Reading YMCA inflicted Sandhurst Devels 1st home defeat of the season as they ran out 2-0 winners in a hard fought encounter.

YM welcomed back Jamie Froude after a 3 week absence along with Naz Edmunds but were without the absent Mark Lemm meaning Ben Green slotted in at centre back for an otherwise unchanged YM side.  Sandhurst were significantly depleted with several players attending a wedding.

YMCA flew out of the traps against a Sandhurst side who were still in with a realistic shout of the title, pressing them high up the pitch, hitting their tackles hard and playing some wonderfully fast paced football with, perhaps, only the final ball lacking at times. YM’S wide men, David Givens & Johnny Adey were both enjoying a great deal of space and causing their markers problems but it was the midfield trio of Jason Wagner, Edmunds and Chris Lemm who were the stand out performers with all action display to boss the central area.

The could have been so different in the 1st minute when keeper Stephen Marshall, in his final appearance of the season, was caught dwelling on the ball allowing a Sandhurst striker to close him down but fortunately the ball defelcted to safety.

YM’S effort deserved a goal and it duly came when and Adey cross was partially cleared by Sandhurst and looped up into the air towards Lemm and, with the keeper caught in no man's land, Lemm was able to head over the
keeper into the unprotected net. YM continued to enjoy lots of possession in the Sandhurst final third but were somewhat wasteful and failed to take full advantage and extend their lead. Adey had YM’S best chance but he unfortunately mis-controlled the ball when clean through on the Sandhurst goal and then a superb YM move was ended with Wagner slicing wide of the upright from outside the box.

YM began to tire as the half progressed and Sandhurst began to get on top from the 30 minute mark and had some good oportunities that were wasted by a poor final ball or finish. A Sandhurst striker lobbed the ball over the onrushing Marshall when clean through but fortunately for YM the ball didn’t drop in time to squeeze under the bar. Whilst on another occasion, Marshall did well to sprint off his line to get to a long ball just before a Sandhurst striker. Sandhurst also had a shot cleared off the line by Scott Allen.

YM regrouped at half time and started the 2nd half looking to keep better shape and work more intelligently off the ball and they were successful in lowering the tempo and being harder to breakdown. The defensive unit spearheaded by the impressive Green and Allen were able to repel the rare occasions that Sandhurst broke through the midfield but the fullbacks in particular were superb in their determination to get up and down the pitch.

There was one heart stopping moment for YM when a Sandhurst player benefitted from some fortunate ricochets to find himself with the goal at his mercy from 6 yards out. He toe poked the ball past Marshall but hit the post and, luckily for YM, the ball rebounded straight back into Marshall’s arms.  But generally, Sandhurst were running out of ideas and were largely restricted to shots from outside the box.

Injuries to Givens and Wagner forced a reshuffle but both replacements Hayden Brown and David Simmonds made a significant impact and gave their team the impetus to see out the match. Simmonds was repeatedly fouled deep into the Sandhurst half which released any pressure YM may have been feeling and was causing the Sandhurst full back some serious problems.  In contrast, Brown's hunger for a tackle was inspiring as was his calmness in possession.

With Sandhurst pushing forwards in the closing stages YM really should have added more goals after working several excellent situations.  But in the end they managed to clinch the game when Sam Jennings held off 2 Sandhurst defenders and dribbled towards goal where he faked to shoot, turned outside and drove a well-placed left foot shot into the bottom corner. YM weathered the final 10 minutes with ease and sealed the 3 points.

The victory leaves YM with a chance of securing a runners up spot with Westwood, Sandhurst and Woodcote all within a couple of points of each other but the Young Men will face a stern test this week against likely champions Highmoor/IBIS at Scours Lane.

LEMMYS MOM – SAM JENNINGS

YM's second string mix run of form continued with an undeserved 2-1 defeat to Sandhurst Devels Res. After being totally outplayed last week, the Rapids went in to the game with a strong squad including Reading Town keeper Chris Rackley and welcoming James Atkinson back from a long break.

As with most games at this level, the first 15 minutes proved to be a bit of a free for all with neither side really playing much football on the bobbly pitch. As the game calmed down it was YM who asserted their authority with Rolfe and Ilsley in comanding form, feeding Sidwell, Gibson and Woodrow who were all looking to join lone striker Dan Sutton in attack. The pacy YM frontman was causing the Sandhurst defence all sorts of problems and it was from a mazy run, ghosting past 3 players, he had his shirt pulled and the referee correctly pointed to the spot. Sidwell dispatched the penalty for his 13th of the season and YM looked to go on from there, but the game turned on 30 minutes. Rolfe appeared to have sheperded the ball out of play only to hear no whislte as the entire YM back line stopped expecting a goal kick. The Sandhurst forward had other ideas though, playing on and unleashing a rasping shot that gave Rackley no chance. With the teams level at the break and YM with the downhill advantage it seemed as though the young men should go on to take maximum points.

Lewis Evans and Chris Leach were getting forward at every opportunity but YM seemed to lack the ideas and composure when getting near the Sandhurst box. At the other end, Rackley was in commanding form, plucking crosses out the air and firing massive kicks to feet. He could do nothing about the bizarre own goal that sealed the match when Mark Ilsley was struck on the chest by a wayward shot and the ball rolled in to the empty net. Sidwell introduced the pacy Atkinson and front man Alan Ilsley as YM looked for a way back in to the game. As the half wore on the Rapids just lacked the crucial pass and piece of play that would unlock the stubborn Sandhurst defence. Mandeep Nangla and Atkinson both found space but couldnt breach the backline though it seemed as though YM had earned a point on 90 mintues when a deep cross found Ilsley at the back post. The tall YM forward seemed to be stood on the goal line but somehow managed to turn the chance round the post for a goal kick leaving the entire YM squad with their head in their hands. Evans also had a chance to nab a point late on but his right footed shot flew inches past the post as Sandhurst held on.

Sidwell said 'This sort of summed up our season. Had plenty of the ball, plenty of room, plenty of chances and didnt take them. We did lack a bit of composure at times, but hopefully we'll finish the season on a strong note with 3 games left'

YM RAPIDS: RACKLEY, LEACH, M ILSLEY, ROLFE, EVANS, GIBSON, HOLLOWAY, SIDWELL, CORNELL, WOODROW, SUTTON. Subs: Atkinson (Replaced Holloway 60), A Ilsley (Replaced Sutton 60), Nangla (Replaced Sidwell 70)

SIDDERS MOM - LEWIS EVANS