26th April |
Reading YMCA 1 Highmoor Ibis 0 |
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26th April |
P and IC Sports 3 Reading YMCA Rapids 0 |
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YM Rapids Berks and Bucks cup dream came to an end at the final hurdle following a disasterous turn of events and coming up against a very strong side from Buckinghamshire who were looking to be the first team to defend the cup in 106 years. The big day out got off to a flyer with the minibus breaking down and making sure the long trip up the M1 was going to be an eventful one. With General Manager, Lindsey Edwards at the driving seat and the town of Newport Pagnell in sight, the YM stalwart decided that an extra 30 miles was in order as the YM bandwagon rejoined the M1 and the team arrived at 2.15pm! As with every cup final, the game got off to a frenetic pace with the tackles flying in, but it was the Bucks side that made the more composed start. It became apparent from the off that their programme wasn't lying with a host of players all having played youth football for league clubs. Tim Sidwell and Darren Cornell were struggling to cope with the running of the 3 central midfielders with Dave Morrison and Luke Kasonde struggling to retain any possession up top. Steve Woodrow and Steve Daly weren't finding much joy down the flanks and it appeared as though it may be a long afternoon. P and IC soon took the lead when a long throw saw the entire YM team stand and watch as their nippy forward brought the ball down and slammed home from an acute angle. The turning point of the half came on 25 minutes when keeper Scott Mortimer made a fine stop down to his left but was kicked in the ensuing melee and dislocated a finger. This meant an unexpected introduction for stand in keeper Paul Towner. The YM veteran had not been seen between the sticks for just over a year and had come along as mascot but was soon thrust in to the heart of the action in the clubs biggest cup final since the Madejski triumph a few years ago. This delay and slight reshuffle actually worked wonders for YM with Sidwell beginning to find space and feeding Woodrow down the left, who's return pass was inches away from finding the midfielder bursting through the P and IC back 4. At the other end Dave Rolfe and Mark Ilsley were looking more solid and making the tackles the first 20 minutes lacked. YM pushed on with a few minutes of the half remaining but couldn't find anything clinical as they went in 1-0 down. The start of the second period was again a tense affair with the next goal being crucial. Towner was enjoying a solid game between the sticks and kicking well but the Bucks side, supported by 200 fans were firmly on the front foot and the game was effectively over on 60 minutes. The impressive central midfield trio's play left Chris Leach exposed and the resulting cross was slammed in to his own net by the hapless Ilsley. YM had to find something in order to get back in the game with Sidwell feeding Evans but the excellent P and IC keeper was out like a shot to deny the ginger winger. The final nail was delivered on 75 minutes when a P and IC centre half rounded Towner and slotted home to complete a convincing win for an impressive side playing way below their level. Alan Ilsley had a chance to make the score respectable on 80 minutes when put clean through with Sidwell in support. Last weeks MOM unfortunately chose to chip the keeper 'Messi Style' and only succeeded in allowing the keeper an easy save when a square pass was a certain goal. As it turned out this would have only been a consolation and it was hard lines on a YM side who played 7 rounds all over the county, play 2 divisions below the highest standard in the cup and came up against a great side and worthy winners. Boss O Boyle said 'We did fantastically well anc were playing a new side who are far too good for this standard. We didn't get the breaks with Scott dislocating his finger and the 2 1/2 hour trip but im very proud of the lads and hopefully we can go on and get the league as deserved'
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