Reading YMCA’s early season slump continued after going down 3-1 to a new-look Cookham Dean side.

YM have taken just 2 points from their opening 3 games including throwing away a 2-goal lead to leaders Royal Mail on Wednesday in a 3-2 defeat.

The omens looked good for YM in the early stages as they started fast with the midfield trio of Tim Sidwell, Drew Tipper and Darren Cornell working well and Nick Seymour and Martin Abery looking lively in attack.  And it was Abery who gave his side an early lead when he outsprinted the Cookham defence before drilling a low shot passed keeper Mark Ramsey.

Cookham gradually began to settle with their midfield getting more possession and Nathan Lishman providing a great outlet on the left.  But YM’s defence was looking robust with Adam Cassidy returning to the side and ex-Cookham star Scott Allen as tigerish as ever.

YM were looking dangerous on the break though with Seymour causing problems down the left, Sam Jennings holding the ball up well and Abery’s pace a constant threat.  Seymour almost extended YM’s lead when he took a ball on the chest before hitting a 25-yard volley narrowly over the bar.

Jennings and Tipper also had half chances to score but as the half wore on Cookham were slowly turning the screw and controlling proceedings.

They took a deserved lead on the half hour mark when Lewis Shepherd’s shot from outside the box was deflected passed keeper Scott Mortimer.

With little between the sides in the 1st half, Cookham stepped up a gear in the 2nd half and were better in possession meaning they were able to build pressure on the YM goal.  YM were looking solid in defence though but suffered a blow when Danny Fitzpatrick was forced to withdraw with a tight hamstring.

YM’s attacks were becoming increasingly sporadic as they were forced to defend deeper and with 20 minutes left YM finally succumbed when a Cookham forward arrived late in the box to power home a header from an excellent cross.

Cookham were rampant in the final 20 minutes and hit the bar with a superb long range effort before another long range effort made it 3-1.

YM had a couple of half chances in the final minutes but really it was too little too late.

Frustrated YM boss Mark Lemm said “We haven’t started the season well at all and 2 points from 4 games is probably a fair reflection on how we have performed.

On paper we have a stronger squad than last season but we just haven’t clicked yet.  On the positive side, the players are determined to put things right and we’ve got a long way to go in the season but we need 3 points soon and hopefully we can push on from there.”

READING YMCA: MORTIMER, FITZPATRICK (replaced by M LEMM 60mins), ALLEN, CASSIDY, ADEY, CORNELL (replaced by KEARSEY 65mins), SIDWELL (replaced by EDMUNDS 70mins), D TIPPER, SEYMOUR, ABERY, JENNINGS SUBS M LEMM, KEARSEY, EDMUNDS.

LEMMY’S MOM – JOHNNY ADEY

Reading YMCA Rapids made it 15 goals in 2 games to maintain their 100% start to the season.

Dave Morrison followed up the previous week’s hat-trick by bagging a brace whilst Dan Sutton, Dean Williams, Steve Woodrow, Steve Wood and Lewis Evans also notched.

Rapids manager Paul O’Boyle said “We started off slow last season and gave ourselves a lot to do so I’m pleased we have come out firing this year.

We have managed to field some really strong squads in the first 2 games and there will be tougher tests to come but it’s looking good at the moment.”

READING YMCA RAPIDS: HARVEY, DALY, TOWNER, GREEN, ILSLEY, WILLIAMS, R TIPPER (replaced by SANIGAR 45mins), WOODROW, WOOD (replaced by EVANS 55mins), SUTTON (replaced by KISLUK 45mins), MORRISON SUBS SANIGAR, KISLUK, EVANS.

BOILER’S MOM – BEN GREEN