Reading YMCA returned to winning ways with a classic "smash and grab" raid on title challengers Westwood United at Scours Lane.

YM's Dave Givens was handed a  long overdue start whilst the Young Men were also able to welcome back Johnny Adey and Ben Green from travelling as well as Sam Jennings from a skiing trip but were without Drew Tipper, Jamie Froude, Rob Lee and Leon Mannion amongst others.

A blisteringly hot March day greeted the teams at Scours and from the 1st whistle Westwood’s play was equally blistering as YM failed to get near them in the opening period. Almost the entire half was spent in the YM half with YM chasing shadows and Westwood could have scored on several occasions only for a last ditch block or poor finishing saving the home side.

YM were living on borrowed time but Westwood eventually took a deserved lead when Jason Awberry found himself it plenty of space at the edge of the YM box allowing him to curl an unstoppable shot into the top corner. But possible the turning point in the game was the fact that YM equalized almost immediately in virtually their only attack of the half. Sam Jennings won a header under heavy pressure from 2 defenders and the ball fell kindly for the striker as he sprinted clear of the Westwood defence to drive in on goal and unleash a powerful drive into the centre of Peter Barnes's net.

The 2nd half was alot closer albeit with Westwood maintaining their control of possession and playing mostly in YM’S half.  But YM were looking much more compact, were keeping possession better and were now posing a threat on the counter attack. YM's Mark Lemm in particular was a rock at the heart of YM’S defence whilst the pace of the returning Adey was providing a great outlet down the right.

With both sides flagging in the heat the game resembled a basketball match with both sides taking in turns to attack and create chances. YM in particularly were dropping like flies with everal players suffering cramp and strained muscles in what had been a colossal effort with YM chasing the ball for much of the game. However the introduction of David Simmonds changed the game providing YM with much needed energy and it was Simmonds who was the catalyst for YM's winner when, with less than 5 minutes on the clock he broke down the left and, after outpacing Westwood’s backline,squared the ball for YM skipper Jason Wagner. Wagner calmly turned inside a defender before unleashing a fine strike which battered the back of the net. YM were jubilant and the late goal gave Westwood no time to respond and in fact YM nearly extended their lead when the impressive Simmonds again broke free only to hesitate when clean through.  

It was an unlikely and undeserved win for the Young Men but a reward for the endurance and endeavour they showed on the day.

LEMMYS MOM - SCOTT ALLEN

YM's second string made a total hash of the game against title chasing SRCC, gifting away goals for fun and cruising in to a 5-0 half time deficit at the weekend. The Rapids had a strong side on paper but were blown away by a pacy and direct SRCC side who took the lead on 10 minutes after a huge punt by the SRCC keeper was finished off well as YM failed to clear. The away side doubled their lead in the same fashion as another long punt eluded the YM defence and was finished clinically once again. Meanwhile the Rapids were giving the ball away, failing to control and gifting SRCC the chance to surge forward at every opportunity as it appeared YM had forgotton why they were out there. the 3rd, 4th and 5th goals all followed with YM mustering a couple of half chances at the other end to go in 5-0 down.

A half time 'pep talk' from Sidwell led to a totally different story in the second half with YM getting in faces, tackling and passing the ball much better, though with a 5 goal lead SRCC understandably also looked lax. The Rapids were chucked the slimest of lifelines by the referee as Woodrow burst through and won a penalty. Sidwell stepped up to take but was denied by the SRCC keeper, only for the ref to order a re-take. Sidwell dispatched it 2nd time around to reduce the deficit. From here on in the game just followed its natural course to a close with neither side creating much. The hard working Dan Sutton created a couple of half chances but YM's lack of firepower has been evident all season and the game finished at 5-1 to the away side.

Sidwell said 'a total shambles of a first half was followed up with a much better second half but once 5-0 down against a quality side like SRCC, there is no way back'

YM RAPIDS: PHILLIPS, LEACH, M ILSLEY, ROLFE, BROWN, GIBSON, SIDWELL, CORNELL, WOODROW, SUTTON, VAUGHAN. Subs:Holloway (Replaced Vaughan 60)

SIDDERS MOM - STEVE WOODROW