Reading YMCA surrendered a 2-goal lead to come away with a disappointing draw at promoted side Wokingham & Emmbrook.

YM handed a debut to Reading Town keeper Chris Rackley but he had little to do in the 1st half which YM had the better of without ever looking dominant.  Defender Danny Fitzpatrick hit the bar with a speculative volley from 20 yards whilst a great run from Naz Edmunds ended with him hitting the post.

After a goaless 1st half, YM were 2-0 up within the opening 20 minutes of the 2nd half.  The opener came after Sam Jennings turned sharply in the area before drilling the ball across goal for Luke Kasonde to bundle in.  Then good work from Drew Tipper allowed Johnny Adey to extend the lead.

YM looked in control until Wokingham fired in 1 goals in quick succession to set up a nervous last 15 minutes.  A cross was met with an excellent header by a Wokingham player and then a Wokingham player found himself clean through where his deflected shot eluded Rackley.

YM's defence had lost all shape at this point at it was only heroics from Rackley that preserved YM's point.  The day got worse when Sam Jennings was taken off with suspected knee ligament damage.


READING YMCA: RACKLEY, FROUD, ALLEN, FITZPATRICK, LEMM, EDMUNDS, GIBSON, HUGHES, JENNINGS, KASONDE, ADEY. SUBS: A TIPPER (Replaced Jennings 57), WAGNER (Replaced Edmunds 82), M LEMM (Replaced Kasonde 89)

LEMMY'S MOM: CHRIS RACKLEY

YM second string got their season started with a fine performance against Hurst at Cantley Park. Yet again the Rapids were missing a host of names but the 11 on the pitch were at it from start to finish and gave Hurst no time to get going.

Lewis Evans took his tally to 2 MOM's for the seaon with a fine display at left back. The winger has made the transition extremely well and his ability to combine both roles is earning rave reviews.

Goals from Steve Daly, Alan Ilsley and Mandeep Nangla gave YM a well deserved win to kickstart their season. Returning boss Tim Sidwell will hope to carry on the good work with a stern test away to league leaders Woking and Emmbrook A this Saturday.

YM RAPIDS: PHILLIPS, LEACH, M ILSLEY, GREEN, EVANS, DALY, CORNELL, WEAFER, NANGLA, WOODROW, A ILSLEY.

SIDDERS MOM: LEWIS EVANS