Reading YMCA booked a 2nd round trip to Berks County Sports after an excellent 5-1 victory over Senior Division strugglers Mortimer.

Despite once again missing several players the visitors took an early lead when a precise pass from Naz Edmunds played in Luke Kasonde who cooly slotted past advancing keeper John Bates.  The lead was doubled shortly afterwards whan a mishit Jason Wagner free-kick was side footed into the net by top scorer Johnny Adey.

Mortimer barely created a chance in the 1st half but pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time when a corner was bundled into the net by Mortimer's Dan Dudman.

The goal gave Mortimer hope and for the first 20 mins of the 2nd half they were on top creating 2 or 3 half chances - one of which pulled out a great save from keeper Jamie Froude.  But YM weathered the storm and restored their 2-goal advantage when Mark Mabbett showed great composure when clean through.

Mabbett grabbed a 2nd in similar fashion shortly afterwards before Adey rounded off the scoring with his 2nd of the afternoon.  

It was a good all round performance from YM and the Young Men are growing in confidence after a difficult start to the season.

READING YMCA: FROUD, C LEMM, GREEN, LEE, ALLEN, M LEMM, EDMUNDS, MABBETT, WAGNER, ADEY, KASONDE. SUBS: DALY (Replaced Kasonde 72), BICKNELL (Replaced M Lemm 75), SIMMONDS (Replaced Mabbett 75)

LEMMY'S MOM: CHRIS LEMM

YM Rapids put up what could only be described and an awful 2nd half performance to crash out of the BTC cup at the first hurdle. With yet more Saturday morning pull outs, Tim Sidwell's squad was down to the bare 11 against a side that would always be a tough nut to crack.

YM came out of the blocks well and put the hosts under pressure from the off. Omari Edwards-Holmes was causing problems up front with Dan Sutton providing the supporting role from the right flank. The first chance of the game fell to Sidwell who couldn't find the target from an excellent Woodrow corner, after good work from Sutton. With the wind on side and the tackles flying in, it was another set piece that gave YM the chance to take the lead after Rolfe was hauled down in the box and Sidwell made no mistake for the 2nd week in a row. YM looked assured and confident going in at the break, but the second half proved to be very different.

Winnersh came flying out the traps biting in to every tackle and forcing YM backwards. With a perfect pitch and conditions calming down it should have played in to the Rapids hands to hit the home side ont he counter but the longer the half went on the more touches and passes were going astray, gifting Winnersh poessession every few minutes. It seemed inevitable that Winnersh would score and they did just that after a clumsy Kenny tackle gave the home side a chance to strike direct from a free kick that Phillips should have palmed over, but the ball flew in to the back of the net. This galvanised Winnersh and they came on strongly with YM limited to a few counter attacks that fell apart before they could get going. An imtimitdated referee soon gave Winnersh the goal they needed after the ball bounced up to hit Mark Ilsley on the hand, awarding the harshest of penalties. At 2-1 there was only one side in it and Winnersh capped off the display with a screamer after Rolfe had gifted away possession.

Sidwell lamented: 'The first half we looked relatively assured and actually played well, but the 2nd half was the worst performance we have put in for a long time. Its not helped with players dropping out as I could make no changes but we'll press on and try to get back to winning ways this week'

YM RAPIDS: PHILLIPS, LEACH, M ILSLEY, ROLFE, KENNY, SUTTON, SIDWELL, CORNELL, WOODROW, EDWARDS-HOLMES, NANGLA. SUBS O BOYLE (Not Used)

SIDDERS MOM: DARREN CORNELL