Reading YMCA started off 2012 with a hard-fought but deserved 3-1 win over a strong Theale side.

YM looked sharp from the off and could have taken the lead through Sam Jennings and then Drew Tipper before a pin-point Tipper free-kick was glanced into the net by goal machine Johnny Adey on 15 minutes.  YM were in control of the game but Theale were showing glimpses of their attacking threat through Koroma and the impressive Chris Bark.

Jennings and Adam Cayzer both had excellent chances to score before Theale grabbed an equalizer when Bark did well to latch on to a long ball by David Givens and then volley over stranded keeper Chris Rackley and into the net.  YM responded quickly and regained the lead when another accurate dead ball delivery from Tipper created confusion in the Theale ranks and Danny Fitzpatrick was on hand to poke the ball home.

Theale had the best spell of the match in the minutes leading up to half-time but YM's defence led by the returning Tristam Dennis was impressive in repelling the threat.  

The 2nd half was a close contest with the game largely being fought in midfield with the workrate of the YM engine room gradually wearing down their opponents.  Koroma continued to be Theale's main threat but slowly the home side began to run out of ideas and YM made the game safe when Adam Cayzer broke up an attack, played the ball through to Jennings who slammed home.

LEMMY'S MAN OF THE MATCH - CHRIS LEMM