READING FC Under 23s will now face Slough Town in the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.

The National League South side were reinstated to the competition after Marlow, who defeated them 1-0, had been kicked out for playing two ineligible players in their semi-final.

Slough will have home advantage with the tie on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, still going ahead on the 3G pitch at Arbour Park, but that could be balanced out by the fact they will be forced to field a depleted team.

Aware of the competition rules relating to who can and cannot play, they struggled to get a side out against Marlow last month, having only 13 eligible players and were forced to register joint managers Neil Baker and Jon Underwood, along with goalkeeping coach Trent Phillips, with the last two being named as subs.

There was speculation both Slough and Reading had also used an ineligible player in the semi-finals, but the B&B FA do no check every team list and any protest by the opposing club has to be submitted within three days of the tie being played.

Unless the rather complex competition rules are made clearer, some clubs may think twice about entering the Senior Cup next season.

READING hockey star Lee Morton, now part of the Great Britain squad, has been named in the England League's Premier Division all-star team for this season.

And the club's player-coach Jo Ellis is the Investec Women's League Conference West player of the season, as well as being selected in their all-star team.

Having recovered from a leg injury, Reading goalkeeper Amy Tennant returns to the GB squad for their FIH Pro League game against Germany in Moenchengladbach next Wednesday.

BOBBY Malik, who was originally named as head coach, is now expected to play for Reading Cricket Club as well as they begin life in the Thames Valley League Division Two. He had left Sonning Lane two years ago to play for West Berkshire club Falkland.

They will be skippered by Atif Nasim, who has also returned to Sonning Lane, having previously led the 2nd XI.