Tilehurst YM continued their great league form against Tilehurst United as they put to bed a run of consecutive cup defeats. A big response was needed from YM and a big response was achieved with the excellent Mark Harding setting the scene.
From the very first kick of the game he showed plenty of desire and skill as he dispossessed a United player and beat his man down the right to whip in a a testing cross which United did well to clear.
The urgency for YM to win possession was matched by the determination to keep the ball as they put together several flowing passing moves, which pulled United apart several times throughout the game.
And it was an early breakthrough from the penalty spot that got YM off the mark. Special(ist) Left Winger Joe Edwards twisted and turned his man on the left edge of the United box before he was tugged down leaving the referee with an easy decision to make.
Mark Harding sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot kick and the rout had begun.
The second came soon after after some neat build up play from the YM midfield. Andy Campbell had a blinder on the right wing and his passing was spot on throughout, which led to a delicate through ball to Michael (Ray Parlour) Buck, whose first time effort sailed in from 18 yards.
Tilehurst United's plight was hampered by them not having a recognised goalkeeper and YM capitalised on this. On 16 minutes, a ball in to the United box came to Buck who turned and fired in a low shot which the keeper fumbled in to his own net for 3-0.
Things went from bad to worse for United on the half hour mark when a Matthew Gill delivery from a free kick wasn't dealt with and the ball landed kindly for Michael Buck again who made no mistake for 4-0.
The home side were granted a lifeline on 40 minutes through a fortuitous penalty decision. The ball was swung to the edge of the YM box where a Untied player had time to fizz in a low shot that bounced up from hapless Matt Gill's foot and on to his hand. United appealed and were rewarded for this when the ref harshly pointed to the spot. Aaron Baverstock stepped up for United and made it 4-1 with a well taken penalty.
HT 4-1.
There was no let off for United in the second half and on the hour mark, the goal of the game came from a sweet bit of play by right back Adam Cole. His lung bursting run down the right and outswinging cross was met on the volley at the near post by the impressive Michael Buck for his 4th and YMs 5th.
United were well beaten and YM extended their lead with a fine strike from Aaron Parfitt. He was allowed to walk through the United midfield and from 25 yards he chipped the United keeper for 6-1.
YMs scoring was complete soon after and a lovely little reverse pass from Darren Dove put YM skipper and Man Of The Match Mark Harding in who poked the ball past the onrushing keeper for 7-1.
There was time for a late consolation for United and with the last kick of the game Aaron Baverstock fired in a 25 yard free kick to make it 7-2.
Tilehurst YM's performance was controlled and their passing game was well rewarded. YM's young team, with an average age of 23, the oldest being 24, was too classy on this occasion for their Tilehurst counterparts.
Adam Cole, Michael Buck and Andy Campbell all had excellent games and YM march onwards and upwards to joint top in Div 1 West.
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