BERKS County were left to rue a disastrous 15-minute period in the first half as they crashed out of the Reading Senior Cup following a 4-0 defeat at Reading City’s Rivermoor.

The opening 20 minutes proved goalless as the two sides nullified one another, but it was the home team who took the lead on 20 minutes when Salhin Abubakar fired home on the half volley.

The lead was doubled shortly after when debutant Rory Merrick headed home a Harvey Griffiths cross, and it was 3-0 in the 28th minute when Ousman Darboe slammed home a penalty after Abubakar was upended in the box.

The fourth goal came in the 33rd minute when Darboe turned provider, Jordan Alves firing home from the edge of the box.

The second half proved less frenetic, with City repelling any attempts by the Swords to work their way back into the tie.