Reading YMCA earned their 4th consecutive victory after a 2nd half wonder show that left Theale shellshocked.

The 1st half was an even affair with both sides restricted to a couple of good chances.  The 2nd half started in the same vein before Nader Edmunds crossed for Sam Jennings to slide home on his comeback from injury.

YM's Luke Kasonde then displayed a masterclass of finishing with a 15 minute hat-trick.  His first came when he stabbed past the Theale keeper when clean through and then followed this up with a deft lob to make it 3-0.  His hat-trick then came after combining well with Chris Lemm and slamming home from a tight angle

READING YMCA: FROUDE, BICKNELL, M LEMM, MCGIVERN, C LEMM, EDMUNDS, LEE, WAGNER, JENNINGS, CORNELL, KASONDE. SUB: EDWARDS-HOLMES (Replaced Wagner 65)

LEMMY'S MOM: LUKE KASONDE

YM Rapids crashed out the Berks and Bucks cup at the first hurdle to a late goal from Botley Utd. YM made the final of this competition last year only to be pipped by P and IC Utd (Who have since beaten Senior Cookham Dean 6-0) and looked to make an impression this season.

The game opened up as a scrappy affair with neither side creating an impression and it was the away side that took the lead on 25 mins when a corner found its way through the pack and cannoned in off the hapless Dave Rolfe. YM created little for the rest of the half with the game being largly fought out in midfield. Dave Simmonds was enjoying a fine game and went close with 2 chances but the teams went in at 1-0.

YM flew out the traps in the 2nd period and got back in to the game when Simmonds was played through by Tipper and the flying forward made no mistake, slotting calmly past the Botley keeper. YM were now on top, but with the game opening up it was Botley who restored their lead on 65 minutes with a clinical counter attack. Sidwell introduced Nangla and Alan Ilsley to go for the jugular and it paid dividends in seconds when the former YM skipper picked up a loose ball, won a 50/50 and unleashed an unstoppable volley past the Botley stopper to make it 2-2. Both teams went in for the kill and yet again it was Botley who proved they had the staying power nabbing what proved to be the winner on 85 minutes after half the YM side were caught upfield. YM had a golden chance to take the tie to extra time on 93 minutes when A Ilsley had the goal at his mercy but could only tap in to the hands of the keeper.

Sidwell said 'we put together some good moves today and I was pleased with the way we kept coming back in to it, but we showed some naivity at times and paid the price'

YM RAPIDS: PHILLIPS, LEACH, M ILSLEY, ROLFE, EVANS, WOODROW, SIDWELL, HOLLOWAY, DALY, R TIPPER, SIMMONS. SUBS: NANGLA (Replaced Holloway 55), A ILSLEY (Replaced Leach 75)

SIDDERS MOM: DAVE SIMMONDS