Calcot Locomotive 2 - 4 Tilehurst YM
James Williams became the 2nd centre back to notch a hat-trick for Tilehurst YM today as they put together 3 wins on the spin for the first time this season.
Played on the most peculiar pitch in the Reading Sunday League in testing conditions, Tilehurst YM's passing game was always going to be tested, but once again they showed they can win ugly.
The visitors started the livlier of the two teams and went close in the 3rd minute. Some good link up play down the right between the lively Joe Edwards and Ashley Swain led to the latter driving a low cross in to the area where Ryan Maslen found time to take a touch only to fire at a Locomotive defender on the line.
That was only a temporary reprieve though as YM took the lead in the 8th Minute. A deep corner played in to the box by Mark Harding was met by a towering James Williams header to make the score 1-0.
The Locomotive defence were at 6s and 7s throughout the first half and it was poor defending that let YM in for their 2nd in the 35t minute. A long punt by keeper Bobby Buck simply wasn't dealt with and the bouncing ball looped it's way over the keeper and in to the path of Joe Edwards. He did all he could to bottle the opportunity but he just managed to keep his shinned half volley under the cross bar for 2-0.
Richard Godfrey, fresh from 12 pints the day before had several good opportunities during the game with his clever runs and some accurate passing from the tireless YM midfield trio of Harding, Waters and Edwards, but for once his finishing let him down!
LOL!
The 2nd half offered very little entertainment to start off with and Locomotive forced their way back in to the game when they pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 in the 68th minute.
The game looked like it was going to become tight until an inspired substitution saw YM Manager CLOLive ButLOLer bring himself on in the 70th minute. And within 5 minutes YM extended their lead. Mark Harding's corner was again met by the imperious James Williams whose header went in at the far post to make it 3-1 to YM. That was Harding's 11th assist of an incredible season and on top o his 8 goals so far, it again underlined why he's rapidly becoming the most influential Centre Mid in Div 2 West.
Locomotive rallied again in the 85th minute when YM only half cleared a corner to Locomotive livewire Lance (not sure of full name) drove low in to the net from 20 yards to make it 3-2.
YM held on however and added insult to injury for the hosts as in te last minute the ball found it's way to James Williams on the by line and his low shot beat the Loco keeper at the near post for 4-2 right on full time.
Another solid performance from YM who now have their eyes on a top four finish and the chance to play Champions League football next season.
If James Williams and Mark Harding don't both get in the EP team of the week, Matt Gill will eat his under used size 10 football boots!
