Rapids manager Paul O Boyle was the hero as YM's second string, once again defied the odds to make it through to the last 16 of the county cup. The club veteran made a cameo appearance and netted the equalising goal with 14 seconds left of extra time to send the tie in to penalties.
YM went in to the game with only 2 subs including manager O Boyle who's last YM appearance was over 5 years ago when YM were senior new boys. The game started at a lively pace and it was the home ide that had the best of the chances, but centre halves Dave Rolfe and Mark Lemm stood firm, repelling everything thrown at them. YM then started to show their authority with Steve Daly and Tim Sidwell pulling the midfield strings and widemen Dean Williams and Dan Sutton causing problems down the flanks. The 1st period was coming to a inocuous conclusion till YM won a succession of dead balls in dangerous wide positions and Sidwell sent in 3 consecutive vicious deliveries that outfoxed the home defence and should have been capitalised upon. First Lemm headed over from 8 yards and fellow centre half followed suit with a diving effort that somehow stayed out. With the wind at their backs it had seemed a missed opportunity as the half time whistle went.
Cippenham came out the blocks wind assisted and stated their intentions when both strikers went close in the opening exchanges but the first major incident of the 2nd half came on 55 minutes when top scorer Dave Morrison outfoxed the home defence, only to be brought crashing down with a clumsy challenge. First team manager Mark Lemm took charge and placed the ball on the spot but his weak kick was easily saved by an impressive Cippenham keeper. This galvanised the home side who took the lead almost from the restart when a long clearance fell to a home forward who's shot appeared to take a bobble over YM's Rob Taylor before rolling in to the net.
YM showed their fighting spirit and took the game to the Slough side looking for a quick equaliser and it was Dave Rolfe that got them back on track. Sidwell chinked past the home right back only to be obstructed and whipped in a pacey free kick that was cleared to the edge of the box and was helped back in by Daly. Rolfe beat the offside trap and crashed home a tricycle kick to send the YM fans wild.
YM were on the up and there seemed to be only 1 winner. Sam Cripps danced around the home defence before unleashing a shot that was well saved by the home keeper but a square ball to Sidwell may have been the easier option. Chris Leach had acres of room and delivered some pinpoint crosses but the home side stood firm and the extra half an hour ensued.
The first extra period produced a rather tired affair with chances becoming a rarity, but it was the 2nd period that sparked the game back in to life. From the restart a Cippenham winger raced on to a through ball before dancing round Wood and Morrison on for the tricster to be bought down for the 2nd penalty of the game. This time the home side made no mistake and it started to look like it wasn't YM's day. Some resolute defending along with some questionable finishing saw Lemm pushed up front. Sidwell was picking the ball up from all angles and firing direct balls in to the home penalty area with desperation. The woodwork and keeper saved the home side on 3 occasions and it seemed the game was up till a Daly corner was whipped in to the box. All 22 players were inside the home penalty area and although the home side cleared the ball, Morrison looped a hopeful attempt back in and Paul O Boyle's merest of touches sent the ball in to the bottom corner to send the YM players mad. 14 seconds were all that were left and the tie would be decided by penalty Kicks.
Sidwell won the toss and stepped up to fire home the first kick and put YM in front. Taylor then saved magnificently from a home forward and Morrison finished with aplomb to make it 2-0. Cippenham's best panlty came next, leaving Taylor no chance and Daly's miss then made things tense. A succesful home kick was followed by Rolfe unleashing an effort that crashed off the underside of the crossbar and in to the net. Another great Taylor save then left Cripps to wrap up proceedings and YM were through.
Boss, O Boyle said: 'This group of players have a never say die attitude and will battle to the very end. I think we deserved the win today and it was especially pleasing to help the side with the crucial goal.'
READING YMCA RAPIDS: TAYLOR, LEACH, M LEMM, ROLFE, WOOD, WILLIAMS (replaced by O'BOYLE 105mins), DALY, SIDWELL, D MORRISON, SUTTON (replaced by T MORRISON 60mins), CRIPPS SUBS T MORRISON, O'BOYLE, ILSLEY (not used).
BOILER'S MOM - TIM SIDWELL
