A late Toby Nowell strike denied Reading YMCA a vital 3 points and now leaves leaders Westwood with an 8-point lead and strong favourites to win the title.

YM went into the game missing Tristam Dennis and talisman Drew Tipper but were able to welcome new signing Mark Stargatt into the squad for the first time.  Woodcote were missing midfield lynchpins Chris Clark and James Worsfold as well as centre-back Kool Koryapoe.

Both sides started nervously and the opening 15 minutes was especially scrappy but Woodcote were first to find their feet.  Nowell went close to opening the scoring before a Paul Knox free-kick hit the bar with the rebound hitting Jake Dillon and sailing over the bar. Jonny Summers then picked the ball up from distance and hit a low skidding shot which hit the post.

Woodcote were well on top at this stage but crucially could not find the goal their superiority deserved and YM began to inch back into the game with Martin Abery going close from a Jason Wagner through ball.

YM started brightly in the 2nd half and after a spell of pressure Johnny Adey flicked the ball on to Abery who swivelled and volleyed the ball into the net.

YM were now on top and had a golden chance to extend the lead when Wagner out sprinted a Woodcote defender to go clean through on goal but couldn't set himself for the shot and keeper Nick Bovingdon was able to make a comfortable save.

Woodcote began to edge possession and territory again but lacked the cutting edge of the 1st half with YM's back 5 beginning to look relatively comfortable.  Full back James Atkinson in particular was doing a greatr job in keeping the dangerous Nowell quiet.  Woodcote still had chances though and YM keeper Chris Rackley had to make one great save when he somehow clawed back the ball when it seemed destined for the net and then sub Ross Weatherstone went close with a header.

YM were hitting Woodcote on the break and again spurned an excellent opportunity to win the game when Sam Jennings raced clean through on goal but could only pull his shot wide of the post. But YM looked to be heading for a 1-0 win until a Dillon cross was cleared to the feet of Nowell who drilled in a shot from the edge of the box which somehow eluded a host of bodies to fly past Rackley in goal.

Overall a fair result but YM will be kicking themselves that they couldn't hold on for the 3 points.

LEMMY'S MAN OF THE MATCH - JAMES ATKINSON