would have it, the Rebels’ progress was halted by Reading’s conquerors, Bishop’s Stortford, who won 4-1 at Wexham Park. The game, as many Rebels fans of a certain era know, had televised highlights.

The Blues’ opening goal early in the second half involved a heavy challenge on Slough goalkeeper Kevin Mitchell, who no doubt knows that doubts would be raised on Twitter if it happened today.

The Slough Town report from this match is here.

Archives: The real heroes of the East Berkshire FA Cup first round

What about Bishop’s Stortford? Their FA Cup campaign ended in the Third Round when they lost the replay at home to Football League Division Two (now Championship) Middlesbrough 2–1 after a 2–2 draw at Ayresome Park.

If there was an element of revenge for the Rebels, Slough finished the Isthmian League Premier Division season in seventh, ahead of Bishop’s Stortford who ended the season in 13th.

Slough Town’s 1982/83 FA Cup journey

1Q Salisbury (H) 2-0
2Q Basingstoke Town (A) 2-2
2Qr Basingstoke Town (H) 2-0
3Q Frome Town (H) 3-0
4Q Bideford (H) 7-1
1R Millwall (H) 1-0
2R Bishop's Stortford (H) 1-4

Reading FA Cup 1982/83 FC

1R Bishop's Stortford (H) 1-2

FA Cup data comes from the excellent FCHD website.

Is Slough Town Berkshire’s most successful FA Cup team?

There is of course an argument that Slough Town are Berkshire’s most successful FA Cup team. The Rebels have reached the Second Round three times since 2017/18 when they were beaten by Rochdale and Gillingham the following season.

Last season the Rebels lost their Fourth Qualifying Round match at Woking 2-1 and the season before that, took EFL League Two Grimsby Town to a replay after Scott Davies’ fine goal earned a 1-1 draw at Arbor Park.

However, this argument is at odds with Slough’s FA Cup record as the club with the most entries to the Second Round without progressing to the Third Round, currently nine times.

Reading fans will no doubt argue that their club has been more successful, especially after the narrow 2015 semi-final defeat to Arsenal at Wembley. The Royals however, typically join the competition after most of the Berkshire teams have been eliminated, although they reached the Fifth Round in 19/20 and the Quarter Finals in 15/16.

When is Slough Town vs Macclesfield in the FA Cup Second Round?

Slough Town’s 2025/26 FA Cup Second Round tie with Macclesfield will take place on the weekend of Saturday 6 December. When tickets become available, they will be sold via the club’s Ticket Shop here.

As per FA Cup rules, there are no replays in the ‘Proper’ Round and the match will be decided by penalty shootout if the score is level after 30 minutes of extra time.

Before the Macclesfield game, Slough have a number of National League games and an FA Cup tie at home to Southern League Gloucester City.