A last minute winner from Martin Abery settled a frustrating, if ultimately satisfying, afternoon for Reading YMCA at East Park Farm.

This was the first meeting between the sides since an epic Reading Senior Cup semi-final 5 years previously when the then Hellenic League Marlow went through to the final in extra time.  Marlow are currently in a period of transition after re-joining the Reading League last season but had several familiar faces from the previous time in the league and had started the season well including thumping title favourites Woodcote/Stoke Row.

YM started the game strongly and should have taken the lead when Abery was played in goal but his shot was saved by the keeper and although Johnny Adey tucked in the rebound he was adjudged offside.  Adey then found himself one-on-one with the keeper only to screw his shot wide.

Adey and Abery were creating havoc down the wings and came in for some robust treatment at times with Marlow's Dan Warner booked after 2 late challenges.  Chances were coming at regular intervals for the Young Men but some poor finishing and decision making saw them grow increasingly frustrated as the scores remained level.  At the other end Marlow's lively Vinnie Cuva was left isolated and Marlow were largely redundant as an attacking force during the first period.

YM finally took the lead when a poor Ben Filmore clearance found Jamie Froude who flicked the ball up and slammed home a superb volley.  With less than 5 minutes to go until half-time it seemed a perfect time to score but almost immediately YM switched off trying to play the offside trap and Cuva expertly lobbed the advancing YM keeper Chris Rackley.

The 2nd half continued in a similar fashion with YM having the better of the game, creating chances at regular intervals but failing to score.  Skipper Danny Fitzpatrick had a golden opportunity from a Drew Tipper free-kick but somehow glanced the ball wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.  Sam Jennings and Adey both had good chances before Marlow keeper John Buller made a couple of superb stops to deny Tipper and Jennings.

By the midway point of the half Marlow were beginning to sense that they might nick something as YM began to leave gaps at the back.  Cuva had a golden opportunity to nick a goal when clean through on goal but Rackley stood up well to deny him. With both sides throwing numbers into attack and tiredness creeping in the game became stretched with both sides taking turns to attack.

In truth the game could have gone either way at this stage but with just 16 seconds left on the clock Abery exchanged passes with Jennings before hitting the ball into the net off the far post.  Overall a YM win was probably a fair result but it was hard to begrudge Marlow a point after showing great resilience and doggedness for 89 minutes - qualities that will hold them in good stead this season.

LEMMY'S MOM - MARTIN ABERY

YM Second string produced an absolute shambles of a performance against a strong Woodley Saints side at the weekend. Bosses Mark Ilsley and Steve Woodrow picked a strong 11 from 14 with Alan Ilsley returning to the line up.

On a near perfect pitch at BCS, YM's passing game never got going with misplaced passes, weak tackles and a lack of competitive edge allowing the home side to dominate the game. The home side took the lead on 25 minutes when some poor defending allowed a Saints striker to finish well. YM's best period of play came just before the break when Steve Daly got away down the right and pulled back for Woodrow, but with the cross going just over the YM stalwart, the opportunity had gone summing up YM's half.

The second period started well after a half time lashing as YM got going. Some strong tackles from Tim Sidwell set the tone as YM went looking for a way back in to the game. Dave Simmonds, Daly, Woodrow, Ilsley and Mike Holloway all poured forward but the final pass was lacking as the Rapids failed to create a decent chance. The best chance fell to Sidwell after a spectacular cross from Woodrow saw the midfielders header saved well by the Saints keeper. Despite the poor play YM's keeper James Phillips was enjoying a fine game in goal making 3 great stops. 20 minutes in to the second half Saints hit YM with a sucker punch 2 goal spree and the game was dead. With YM lacking composure and still spraying passes off the pitch it was no surprise that Saints got a 4th with 5 minutes left. There was just time for Mandeep Nangle to rasp a scortcher just wide as the game finished with a heavy defeat.

STEVE/MARK's MOM: JAMES PHILLIPS