Holyport for goals, Berks County for history and good news for Reading

Plus Bracknell, Slough, Maidenhead and Hungerford all kick-off their campaigns at the weekend.

Last weekend was a huge weekend for our Step 5 (and 4) clubs across Berkshire as they began on their Road to Wembley in the FA Cup. Luke Hayden made history as Berks County's first-ever goalscorer in the competition as the club went down 4-1 to Clevedon. Their FA Cup campaign may have been over before their league campaign had begun, however, it was still a historic day for the club.

The league season began for a lot of our Combined Counties clubs on Tuesday with Holyport playing out a 5-4 thriller with Harefield United. It appears that Summerleaze may be the place to go this season for goals and drama.

Tadley Calleva were on the end of a different type of drama as their game at Camberley Town was postponed. Although we're very accustomed to postponements across Step 5 and 6, we don't expect many in August! This time it was floodlight failure rather than waterlogging that saw the game struck off, let's hope they don't have to replay on a Thursday night in April and that the weather is kind this winter.

It's a big day in Step 1-3 on Saturday as our clubs kick off their league seasons. Maidenhead United, Slough Town and Bracknell Town all starting their season with home fixtures. Hungerford Town make the trip to Chertsey. The Curfews have put together some strong teams in recent years, so it's a difficult start for the Crusaders [Top scorer McDonagh undergoes surgery on eve of season - Newbury Weekly News].

Elsewhere in women's football we've had a bit of good news as Reading Women have announced Emma Hopkins will take charge for the upcoming season. Although they've had to drop a few divisions this summer it does feel like the start of some badly needed positivity around the club. They'll surely attract a lot of interest locally and can look forward to a season where they win more games than they lose for the first time in a few years.

If you're going to a game in Berkshire (or beyond) please send us a photo even if it's what you're eating or drinking. (In all honesty, especially if it's what you're eating and drinking).

Steve Gabb (@mirkobolesan)

Berkshire and non-league headlines:

Maidenhead United players raring to return in front of York Road faithful (Maidenhead Advertiser)

Reading FC Women: A new era beckons with Emma Hopkins at the helm (Football in Berkshire)

Top scorer McDonagh undergoes surgery on eve of season (Newbury Weekly News)

Just the FOUR penalties as Thatcham Town make Christchurch pay in FA Cup (Football in Berkshire)

East Berks Football League spreading its wings for 24/25 season (Football in Berkshire)

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