YM Rapids became the 2nd of 2 Reading YMCA FC sides to pick up the title in the space of 10 days. Paul O Boyle's men knew a point would be enough to secure the division 2 title but ran out comfortable winners with 4 goals at crucial periods of the match. With the senior division title already in bag, O Boyle had the luxury of naming 5 subs and picking the 11 that have started the lions share of games this season.

YM got off to a flyer when Sidwell fed Kasonde straight from the kick off and the Rapids top scorer ghosted past 2 Woodley players and fed Steve Daly whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. Steve Woodrow whipped a vicious ball in that nearly opened the scoring and YM had set their stall out. Woodley are never a side to be turned over lightly and came at the young men straight away with both forwards movement allowing Woodley some half chances, but not to find a way past the formidible back 4 of Chris Leach, Mark Ilsley, Dave Rolf and Sean Kenny. Sidwell was dominent in the air and looking to play MOM Woodrow and Daly in at every opportunity. Darren Cornell was his usual industrial self in the holding midfield role, breaking up play at setting YM off time after time. The breakthrough came on 20 minutes. Woodley were pressing hard but Sidwell set Daly away down the left as YM flew up the pitch and the trickster fed Woodrow who lashed the ball home to put the Rapids on their way. With YM defending, Woodley always looked succeptable to the counter attack and top scorer Kasonde made it 2 with a cool finish after more top work by Woodrow down the YM left. The Rapids were 45 minutes from the league.

The second period started in much the same vein as the first. Woodley playing a high line with YM struggling to cope with the off side law and the Rapids back 4 as solid as ever and looking to hit the visitors on the counter. Woodley flashed a couple of long range efforts just over whilst Kasonde, Woodrow and Evans all spurned good chances. The 3rd and killer goal came on 70 minutes when Sidwell played a neat one-two with Daly and the midfield powerhouse slammed the ball home from 18 yards to kill the game off and seal the win. From here on in it was all YM and the young men capped off a fine season with an outstanding goal. Cornell put Alan Ilsley away down the right and his first time pin point crossed was lashed home by Atkinson to round off the day and seal the title. A slightly bizarre chain of events at the final whistle saw a Woodley player hit both posts after rolling the ball the length of the line and then was denied by Fround with and outstanding stop, and his own player who blocked the goalbound effort when a goal seemed certain. A clean sheet, 4 goals and the title sparked wild celebrations that went on till the early hours.

Boss O Boyle gleamed 'The lads have been fantastic all season and we throughly deserve this title. In the last 2 weeks we have seen 2 cups slip away but this is the one we wanted. Its been a fantastic couple of weeks for the club and we look forward to challenging at a higher level next term'

READING YMCA RAPIDS: FROUD, LEACH, ROLFE, M ILSLEY, KENNY, WOODROW, CORNELL, SIDWELL, DALY, D MORRISON, KASONDE. SUBS ATKINSON (Replaced Daly 65), EVANS (Replaced Kenny 60), A ILSLEY (Replaced D Morrison 80) M Lemm, R Tipper (Not Used)

BOILER'S MOM - STEVE WOODROW