Reading YMCA ended a poor run of form by beating Rabson Rovers 2-0 in a closely contested match.

YM had taken just 2 points from their opening 4 fixtures and were missing several players going into this clash but showed some of the battling qualities that has served them well in previous years.
With Scott Allen, Nader Edmunds, Tim Sidwell and Sam Jennings all missing from the previous week, YM manager Mark Lemm handed Tim Zielinski, Ben Green and Dave Morrison their first appearances of the season.
On a hot day the match started at a slow pace but YM were the first side to show their hand when Nick Semour drilled over the bar from outside the box.  Rabson's influential skipper, Scott Warwick then hit a superb volley which was cleared off the line by Danny Fitzpatrick.

There was little between the 2 sides with Martin Abery and Semour a threat for YM whilst Craig Christian and Warwick looked most likely to create something from Rabsons.  YM skipper Drew Tipper should have done better with a shot when well placed and Abery just failed to get on the end of a through ball.  YM did take the lead midway through the half when Zielinski won a big tackle in midfield before releasing Abery.  The pacy striker ran with the ball and committed a defender before playing in the onrushing Seymour who gathered the ball, rounded the keeper and slotted into the net.
Rabson's were well in the game though and were unlucky not to equalise on a couple of occasions but YM keeper Scott Mortimer pushed 1 shot round the post and then another onto the post where it rebounded back into his arms.  But Mortimer was being protected by an efficient YM defence with Green, in particular, in outstanding form.
Rabson's started the 2nd half strongly and were the better side for the first 20 minutes with Warwick and Pedro De Baros conducting operations.  The closest they came to scoring was when Daniel Lucking headed a free-kick across goal, where is was deflected towards goal only for it drift along the goaline and past the far post.  At the other end superb quick feet from Abery saw him bare down on goal where depsite being ankle-tapped inside the box he stayed on his feet to plant his shot wide with the referee poised to give a penalty.

YM improved as the half went on and showed signs that their confidence is returning boosted by a 2nd goal with 15 minutes left on the clock.  Andy Bullett played a ball through to Morrison who in turn played in Abery and with only the keeper to beat he hit a low shot into the net for his 4th goal in 5 games.

Lemm said "This was more like a typical YM performance - strong defensively, disciplined and wearing down our opponents. There wasn't much in the game and I was impressed with Rabsons - they have some good young players and with the likes of Warwick, De Barros and Christian they have matchwinners as well.

I'm not going to say we have turned the corner because we still have alot of improvement to make and we'll have to string a few results like this together.  But it's great to get a win under our belts and we can now going into our cup games with confidence."