READING FC Under 23s were last night (Wednesday) still waiting to hear whether they will be playing Slough or Marlow in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup final next Monday.

And it appears the final decision is now out of the control of the competition organisers.

Marlow's appeal against the B&B's decision to throw them out after being found guilty of playing two ineligible players in their 1-0 semi-final win over Slough is now being investigated by another county association, believed to be the Oxfordshire FA.

In the meantime, the B&B have decided to switch the venue from Slough's Arbour Park to Bracknell Town's ground in Larges Lane, where Reading won 2-0 in the second round of the competition.

If Marlow's appeal is unsuccessful, it will complete a miserable week for the side managed by Reading-based Mark Bartley as last Tuesday, they lost 2-1 at Cheshunt in the semi-finals of the Bostik League South Central Division play-offs.

As a result of all the confusion over the eligibility of players – and question marks have even loomed over teams fielded by Reading and Slough – the B&B will be advised to conduct a review of the competition rules before next season.

And that also goes for the Reading Challenge Cup organisers, who took quite a grilling from Wantage manager Paul Braithwaite over the side Reading City intended fielding in last Wednesday's Senior Cup semi-final.

The Hellenic League champions won 2-0 and will now play AFC Aldermaston in the final at Madejski Stadium on Friday, May 17.

l READING City are among numerous clubs who have paid tribute to Darrell 'Duds' Freeland who passed away last weekend at the age of 43.

Whilst he had been seriously ill in hospital for several months, the news has still deeply shocked all those who knew him.

He was one of the best-known faces in local football circles, a respected authority on everything connected with non-league matters, on and off the field.

Reading City said: "Darrell was a real non-League man and a good friend to all clubs, he will be sorely missed.