Reading YMCA were left to count the costs of missed chances after suffering a disappointing defeat to Mortimer - completing a league double over the Young Men in the process.

YM started well enough and were gifted an early chance when a miscued clearance from Mortimer keeper Dave Lyons landed at the feet of YM's Sam Jennings but the striker screwed his shot wide of the post.  A swift YM move then left strike partner Andrew Heath clean through on goal but Lyons atoned for his earlier error by staying big to reach Heath's delicate dink.

Mortimer then took the lead against the run of play when the YM defence failed to clear a Robbie Creech cross - as the ball balloned up in the air, Mortimer striker Martin Abery jumped highest to loop a header over stand-in keeper David Rolfe.

Both sides were enjoying their fair share of possession and territory but it was YM who looked the more incisive with Lyons making another superb save to deny Heath after he was again clean through on goal.  Lyons continued to single handedly deny YM when he somehow kept out a powerful Jennings headers from a corner.

But it was Mortimer who had the chance of the half when player manager Mark Lemm made a hash of a crossfield pass allowing Abery a clear run at goal.
The pacy striker did everything right by taking the ball past the keeper only to somehow shoot wide with the goal at his mercy.

But Abery was enjoying an outstanding game and his closing down frequently forced the YM defence into a misplaced pass or hurried clearance.

As the half wore on Mortimer were largely restricted to shots from outside the bar whilst YM midfielder Tim Zielinski hit the bar with a speculative 30-yard lob after another poor Lyons clearance.

Despite being behind, YM were optimistic heading into the 2nd period with the elements in their favour and armed with the knowledge that they had created several chances.

And their optimism seemed well founded as they piled on the pressure in the opening 15 minutes with Mortimer forced to defend doggedly.  But despite working several attacking opportunities the Young Men could not quite the final ball needed to create a clear cut opportunity.

And then, with the game in the balance, it was Mortimer who struck the decisive blow when the increasingly influential Jimmy Clarke carried the ball into the YM half before exchanging passes with a teamate and drilling in a low shot from what looked like an impossible angle.

It was a bitter blow for YM and Lemm immediately responded by bringing on Andy Bullett and Steve Woodrow in attempt to get something from the game.
But as YM tried to force the game they lost their shape and had a desperate look to their play as passes went astray and opportunities wasted.

In fact, it was Mortimer who probably should have extended their lead in the final 20 minutes as they soaked up pressure and repeatedly hit YM on the break but YM's Ben Green was in excellent form and he was on hand to bail his side out on a number of occasions.

Disappointed YM boss Lemm said "Over the course of the game we created more chances and if we'd have stuck a couple of our early chances away the game would have a different complexion.  But the difference was that Mortimer were sharper in the last third and took their chances whilst I thought Abery and Clarke were outstanding for them today.

The whole squad is gutted because we had built up a good run of form leading up to this game but we'll lick our wounds, train hard and look forward to giving Newbury a good game next Saturday."

   On a positive note for YM, midfielder Chris Lemm made his comeback after
a year-long lay off with a broken leg by starring in Reading YMCA
Rapids' 7-2 win over Sonning Res.

READING YMCA: ROLFE, M LEMM, B GREEN, CASSIDY, CORNELL (replaced WOODROW 65mins), FITZPATRICK, ZIELINSKI (replaced BULLETT 65mins), SIDWELL, EDMUNDS, HEATH, JENNINGS SUBS BULLETT, WOODROW.

Comeback kid, Chris Lemm was the star of the show as Reading YMCA Rapids made it 6 games unbeaten after a convincing 7-2 victory over struggling Sonning Res.

Lemm has been out for a year with a broken leg sustained playing for YM's 1st team and he showed what YM have been missing by scoring 1 and setting up another in a Man of the Match performance.

YM raced into a 5-0 lead at the inteval with Sean Kenny, Ryan Tipper, Dan Sutton and Rob Maslen joining Lemm on the scoresheet.  Sonning then mounted a mini revival by pulling back 2 goals before Lee Worth and Mark Ilsley - with his first goal for 5 years - put the game beyond reach.

Player manager Paul O'Boyle said "We're on a great run at the moment and it was a boost for everyone to see Chris back in action.  We've now got 6 games left and if we can 5 of them we should be good for promotion.  We are playing Bell & Bottle next week who are probably the best side we have played so that will be a real test of our credentials."

READING YMCA RAPIDS: HARVEY, SANIGAR, C TIPPER, ILSLEY, WOOD, WILLIAMS (replaced by MASLEN 45mins), KENNY, R TIPPER, C LEMM, SUTTON (replaced by O'BOYLE 75mins), WORTH SUBS MASLEN, O'BOYLE.

BOILER'S MAN OF THE MATCH - CHRIS LEMM

Pacey front man Andrew Heath grabbed the MOM award in the last game for the rapids. Heath tucked away 2 goals to help the Rapids to a 4-2 victory over promotion rivals Turnpike Sports.