Reading YMCA's recent winning streak came to end as they were held to a 1-1 draw against a resolute Frilsham & Yattendon side.

YM went into the game missing 5 first team regulars but were able to hand a debut to Mark Mabbett whilst player manager Mark Lemm filled in between the sticks.  And Lemm had to be on his toes as Frilsham had the first shot on goal when Stefan Marx volleyed towards the bottom corner only for Lemm to acrobatically tip the ball past the upright.  The visitors were delivering the ball quickly into their strikers and using the channels well but the central defensive duo of Danny Fitzpatrick and Ben Green were working hard to snuff out any danger.

Frilsham had edged the opening 20 minutes but YM were breaking at speed and were getting behind the Frilsham defence at regular intervals without finding the final touch.  YM were getting on top and took the lead when Abery rounded keeper Damien Scurr and, despite being forced wide, Rob Lee was backing up to send the ball back to Abery who slotted home.

Abery had another chance shortly after when he beat Scurr to the ball and lobbed him only for the ball to hit the roof of the net.  Then Lee was released in on goal but with the ball falling to his left side he could only shoot over the crossbar with Scurr again exposed.

YM started slowly in the 2nd half as Frilsham dominated territory and possession and should have taken the lead when the dangerous Jamie Green turned Fitzpatrick in the box to present him with a clear shot on goal only to blaze the ball over the bar.  Frilsham did earn a deserved equalizer when a deep cross was knocked back across goal allowing Dominic Sullivan to head in off the unfortunate head of Sean Kenny.

This was the spur for YM to enjoy their best spell of the match as they peppered the Frilsham goal and breached their defence with almost every attack. Sam Jennings, Luke Kasonde, Rob Lee and Drew Tipper all had great chances to win the goal but the best chance fell to Abery who shot wide when clean through.  Kasonde also had a goal disallowed for offside in what was a hectic final 20 minutes.

Frilsham were still a big threat on the break and, with YM pushing forwards, could easily have snatched something if they had most the most of occasionally outnumbering the YM defence.

YM boss Lemm said "It was a hard fought game and both sides put alot in. From our point of view it was 2 points lost after the number of chances we created but this has been our achilles heel this season.  Frilsham are a good side and work hard for each other and they will definitely take points off teams as the season progresses.

We had some big players out but other lads have come in and shown that they can play a part this season so there are positives from our point of view although nothing can beat winning."


READING YMCA:M LEMM, CAYZER, GREEN, FITZPATRICK, KENNY (replaced by CASSIDY 80mins), LEE (replaced by KASONDE 75mins), EDMUNDS, MABBETT (replaced by DALY 75mins), D TIPPER, ABERY, JENNINGS SUBS KASONDE, DALY, CASSIDY.

LEMMY'S MOM - BEN GREEN

YM Rapids produced one of the worst displays of the season to only take a point from Highmoor Ibis A. No less than 5 players turned up 20 minutes before KO and the shambles preparation shone through in the opening encouters. Highmoor A, a team filled with veterans, were running the show and it was no surprise when they took the lead froma quick counter attack. YM immediately hit back and went close from 2 set pieces. The turning point came on 25 minutes when Sidwell was blatently hauled down in the box ata corner only for the ref to wave play on. The former YM skipper got his revenge 5 minutes later, crashing in a header from 6 yards to level the scores. The rest of the half decended in to a midfield battle and the teams went in level.

The second period carried on in much the same vein as the first with the winners of the midfield battle dominating the possession stats. Atkinson and Dave Morrison both had half chances but found the Ibis keeper in commanding form. The next moment on controvosy came on the hour mark when Sidwell was again hauled down in the box, even more blatently than the first, at a corner with the Highmoor defender having eyes for nothing else but the foul. Again play was waved on and YM could not believe their luck. A couple of reminders and last ditch clearances were reminders for the Rapids but the reds had finally turned up and were pushing for the win. In a bizarre series of events Sidwell left the centre half for dead and pulled the ball back for Lewis Evans to slot home, but the usually reliabe ginger winger fluffed his lines and the keeper saved, only for the ball to fall to Sidwell 2 yards out who slammed the ball home...........except the Highmoor keeper produced one the saves of the century sticking out an arm to keep his side in it. Morrison then had several chances to net the points after great work by his brother down the right but perhaps the chance of the match came with 5 mins left when Sidwell floated an inch perfect ball to the back post where the YM hitman could only head straight at the keeper from 6 yards with the goal at his mercy. Dave Rolfe then turned provider for Sidwell to head against the bar with the last touch of the game and the Rapids could only come away with a point.

YM RAPIDS: TAYLOR, LEACH, M ILSLEY, ROLFE, CORNELL, BAKER, FROUDE, SIDWELL, R TIPPER, MORRIOSN, ATKINSON SUBS: EVANS (FROUD 45), T MORRION (BAKER 65) O BOYLE (NOT USED)

BOILERS MOM: DARREN CORNELL