Reading YMCA saw their title dream disappear after a 3-1 defeat to rivals Woodley Town - a victory that saw Woodley crowned as Senior Division champions for the first time in over 20 years. Woodley will now move up to the Hellenic League but they hope to do so on the back of a historic treble with 2 cup finals still remaining to be contested in May at the Madjeski Stadium.  And defeated manager paid tribute to the winners "Woodley are worthy winners of the league this year - they have been the most consistent side and have proven their quality by beating 4 or Hellenic sides in the cup competitions. It was a poor game and I was really disappointed with our performance as we just never got going and didn't put Woodley under any real pressure until the last 10minutes.  But in fairness alot of that was down to Woodley who worked hard off the ball and didn't give us any room to play."

Woodley started the game well and had an early chance when Tom Williams found space in the box but the YM covering defender managed to get a block in.  Woodley took the lead on 25 minutes when a corner was met by Craig Hiscock and despite making a poor connection the shot somehow eluded several players and keeper Scott Mortimer to drift into the net. Woodley continued to have the upper hand and the outstanding right back Dan Jewell went close with a 30 yard thunderbolt. YM came more into the game as half-time approached with Danny Fitzpatrick spurning a half chance and Martin Abery hitting the side netting.  The 2nd half was all Woodley and they doubled their lead on the hour when a Jewell cross was somehow forced in by lively striker Paul Wilder.  Shortly afterwards Carl Davies made it 3 when he was left unmarked to race in on goal and stab his shot past the onrushing Mortimer. YM's Drew Tipper was the only YM player who looked on his game during this period but despite some good runs and set piece deliveries he could not inspire the breakthrough.  YM did earn a lifeline though when Johnny Adey chested the ball down on the edge of the box before turning and hitting a crisp volley into the bottom corner. YM stepped up the pace in the closing stages with sub Lemm hitting the post from a header but it was too little to late for the Young Men who will reflect on a good season once the disappointment has subsided.

Lemm continued "The lads did really well to recover after picking up 2 points from our first 4 games and we went 13 games unbeaten after that to put us in contention.  We have made great progress over the past 3 years and this will be our 3rd consecutive top 4 finish - we just need to bring 2/3 players to make the difference between going close and winning things.  Hopefully there are players out there who will want to join us to make that difference. We were down after the game but the lads were saying straight away that they all more determined to win the league next year but we have to accept that we weren't good enough this year."

YMCA Rapids stayed on course for promotion with a comfortable win over Sonning Sports. The young men need to take maximum points from their remaining games in order to secure a second division spot but were shaken when within the first 5 mins  when Sonning took a surprise lead after a long ball was played in behind Steve Wood for the sonning striker to latch onto and lash a thunderbolt straight past stand-in keeper Paul Towner. However the Rapids remained composed and within 10 mins found the equalizer when a Dave Morrison cross was met by Lewis Evans to head home. Top scorer Morrison then got in on the act after confusion at the back between the sonning defender and goalkeeper allowed the 34 goal man to slide the ball into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead. YM legend Steve Woodrow missed a one on one chance to extend the lead when he brought a fine save from the Sonning stopper. With 40 mins on the clock a rapids corner straight from the training ground saw sidwell launch the ball to the far post which Bully volleyed into the area for evans to head home for his second of the day. The game was made safe just before the break when Sidwell raked a trade mark pass in to the path of Andy Bullett which the irishman latched onto and confidently drove the ball low to the goalies left into the corner of the net.

YM started the second period brightly and it was Sidwell who drove on after 50mins, taking on two Sonning midfielders and slotting the ball home for his 50th goal for the club. On 55 mins Dean Williams was introduced to the action replacing Morrisson despite desperate pleas to stay on, as he is 3 goals away from equaling Julian Keetch’s YM record for number of goals scored in a season. Rapids boss O'Boyle was aware of Morrissons absence for Saturdays cup final and as such wanted to see Williams in a more advanced role.

Shortly after Rob Maslen replaced Steve Wood and made an instant impact. Maslen was involved in the build up which led to Adam Cayzers 65th minute strike and first for the club. Maslen then latched onto a loose ball following a corner and drove it passed the Sonning number one. The ever impressive Ilsey wrapped matters up with an 18 yard strike to top off a good afternoon for the Rapids.

Rapids boss O'Boyle

"This was always a potentially difficult match and I was especially pleased with our response to going a goal down. We have entered a critical point of our season with second place and two cup finals to play for. Today Sidwell produced the type of performance we all know he is capable off and I am looking for him to take that into next weeks Jubilee Cup Final".

READING YMCA RAPIDS: TOWNER, LEACH, ROLFE, ILSLEY, WOOD (replaced by MASLEN 60mins), BULLETT, SIDWELL, CAYZER, EVANS, WOODROW, D MORRISON (replaced by WILLIAMS 55mins) SUBS WILLIAMS, MASLEN.