YM Rapids came through a stern test against Turnpike Sports on Monday night with Sean Kenny and Luke Kasonde grabbing the vital goals. With 2 games left and 4 points needed, this game was always going to be crucial if the Rapids were to lift the division 2 title. As with most midweek games the preparation was disrupted by the home side turning up half an hour late the game being played over 80 minutes. Mark Lemm came in to the YM goal with Ryan Tipper back in the holding midfield role and Alan Ilsley returning up top.

Played on a small, bobbly pitch this was never going to be a classic but the Rapids quickly set about their task, battering the Turnpike defence with Luke Kasonde tormenting the back 4. Alan Ilsley was enjoying a fine game holding the ball up bringing wide men Lewis Evans and Steve Woodrow in to the game at every opportunity. Kasonde had the first clear cut chance of the game when Sidwell slotted the striker through but some good defending sent him away from goal and a resulted in a couple of half penalty shouts that weren’t given. Sidwell tried his luck from range and Rolfe always looked dangerous from set pieces but YM didn’t really have the cutting edge and were heading for a frustrating evening. Evans was flying down the left and the tricky winger tied his man in all sorts of knots before delivering a couple of pin point crosses but the YM strikeforce could not find the target. The best attempt of the half fell to Sidwell on 40 minutes when the former YM skipper lashed a shot goalwards from a tight angle but was tipped over by the competent Turnpike Keeper. At the other end Lemm was rarely troubled and his back 4 stood firm whenever the Newbury side produced an attack.

The second period was vital if YM were to produce the goods and it got off to a flyer when Sean Kenny took advantage of some slack defending and curled in a brilliant free kick with the Turnpike side stood still organizing the wall. This spurred the home side on and YM now had some defending to do. Sidwell and Rolfe were dominant in the air with Evans and Woodrow always looking to break quickly. Ryan Tipper was the usual rock in the middle and snuffed out the danger when Turnpike looked to be gaining the upper hand. Dave Morrison was introduced on 75 minutes and had a glorious chance to put the game to bed, but his header couldn’t find the net and the Newbury side kept pressing. Lemm made a smart stop on 75 minutes and set Evans away down the right, who rinsed 3 players before winning a corner from which the vital goal would come. Kasonde managed to get on the end with the Turnpike keeper claiming foul play, but the cool finish meant YM had some breathing space and could see the game out to take the vital 3 points.

READING YMCA RAPIDS: M LEMM, LEACH, ROLFE, M ILSLEY, KENNY, EVANS, SIDWELL, R TIPPER, WOODROW, A ILSLEY, KASONDE. SUBS D MORRISON (Replaced A Ilsley 75), CORNELL (Replaced Sidwell 85)

BOILER'S MOM - LEWIS EVANS