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Reading YMCA marched into the Quarter Final of the Maidenhead Norfolkian Cup after a hard fought 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Slough Heating of the East Berks League.
Heating had knocked YM out at the semi-final stage of the same competition last year so YM were primed for a tough contest and that was what they got in a game that lacked quality at times but lacked nothing in effort from both sides.
After a poor display the previous week YM manager drafted in Leon Mannion, Drew Tipper and Chris Lemm with Tristam Dennis and Martin Abery both absent. There was also a welcome return for Jason Wagner who was making his first appearance in the squad this season after a lengthy lay off with an ankle injury.
YM started at a furious pace with Chris Lemm and Adam Cayzer snapping away in midfield and Tipper showcasing his passing game but it was Mannion who was the star of the half as he caused panic in the Heating defence every time he got the ball. And it was a typically direct run from Mannion that created YM's opener when he sprinted down the line and squared for Sam Jennings to sidefoot home.
Shortly afterwards, Chris Lemm went on a rampaging run only to lose the ball but, as the Heating defence dithered, he slid back in to nip the ball off the defender leaving Jennings to swat home his second of the match. YM continued to threaten and almost made the game safe when Tipper hit the bar with a free-kick on the edge of the box.
Heating huffed and puffed but lacked any real penetration until YM conceeded a soft penalty seconds before half-time when Ben Green was adjudged to have pushed a Heating attacker when competing for a high cross. The penalty was duly dispatched and Heating now had a lifeline.
Heating improved considerably after the break and enjoyed the greater share of possession and territory without creating any clear cut chances. YM were restricting to counter-attacking but, as the half wore on, these attacks became rarer until, for the last 15 minutes, Heating laid seige to the YM goal with YM reduced to punting the ball aimlessly out of defence. But Heating could not find the finish they needed and YM walked off with a hard fought but just about deserved victory.
YM now play Slough Laucenrians in the quarter final on 26 Nov.
LEMMY'S MOM - SAM JENNINGS |
