Tipped as red hot favourites to go down by Reading Post's very own Tommy Drake at the start of the season, YM had all the incentive they needed to hold their own in Division 1 West, following promotion from Division 2.
And they did much more than that as a 2-0 win over promotion rivals AFC Burghfield secured 2nd place and automatic promotion to the Premier Division, for the first time in YM's history.
Having assembled a hardworking squad of talented young players, YM have exceeded all expectations except their own. Not only have they won over half the matches they have played together they have also done it with an exemplary disciplinary record born out of a desire to play football, rather than bully and scrap their way through games.
Sunday's game was a must win for both teams as a result for Burghfield would have put them in the driving seat for second place. The game however was played in good spirits with both teams concentrating on playing football. YM shaded possession of the ball and lively winger Ben Simon caused AFC problems throughout with his direct running and pace.
The game didn't actually spark in to life until the 20th minute however. Ben Simon drew a foul from the AFC full-back, who was a little over zealous with his 'second nibble' which led to a coming together with a YM player. The AFC player raised his hands aggressively and following the letter of the law, referee Neal Hussey showed him a somewhat harsh straight red card. The challenge was probably worse than the raised hands, but a yellow card would have possibly been a fair outcome.
YM settled even further after this and took the lead on 27 minutes when Centre Back Matt Gill, directly ignoring team orders of discipline and controlling the back 4, selfishly galloped forwards, outran the AFC defence and coolly slotted past the excellent AFC keeper for 1-0.
AFC, down to 10 men, struggled to get a foot hold in the game after that and were largely reduced to long distance efforts, whilst at the other end, YM were profligate in front of goal.
It looked like it was going to be a tight finish as Burghfield rallied until Marcus Biscetta sealed the points for YM in the 70th minute.
Ben Simon again did the damage, running at AFC and the ball broke to Biscetta on the edge of the 6 yard box who tucked the ball home.
This was a remarkable season for YM, considering there were several games this season where the whole first 11 were injured, and many of their key players from the previous season were restricted to cameo roles.
2nd place was the final position YM ended up in, with 1st place team The Plough benefiting from 4 walkovers which gave them 12 points, 12 goals and 4 clean sheets, without kicking a ball. YM on the other hand, payed all 22 of their fixtures with a largely depleted squad. Not that I'm bitter at all!
Final score: TYM 2 - 0 AFC Burghfield
YM Promoted to Reading Sunday League Senior Division
