Reading lift Berks and Bucks Senior Cup title with hard-fought Marlow victory

Reading Under-21s started their crunch week with silverware, lifting the historic Berks and Bucks Senior Cup.

In a rematch of the first-ever Senior Cup final way back in 1879, Noel Hunt's Royals enacted revenge on Marlow for last year's semi-final exit, beating Mark Bartley's side 2-1 at Bottom Meadow, Sandhurst.

The young Royals dominated their non-league opponents in the first half, putting themselves in the driving seat at the break after goals from Jeremiah Okine-Peters and Adrian Akande.

Marlow, who earned promotion through the play-offs last week, looked stronger after the break and pulled one back through Brandon Curtis' spectacular set-piece routine.

Seeing out the game well, and hitting the crossbar through Michael Strickland, Reading lifted the crown for the second time under Hunt, winning the award back in 2022.

More than 600 supporters turned out on a beautiful evening, many staying long after the final whistle to celebrate with the squad and trophy.

On Monday, Reading host Sunderland in the semi-final of the PL2 play-offs, with the winner travelling to Tottenham or Chelsea for the PL2 grand final.