Smillie off to Arsenal
Premier League club will check out Thatcham midfielder's injury to speed recovery
INJURED Thatcham Town midfielder Jack Smillie is off to Arsenal - to receive treatment on the ankle injury he collected in last Wednesday's friendly win over an Aldershot Town side.
Smillie sustained ankle ligament damage that threatened a lengthy spell out of action, but the hope is that the Arsenal staff will be able to diagnose and recommend treatment to ensure a quicker recovery.
"Jack's father arranged it," said Thatcham manager Gary Ackling. "Jack thinks he could be back in three weeks, but I think that could be optimistic."
Thatcham continued their good pre-season form when beating Basingstoke Town 2-1 at Waterside Park on Tuesday night, Scott Rees and Marc Green scoring the home side.
They now face Swindon Supermarine at home on Saturday to wrap up their warm-up programme.
HUNGERFORD TOWN have toe more games in advance of their August 13 league kick-off.
They entertain Middlesex League Singh Sabha Slough on Thursday night and have Hellenic League newcomers Highmoor-Ibis as guests on Saturday.
NEWBURY have completed the signing of striker Jeff Kalejaiye from Uxbridge and he got off the mark when scoring in Saturday's 5-3 warm-up defeat away to Cirencester Acaddemy.
Newbury travel to Binfield for their latest pre-season game on Saturday for a 2pm kick-off.
FIXTURES - Thursday, August 4: Hungerford Town v Singh Sabha Slough (7.45pm).
Saturday, August 6: Reading v Millwall - Binfield v Newbury - Fleet Spurs v AFC Aldermaston - Hungerford Town v Highmoor-Ibis - Kintbury Rangers v Whitchurch United - Thatcham Town v Swindon Supermarine - Thatcham Town Res v Highworth Town (12 noon) - Turnpike Sports v Highworth Town Res.
Tuesday, August 9: League Cup - Charlton v Reading. Friendly: Lambourn Sports v Pewsey Vale.
Wednesday, August 10: Hungerford Town Res v Andover New Street.