MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: RAPIDS v COOKHAM DEAN
MATCH REPORT
Reading YMCA Rapids 6-0 Cookham Dean
The Rapids continuing their series of midweek games as they aim to catch up with their weather effected season hosted old friends & rivals Cookham Dean at an overcast Cauldron. Thankfully no threat of rain threatened the match and Jamie Froude’s boys were hoping to edge closer to being confirmed champions of Division 2.
Froude made some changes to the starting line up with Saturday’s semi final against Westwood Reserves at the forefront of his mind. First team players Pele Hagger and Andrej Homola on hand to support Jamie on resting top scorer Joel Burton and strike partner Jahmal Robinson.
The Young Men were favourites against the young Cookham team in the last meeting running out 4-0 victors. The game started off in a similar fashion with YM asserting their dominance, this however didn’t put The Dean off their slick passing game, never punting long in hope and admirably trying to play it out from the back whenever the opportunity arose.
The scoring was opened when Tom Clark played a flighted ball over the Cookham left back, he attempted to let the ball run out but Pele Hagger was too quick and too sharp stealing the ball from his possession. Pele approaching the goal at a tight angle ripped the ball past the young Cookham keeper. 1-0 YM
The pressure continued and after some excellent intricate one touch passing Louis Goodchild was deemed to have been fouled in the box after a challenge from behind impeded him taking a shot on goal. Up stepped the penalty king Clark who made no mistake in firing in a low shot under the despairing keeper.
More chances were created but Cookham’s goalkeeper was fighting his hardest to keep the Young Men at bay. After a string of fine saves manager Jamie Froude who was making a cameo appearance upfront found himself in a position wide on the left, rolling back the years he played a high looping ball to the back post where Pele Hagger timed his run to perfection and volleying past the hesitant keeper. 3-0 and a comfortable first half for The Rapids.
The second half continued in the same way, Cookham valiantly trying to play but The Rapids were just too strong and experienced. The fourth came by way of a mistake from the Cookham keeper, whilst trying to retain possession and playing around the back he was hastily pressed by Andrej Homola who was able to block the outward pass from the keeper and bounce it into the empty net. Very harsh on the keeper who had been having a fine game up until that point.
Minutes later Hagger completed his Hatrick by receiving a well weighted clipped ball from Bobby Rees deep in the middle of his own half. Pele timing his run to perfection was through one on one and he rarely fails from here. Coming in on his left foot he expertly passed it into the bottom corner. 5-0 and The Rapids were cruising.
With the game effectively over Froude brought on his rested strikers Robinson & Burton. It was the latter who tormented the Dean back line for the final 20 minutes with his laser focus on already adding to his burgeoning tally this season. Joel was able to get on the scoresheet with probably the best goal of the game. Hagger after competing his trio of goals dropped into left back and played an arrowing high ball to Burton. A good touch left Joel facing up to two defenders, he dipped right and left before shifting onto his left foot from the edge of the box and slamming the ball across the keeper high into the side netting. 6-0
That was the end of the scoring and a really good display from The Champions elect. Now on 47 points closest opposition Burghfield reserves can only match that tally but with The Rapids superior goal difference of plus 30 over their local rivals it would take something momentous to slip up from here. The Rapids next game is a huge semi final in the BTC intermediate cup against Westwood Reserves followed by hosting Burghfield Reserves at The Cauldron on Monday. A point from that game will officially seal the title win and the third promotion in 3 years.