Reading YMCA's Martin Abery was the hero again as he scored a last minute winner for the second week consecutive week.

On a boiling hot day and on a difficult surface the game was a poor affair with little in the way of quality football or goalmouth action.  Park edged the opening period as they dealt comfortably with YM's attacks whilst attacking well on the break without creating any clear cut chances.

YM improved after the break and went close on a couple of occasions but the game appeared destined for a draw with both sides out on their feet until a rare moment of quality saw Johnny Adey whip in a superb cross to the far post where Abery was on hand to angle a header into the roof of the net.

A draw would have been a fair result but YM have developed the knack of winning when not playing well in recent games which should stand them in good stead for the season.

LEMMY'S MOM - ADAM CAYZER

After a dismal performance the week before the Rapids were looking to get on track against a strong SRCC side.YM were forced into fielding a very young side and a change in formation was deciding upon with 5 in the middle. The home side started very well on a scorching hot day and were making the ball do the work, however SRCC always looked threatening when they had possession. As a result it was the away side who took the lead after a long range effort dipped and swerved cruelly for keeper James Phillips and ended up in the back of the net. Shortly after the away side made it 2 with a well struck penalty high to the keepers right.

The half time talk was upbeat despite the 2 goal deficit as the rapids were keeping the ball well and had probably played the better football in the first half. The second half saw the Rapids up their game in all areas of the pitch by that extra 10/15% that was asked of them at half time. The SRCC formation allowed the YM wide players to play very high and have lots of room. It was from this that lead to the YM comeback. Good work down the right between Daly and Leach led to the latter whipping in a great low cross for the impressive Nangla to slot home. With the bit between their teeth the home side continued their charge and soon drew level. This time the good work came down the left from Woodrow who put in a customary superb cross to the advancing Daly at the back stick who smashed it away on the volley. Now the Rapids were going for the win and shortly after MOM Mortimer advanced forward and crashed the ball against the post only for it to fall into the keeper arms. SRCC hadn’t given up though and were still dangerous themselves and great defending from the back 4 of Leach, Clough, Rolfe & M. Ilsley prevented any clear cut chances. The Rapids performance in the second half deserved all 3 points but it wasn’t to be. Special mention goes to Mortimer (21), Brown (18) & Holloway (18) who worked their socks off all match and protected the back 4 superbly.

MARKS MOM - PHILL MORTIMER