It's Emirates FA Cup action at the ASM Stadium this weekend as Thame United entertain Reading City in the first qualifying round, which sees 224 teams take part in 112 ties.The remaining Step four and Step five teams from the preliminary round are joined by 88 step three teams from the Northern Premier, Southern Premier, and Isthmian League Premier Divisions.

Reading City first entered the FA Cup in the 2013 / 2014 season and have been an ever present since, with their best run in the 2023 / 2024 season reaching the second qualifying round going out after a replay. This season Reading eliminated Tring in the extra preliminary round and then Fairford Town in the preliminary round with a 2 - 0 home victory. Thame made their first-ever appearance in the prestigious competition during the 1976–77 season. Aside from a three-season gap between 1985 and 1988, they have participated in every single iteration of the tournament, with their best performance coming in the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons, when they reached the fourth qualifying round. Last season the club came through the preliminary round with a 3-1 away victory at Clevedon Town, before going down 2-1 at Step 3 Chertsey Town in the first qualifying round. This season they had a fairly comfortable victory in the preliminary round beating Brislington FC 7 - 1 at the ASM Stadium.

It's the first time the two teams have met in any competition. The visitors to the ASM Stadium this weekend have been at Step 5 in the Combined Counties Premier Division North for the last five years being promoted ahead of the 2012 season. Last season they finished in sixth place just missing out on a spot in the play offs, this season they have played nine competitive matches sitting in seventh place in the league with three wins, a draw and three defeats.

Thame are a little way behind in terms of fixtures with only five competitive games played, after the opening day defeat to Royston, the team is now unbeaten in four games, after the 3 - 3 draw against Ware and FA Cup preliminary round victory there was an impressive away win against Westbury United on Saturday in the FA Trophy, followed by an away victory at Marlow on Bank Holiday Monday with Harry Alexander bagging a hat trick.

Reading have the Combined Counties Premier League North leading goalscorer amongst their ranks with Riley Denny leading the way with 7 goals this season. With Harry Alexander second in the Southern League Central Division One goal scoring table with three goals from three games.

If the tie is all square at full time, there will be a replay on Tuesday 8 September, kick-off 19:45, at The Rivermoor, Scours Lane, Reading, RG30 6AY, with the winner advancing to the second qualifying round to be played on Saturday 19 September.

Kick Off at the ASM Stadium 15:00

COLOURS:
Thame United will be playing in Red / Black Shirts, Black Shorts, Red Socks, GK All Yellow
Reading FC will be playing in ​Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks, GK All Green

TEAM MANAGERS:
Thame Manager - Ben Williams
Reading FC Manager - Simon Johnson

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Edwin Sensei
Assistant Referee: Thomas Raffan
Assistant Referee: Brian Chapel

GROUND
The ASM Stadium, Meadow View Park, Thame, Oxon OX9 3RN, 01844 214401

PRICES:
Adults £10, Concessions / Students £5, U16 £3, Under 5s Free