READING WOMEN return to action this weekend with an exciting clash against FA WSL 1 leaders Manchester City Women.
Both sides are in fine form with City winning 15 out of 15 in all competitions so far while the Royals are unbeaten in nine since losing on the opening day.
Reading are boosted by the arrival of Wales international striker Natasha Harding on a free transfer from Liverpool, but Kelly Chambers’ side are still yet to taste league victory at Adams Park since moving there in 2016.
The game kicks off at 4pm on Sunday and is available to watch on the BBC Red Button.
Reading’s men’s team are on the road with an FA Cup third round trip to Stevenage on Saturday.
PODCAST: Stam’s future and FA Cup team news on the agenda
WOKINGHAM AND EMMBROOK play their first game of 2018 with a tricky trip to Penn and Tylers Green.
Sumas will be buoyed by victory over Hellenic One East leaders Bicester Town last time out.
WOODLEY UNITED are also in league action, taking on Highmoor-Ibis in the Hellenic Premier. Both sides share the Rivermoor Stadium but this will be an official ‘away’ game for the Kestrels.
EVERSLEY AND CALIFORNIA travel to Deportivo Galicia while FINCHAMPSTEAD and HURST clash with each other in the Thames Valley League.
On the rugby field, LONDON IRISH have a vital Premiership clash with Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.
The Exiles are 10 points adrift at the foot of the table and have four weeks of European and cup action after this game.
PREVIEW: London Irish name unchanged side for Leicester trip
REDINGENSIANS RAMS are also back in action with a home game against Worthing Raiders.
The hockey season also eases back into action with games for SOUTH BERKSHIRE and SONNING men while BRACKNELL BEES travel to Swindon in the NIHL 1 South.
PREVIEW: Scott Spearing confident Bees are “back on track” after arresting slump
READING ROCKETS also resume their campaign with two games at Rivermead while the local women’s football leagues get back up and running on Sunday.
FIXTURES (3pm unless stated)
Saturday January 6
FOOTBALL –
FA Cup
Stevenage v Reading
Hellenic Premier Division
Highmoor-Ibis v Woodley United
Hellenic Division One East
Penn and Tylers Green v Wokingham and Emmbrook (2.15pm)
Combined Counties Division One
FC Deportivo Galicia v Eversley and California
Thames Valley Premier Division
Taplow United v Woodley United Royals (2pm)
Westwood United v Wokingham and Emmbrook Reserves (2pm)
Thames Valley Division One
Hurst v Finchampstead (2pm)
RUGBY –
Aviva Premiership
Leicester Tigers v London Irish
National League 2 South
Redingensians Rams v Worthing Raiders (2pm)
South West Premier
Newbury Blues v Bracknell
HOCKEY –
MBBO Regional 2
Reading 3s v Sonning (12pm)
Tring v South Berkshire (12.15pm)
ICE HOCKEY –
NIHL Division 1 South
Swindon Wildcats v Bracknell Bees (6.15pm)
BASKETBALL –
NBL Division One
Reading Rockets v Lancashire Spinners (5pm)
Sunday January 7
FOOTBALL –
FA WSL 1
Reading Women v Manchester City Women (4pm)
Southern Women’s Division One North
Wokingham and Emmbrook Ladies v Woodley United Ladies (2pm)
Thames Valley Counties Division 1
Abingdon United Women v Eversley and California Ladies (2pm)
Thames Valley Counties Division 2 East
Taplow Reds v Binfield Ladies (2pm)
ICE HOCKEY –
NIHL Division 1 South
Bracknell Bees v Basingstoke Bison (6pm)
BASKETBALL –
NBL Division One
Reading Rockets v Team Newcastle University (5pm)
Monday January 8
Hellenic Premier Division
Woodley United v Abingdon United (7.45pm)
