An excellent team performance from Reading YMCA saw them edge title favourites Sandhurst Devels 1-0 in a hard fought match.

The Young Men started well and looked sharper than their opponents who have suffered a slight downturn in form in recent weeks.  The YM defence looked commanding with Jamie Froude in particular showing a real appetite for the fight whilst the midfield of Chris Lemm, Craig McGiven and Drew Tipper were showing greater energy and creativity than there opponents.  And YM had a real cutting edge with Leon Mannion, Sam Jennings and Oz-bound Johnny Adey giving their team pace and power.

In truth Sandhurst seemed to lose confidence and belief at a relatively early stage such was the strength of the YM showing.  However, as the half progressed, YM's ball retention dropped a level and Sandhurst began to match YM in the final 15 minutes of the half.  Sandhurst's main threat appeared to come from set pieces and keeper Chris Rackley was forced into a couple of eye catching saves.

But it was YM who made the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when a Chris Lemm shot was deflected into the path of Jennings who rounded the keeper before slotting into the empty net.

The 2nd half continued in a similar vein with little between the 2 sides but, despite Sandhurst edging territory and possession, YM just seemed to have the edge in every department on the day.  And in McGivern, YM had the outstanding player on the park as his energy and tenacity never gave his opponents a minute's peace.

Sandhurst never managed to create a real chance in the 2nd half and YM looked the more likely scorers but a lack of composure in the last third at times saw good opportunties go wanting.

YM have now won 7 of their last 8 league and cup games and are certainly proving to be alot tougher proposition than earlier in the season.  The 2nd half of the season will prove to be equally as tough with several players in Oz or long term injured but with interest remaining in 4 competitions YM have plenty to play for in the New Year.

READING YMCA: RACKLEY, M LEMM, ALLEN, C LEMM, FROUDE, LEE, MANNION, MCGIVERN, D TIPPER, ADEY, JENNINGS. SUB GIVENS (Replaced Mannion 75)

LEMMY'S MOM: CRAIG MCGIVERN

YM second string are fast becoming draw specialists after a 3-3 stalemate at Goring. Manager Tim Sidwell's preperations were thrown in to chaos at 1.30, losing his keeper to work and players turning up late, but a quick reshhuffle saw centre half Dave Rolfe take over inbetween the sticks with Steve Woodrow moving to left back.

The Goring pitch is always a great surface but the slope seems to play a big part, so with the sides switching round it was YM who flew out the traps and took the game to the home side. Steve Daly has been in outstanding form of late and he took barely 5 minutes to signal his intentions waltzing in to the box and flashing a shot just wide. Dave Simmonds and Steve Woodrow were linking well down the left and it was the former who set the game alight when he wondered past 3 players squared for Alan Ilsley who then layed off for Sidwell to lash a shot towards goal but the keeper was in fine form and made a smart stop. YM were pressing and it was Sidwell who gave his team the lead on 20 minutes when a Woodrow corner found its way to the back post for Sidwell to control and crack home from a tight angle. Goring were certainly not overawed though it came against the run of play when a Goring forward ghosted past the YM back 4 and slotted home to draw the sides level. YM were soon back on top though when Chris Leach crashed home an unstoppable drive just before half time to net his 3 goal in 3 games. Ilsley, Daly, Simmonds and Sidwell all went close to extending YM's lead but missed chances have been the

The second period saw Goring come at YM using the slope to full effect and they were soon level when the tricky winger slammed the ball past Rolfe on 55 minutes. It then became an onslaught with YM failing to keep the ball and gifting possession away at regular intervals. Darren Cornell and Scott Gibson were working tirelessly in the middle though could do nothing about a strange set of referring decisions that went against YM culminating in Gorings 3rd goal. Rolfe spilled a shot but appeared to gain control of the ball with both hands only for a Goring forward to relieve the YM stalwart of the ball and tap in to an empty net. The goal stood as the YM players directed some interesting questions towards the man in black. Only on 70 minutes did the Rapids finally get their 2nd half game going with Sidwell, Holloway, Ilsley, Gibson and Daly all driving the team forward. It was Gibson who produced the moment of magic with some excellent hold up play allowing Daly to ghost past 2 Goring defenders and square for Ilsley to finish with aplomb, and grab a deserved point.

Sidwell said 'it was an entertaining game with both teams trying to play football on a nice surface. in the end a draw was probably fair as both teams seemed to enjoy using the slope to attack. Special mention to Daly who is on fire at the moment and taking players on for fun, lets hope Mark Lemm doesnt read this!'

YM RAPIDS: ROLFE, LEACH, M ILSLEY, BROWN, WOODROW, DALY, SIDWELL, CORNELL, SIMMONDS, GIBSON, A ILSLEY. SUBS: M HOLLOWAY (Replaced Simmonds 55)

SIDDERS MOM: CHRIS LEACH