YMCA returned to winning ways after a three-week lay-off on a swelteringly hot day at Scours Lane.

The open half was a war of attrition with both teams keen to preserve energy and displayed a reluntancy to be expansive.There was very little in the way of opportunities in a gruelling half with YM seemingly happy to get to half time without dying. As a result there was very little in the way of meaningful openings for either side.In total contrast the second half was a rollercoaster ride as the sun disappeared and both sides played their part in a thrilling encounter for the neutral.

YM’s first real chance came after a superb through ball from Drew Tipper picked out Martin Abery who collected the ball perfectly in full stride. He burst towards goal but a slightly over hit touch allowed the keeper to bury the ball into his chest before Abery could get a shot off. However Abery made amends moments later when he collected another pass from the impressive Tipper out on the left wing. He was able to use his pace to accelerate away from a defender before slotting past the onrushing keeper.YM felt that would be the signal for a second half romp and visibly took their foot off the gas. Wokingham took full advantage when a Wokingham player broke down the left wing and crossed slightly behind striker Lee Kitching who was able to turn the cross goalwards with his heal and the ball beat the outstretched finger tips of YM keeper Chris Rackley and trickled into the net.YM immediately tried to impose their game on Wokingham and YM’s pressure created chances at regular intervals. Firstly Sam Jennings found himself with a glorious chance after a mishit clearance by Wokingham’s keeper left him with an empty net. However Jennings had his back to goal and by the time he had manufactured a shot the chance had gone.

Next YM midfielder Chris Lemm was fed on the right wind by Steve Daly, Lemm broke into the Wokingham box but with only the keeper to beat Lemm shot wide from 8 yards.YM also won a series of corners. Lemm was again on hand to head a fine delivery goalwards only to see his effort cleared off the line for another corner. Lemm again met the resultant corner but under no pressure at the far post he was able to send a straightforward header into the back of the net. Lemm and perhaps YMCA thought that was the end of the matter and the three points were their’s however Wokingham had other ideas. The introduction of David Hobbs for Wokingham provided them with a new aerial dimension. And it was Hobbs who was able to head a Wokingham corner back across the YM goal mouth despite being under severe pressure leaving Craig Osborne the simple task of smashing the ball home from 3 yards.YM were dejected after a hard days work and with only 3 minutes remaining however Dave Givens broke on the counter attack and squared the ball towards the penalty spot. The ball was slightly behind Edmunds but a Wokingham player controlled the ball for him giving Edmunds the opportunity to shoot which he did and lashed it home to send YM into ecstasy in a game which felt like a cup tie not a meaningless end of season game that it ultimately was.

LEMMYS MOM - NAZ EDMUNDS