Andrew 'Beefy' Heath was the star man as the rapids earned a much needed and deserved win over promotion rivals Turnpike. YM went in to the game knowing a victory was a must if they are to secure promotion this term.
It was Turnpike that started the game the strongest and took the lead in the first minute when a defensive mix up allowed a Turnpike striker to spring the off side trap and calmly slot the ball over on rushing Scott Mortimer. YM looked as if they were playing at half pace and it was no surprise when Turnpike scored a 2nd - again another defensive error from the returning Adam Toombs and YM manager Mark Lemm let in a Turnpike forward who made no mistake. This spurred YM in to life and only after 25 minutes did they appear to decide to turn up. Toombs and Lemm sprang back to their reliable best aided by Sean Kenny and Marcus Sanigar at full backs. YM's midfield of Dean Williams, Tim Sidwell, Andy Bullet and Steve Wood started to get a grip on the game and created a host of chances for forwards Andrew Heath and Dan Sutton. Williams was guilty of some poor finishing and it looked like it might be one of the days for YM. Sidwell had other ideas and plucked the ball out of the air whilst holding off a Turnpike forward and set Heath away down the right. His pace took him flying past a defender and in to the box where he squared the ball back for Bullet who made no mistake with the side foot finish. YM could sense they were on the up and went it to the break 2-1 with renewed hope.
The second half started where the first left off with YM sensing 3 points were there for the taking. The introduction of Matt Olney at right back and Scott Smith proved to be an inspiration as both players went on to have a storming half, Olney unloading various Turnpike players in each challenge he put in, and Smith holding the ball up well and bringing the rapids in to play. The equaliser came from the spot after Heath's pace once again took him away from a Turnpike defender, who could do nothing but send the YM man sprawling. Heath dusted himself off to take the penalty and cooly slotted the ball home. From there on the rapids had to snuff out a couple of half chances but knew victory was there for the taking. The 3rd goal came from Heath who again outstripped the Turnpike offside trap and rolled the ball under the keeper to put YM ahead. Manager Paul O Boyle then made his final change which saw the long awaited return of Lee Worth from injury - a definate high point for both YM managers. Turnpike then came back at YM to try and get the equaliser but YM's rear guard stood firm with Toombs and Lemm in commanding form, banishing the first 25 minutes of the game from history. It was left to Sidwell to make the game safe when he sensed the opportunity to rob the centre half of the ball, shrugged him aside and smashed the ball past the hapless Turnpike keeper to seal the win and send the Rapids to the heady hights of 2nd.
Rapids manager Paul O Boyle said: 'for 25 minutes we were awful and looked like we were still in the changing rooms talking about the previous night rather than playing football! Then once we decided to play I think the lads rose to the challenge well and we got the deserved victory that was much needed in the race for promotion'
READING YMCA RAPIDS: MORTIMER, SANIGAR (replaced by OLNEY 40mins), M LEMM, TOMBS, KENNY, WILLIAMS (replaced by WORTH 80mins), SIDWELL, BULLETT, WOOD, HEATH, SUTTON (replaced by SMITH 45 mins) SUBS OLNEY, SMITH, WORTH.
BOILER'S MAN OF THE MATCH - ANDREW HEATH
Stand in YM skipper landed his 1st mom award of the season with an inspirational display in the 0-0 draw with Cookham. Rolfe has led the team well in Sidwell's absense and reminded everyone why he is called 'Mr Consistency'
YM club captain Tim Sidwell netted his first mom of the season with a 2 goal showing against Hop Leaf. A frustrating compaign for Sidwell has meant 6 weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury but the attacking midfielder is starting to regain some of the form that took him to the rep team and of course the coveted YM armband.
