YMCA returned to league football for the first time since early December against an in form Taplow side. YM, for the first time in 2 years, played a 4-4-2 – albeit a 4-4-2 diamond. The early stages were very scrappy with both teams giving the ball away. However YM looked by far the more comfortable and emerged from a dour opening quarter with real zeal and class. The young men began to stroke the ball around with confidence and, at times, played some nice football with Leon Mannion and Sam Jennings linking up well. Drew Tipper, who had been moved back into midfield, was at the heart of most of YM’s best work and it was Tipper who nearly opened the scoring. The ball was received by Tipper 25 yards out on the top right hand corner of Taplow’s box. Tipper caught the ball on the half volley and it left his foot with wonderfully controlled power.  The ball dipped and swerved late and appeared destined for the top left corner but the Taplow keeper reacted marvellously to acrobatically tip the ball over the bar at full stretch. It was an extraordinary save and a great passage of play.YM continued to knock the ball around with ease and Taplow were pumping it long and offered very little in attack. YM’s engine room of Naz Edmunds and Adam Cayzer were harrying Taplow into mistakes and Mark Lemm made some crucial interceptions in goal. Despite YM’S superior quality they were forced to wait until the 30 minute mark until Sam Jennings had a shot well blocked but he was able to drill home the rebound from 12 yards.

YM continued to press and were calving out good chances frequently. YM won a corner on the right after good work from Mannion. Mannion took a short corner to Chris Lemm who’s resulting cross found Allen in space in the 6 yard box and he showed great composure to turn inside a defender before slotting into an undefended net.

By this stage it looked as if YM would go onto win by 4 or 5 but they were unable to extend their lead by half time with Mannion blasting over when one on one being their best chance.The second half was typical of YM this season as YM let their grasp on the game slip. Taplow were now controlling the midfield as YM lost their shape However YM’S looked reasonably comfortable at the back with Darren Russell providing a calming presence when YM needed it.The young men were still creating the better chances and Sam Jennings found himself unmarked on the corner of the 6 yard box after good work by Edmunds however Jennings could only fire into the side netting. A third goal may well have killed Taplow off but it was Taplow who grabbed the next goal. A corner was met by a Taplow head but was well saved by Lemm but he could only parry it
straight onto the head of a Taplow player and his instinctive reaction was to head it and send it into the back of the neck.

With about 15 minutes remaining this set up a grandstand finish but it was actually YM who had the better chances as the game became more stretched. Tipper again found himself on the edge of box and delivered a beautifully crafted side footed shot which collided with the Taplow cross bar and denied Tipper another fine goal.Naz Edmunds also found himself unmarked on the left 35 yards out but as he bore
down on goal he was only able to drive into the side netting.The game was once again scrappy in the closing stages but YM kept things tight to hold out for a much needed victory. A long awaited return to Scours Lane against Cookham Dean beckons.

LEMMY'S MOM: DREW TIPPER

YM Rapids good form continued with a fantastic performance over a strong Wrightchoice CSA side. A full squad and good results go hand in hand so it was no surprise that with the full quota, YM took all 3 points with a solid display. Boss Sidwell went in to the game with Jamie Clough coming in for Mark Ilsley, and resting himself gave Mike Holloway a first start for the Rapids.

The wind and slope meant the game was always going to be split right down the middle and it was no surprise to see the away side come out the traps with veteran Chris Ward leading his young team well. The back 4 of Leach, Clough, Rolfe and Evans did well to subdue the Wrightchoice attack, though YM had a couple of scares with poor finishing letting the away side down. Against the run of play Daly drove forward and won YM a corner, with Gibson crashing his header off the bar as YM so nearly took the lead.

The secord period was always going to be about YM breaking down Wrightchoice and it seemed as though the game was destined to finish 0-0 for the 3 time in 2 seasons. James Phillips pulled off a world clas save just after the break, tipping over a rasper that looked destined for the top corner. YM then went close via Nangla and his constant running and harassing of the Wrightchoice defence eventually led to the breakthrough. Gibson slotted the rapid rapid through on goal and just as he was cleaned out for a blatent penalty the Wrightchoice lino raised his flag as the ball rolled in to the net. It seemed a gut decision rather than a footballing one, but the ref had a chat and bizarrely gave a penalty when the goal would have been sufficent. Not sending the player off also meant confusion reigned as he was the last man and denied an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Luckily for YM Dave Rolfe kept his cool to slot the penalty home and justice was done. YM were now rampant as Leach flew down the right hand side bursting in to the box and supplying the cross that a Wrightchoice defender could only slice past Stewie Corp to make it 2-0. The final goal came with 10 minutes left as YM broke again and it was left to Gibson to seal the win, rounding the keeper to make it 3-0.

Sidwell said 'It was always going to be a tough game today and we weathered the storm in the first half particularly well. The second half was a fantastic performance and we are hitting top gear at the right time, with players to come back. The squad we now have is proving strong and we are all geared up for the run in'

YM RAPIDS: PHILLIPS, LEACH, CLOUGH, ROLFE, EVANS, DALY, GIBSON, CORNELL, WOODROW, HOLLOWAY, NANGLA. SUBS: A ILSLEY (Replaced Holloway 55), BROWN, SUTTON (not used)

SIDDERS MOM: MANDEEP NANGLA