YM Rapids survived a late Theale charge to hold on to all 3 points at the weekend. Manager Tim Sidwell welcomed back Hayden Brown at centre half and Steve Daly to wide right, as well as Scott Gibson to the middle of midfield.

A blustery day at Theale saw the game kick off with all sorts of ominous weather signs overhead but it was YM who quickly got the ball down and started to make use of the space on the big pitch. Steve Woodrow started to cause problems down the left and went close after being put through by Sidwell. Daly brought along his usual box of tricks, combining well with Chris Leach down the YM right as the YM trickster twice pulled the ball back for Sidwell who could only fire over or find the keepers hands. YM took the lead on 15 minutes as Sidwell played a 40 yard pass in to Daly's path who finished calmly from a tight angle. It was at this point God decided the players needed a break as the heavens opened with rain and hail, as Theale Rec became a seen from a maritime disaster movie. The ref called the players off for 10 mins to let it pass and the game continued with a Sidwell throw that was presented back to him, but his low drive was well saved by the Theale keeper. The game was all YM and it came as no shock when Woodrow made it 2-0. A raking kick from Froud was expertley brought down and YM's record appearance maker slotted to ball home as YM cruised in to half time.

The game looked dead and buried after 55 minutes as Daly grabbed his second and YM's 3rd, tapping home after great work down the left by Lewis Evans and Woodrow. Sidwell had the luxury of making 2 changes but from here on in the game turned. The Rapids seemed to lose all composure on the ball though the pitch became more mud than grass. Passes went astray, tackles missed and possession was gifted away at every opportunity. Theale sensed the danger and struck with half an hour left to reduce the deficit. A simple long ball clearance fell to the speedy forward who made no mistake slotting home. YM were still attacking but Sidwell's hold up play was leaving a lot to be desired and it was Ben Johnson, back from long term injury, who was creating most for YM with Daly and Woodrow in tow. Theale were pressing hard though, and it came as no surprise as another defensive slip allowed the home side to make it 3-2 with 10 minutes left. The game decended into a slog with players slipping everywhere and the ball acting as though it would rather have been in the changing rooms with no one taking control but YM held out and took the points. The game ended on a sour note as Ben Johnson took an awkward fall and appeared to suffer a reoccurance of the injury that kept him out for so long. Best wishes for a speedy recovery from all at YM

Sidders said 'we were 3 up and cruising and should have just seen the game out but credit to Theale, they came back at us well. The weather and pitch clearly didnt help the game as a whole but our possession needs to be better in the run in. It is nice to see goals come from all over the ptich though and we are still playing great attacking football'

YN RAPIDS: FROUD, LEACH, M ILSLEY, BROWN, EVANS, DALY, CORNELL, GIBSON, WOODROW, SIDWELL, A ILSLEY. SUBS: JOHNSON (Replaced A Ilsley 60), HOLLOWAY (Replaced Gibson 60), M LEMM (Replaced Brown 70)

SIDDERS MOM - STEVE DALY