YM Rapids came through a tough encounter with Sonning Res on Saturday, only a week after putting 6 past the Woodford Park side. Back to back games rarely produce 2 similar performances but it was a solid disciplined display from YM’s second string who came through with goals from Andy Bullett and Steve Woodrow.
The game kicked off in familiar fashion with YM laying siege to the Sonning goal and finding it tough to pick that killer pass. Steve Wood was first up as the youngster cut in from the left and fired a shot across goal that somehow evaded everyone and rolled safely off for a goal kick. Veteran Woodrow, then had a chance to opening the scoring but could only find the Sonning keeper in good form. Wood then setup Jamie Froud and Andy Bullett but both YM men also found the away stopper in outstanding form. Sean Kenny was ploughing forward at every opportunity and it was his cross that found Bullett in an acre of space with the goal at his mercy. The usually reliable Bullett somehow headed wide from 5 yards when it seemed easier to score. This gave the away side impetuous and a Sonning striker gave stand in keeper Mark Lemm a scare when a set piece wasn’t cleared and Lemm had to be alert to tip the ball over from 7 yards.
The second period started with YM in control and looking for the crucial breakthrough, with Woodrow, Froud and Dave Rolfe all going close. The flashpoint of the second half came on 60 minutes when Steve Wood was brought crashing down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty which incensed the away side. Bullett stepped up to make the breakthrough but skied his shot over the bar to the delight of the Sonning players. Sidwell burst down the right and lofted an inch perfect cross to Woodrow who could only head wide from 8 yards and it looked as though it may not be YM’s day. Sonning could sense an upset and held out till 70 minutes when YM picked up the pace and shattered the away defence, getting the goal their dominance deserved. Sidwell fed Froud who drove on drawing players out of the back 4, creating the space for Woodrow to feed Bullett who made no mistake from 15 yards and slotted the ball under the Sonning keeper. Woodrow then made the game safe on 80 minutes when a defensive mix up allowed the hitman to slot home from 20 yards, keeping the Rapids on course for the Div 3 title.
Stand in Boss Mark Lemm said ‘we dug deep today and showed a lot of composure whilst not getting the breakthrough. Tim Sidwell, Jamie Froud and Sean Kenny really typified the YM spirit and make the crucial tackles at 0-0 to set us going’
READING YMCA RAPIDS: M LEMM, LEACH, ROLFE, TOWNER, KENNY, BULLETT (replaced by Cayzer 65mins), FROUDE, SIDWELL, WOOD (replaced by MASLEN 68mins), WOODROW, DALY (replaced by R TIPPER 72mins) SUBS CAYZER, MASLEN, R TIPPER.
LEMMY'S MOM - SEAN KENNY
