IT was a case of joy and despair last Saturday for Harrison Gilkes, the son of Reading FC first-team coach Michael Gilkes.

The talented 23-year-old midfielder made his debut for Bracknell Town, who acquired him on dual registration forms with Slough.

Harrison, back in action after a lengthy lay-off with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, looked Bracknell’s best player and scored in their 3-2 defeat at Wantage.

But shortly after his cracking goal, he pulled up sharply with what appeared to be a hamstring problem and took no further part in the game.

  • FOOTBALL club officials, coaches, players and referees are being given another opportunity to have their say following the launch of this year’s grassroots survey.

The Football Association’s Director of Participation and Development, Kelly Simmons, comments: “The survey has started to become a fixture of the football season at this level.

“The feedback provided in this survey will allow us to continue prioritising and maximising in the areas that really matter, so I would encourage everyone from Berks & Bucks FA who is directly involved in the game to take part.”

  • READING Hockey Club are to host a special day on Saturday, October 21.

Going under the title of Hoktoberfest, there will be national league fixtures starting at 4.30pm involving the women’s and men’s first teams, with off-field attractions including a German food stall and bar, with the proceedings being rounded off by a disco.

Entry is £10 per person, but for that, you will get a free beer glass.

  • ABBEY School, Reading, recently welcomed the relatively new Hockey for Heroes ladies team.

And a member of staff, Aurora Mears, played for them against her Reading HC teammates, having joined the Sonning Lane club from Holcombe, where she was No. 2 to GB star Maddie Hinch.

Hockey for Heroes won the match 4-2 with Zoe Bates and Lizzie Pegg scoring the Reading goals.

Fran Harvey, who played in goal for Reading, said: "We were all delighted to be involved in a match for a good cause."