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Reading YMCA travelled the short distance to meet unbeaten local rivals Westwood Utd and came away with a share of the points after a closely fought battle.
Westwood have been rejuvenated this season under the stewardship of new manager Albie Stevenson but YM have a good record at Cotswold Rec in recent seasons and were able to field a strong side despite the absence of talisman Drew Tipper.
Westwood started strongly and enjoyed the better share of possession and territory in the opening 20 minutes but were largely restricted to long range efforts. YM's defence led by the impressive Tristam Dennis began to get a grip on the lively forward pairing of Scott Warwick and Ashley Baynham and, as a result, the visitors began to exert some control on the match.
Neither side were creating much but by far the best chance of the half fell to Sam Jennings on the half hour when he raced on to a through ball, beat his men but, left one-on-one with keeper Peter Barnes, he can only blaze wide.
With honours even at the end of half, Westwood again started the second period well and took the game to their opponents but they could not breach the YM rearguard and following the pattern of the 1st half, YM began to edge the play.
Jennings had another gilt edged chance when he was presented with a free header 5 yards out from a Ben Green free-kick whilst Martin Abery twice hesitated when clean through allowing the opportunity to disappear. At the other end, Westwood had their best chance of the half when Warwick broke free down the right hand channel to home in on goal only to slam his shot into the side netting from a tight angle.
The game finished at stalemate with general play evening split between the 2 sides but possibly YM feeling the more disappointed having enjoyed the better of the chances.
LEMMY'S MOM: TRISTAM DENNIS
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