Ibis hit the heights while Mail duo deliver the goods

Published 1 Dec 2009 17:00 0 Comments

HIGHMOOR/Ibis moved to the top of the Senior Division for the first time this season as a superb second half display helped them account for Westwood United 4-1.

It was a fifth straight league win for the pre-season title favourites as they took full advantage of the postponement of the game between former leaders Sandhurst Devels and Mortimer.

Aaron Baker put the home side in front 25 minutes in, but Westwood's Ryan Adams drew his side level four minutes before the break when he netted his eighth goal of the campaign.

But, just as in the previous week's 5-1 success over Mortimer, Highmoor's second half strength proved crucial as they secured the points with a three-goal burst in the space of 15 minutes.

Justin Forde-Small got the goal on the hour mark to put Highmoor back ahead, before Shane Small-King bagged the crucial third eight minutes later with his sixth goal of the season.

And it was left to substitute Jason Bates to wrap things up 15 minutes from time as he made it 4-1.

Westwood's cause was not helped when Michael Gibson was dismissed for a second bookable offence, as his side went down to their first defeat in five games.

COOKHAM Dean slumped to a fifth defeat in six games as poor finishing consigned them to a 2-1 at the hands of Theale Royal Mail.

All the goals came in the first half as Mail were able to hang on to secure their first back-to-back wins of the season, and move level on points with their hosts.

Cookham were quick out of the blocks and Ryan Jones and Sean Gavagan both went close in the opening stages.

However, it was Mail who went ahead against the run of play 20 minutes in, when Graham Sims cracked home a superb free-kick from 30 yards out.

The home side's response was instant and they equalised when Dave Saunders seized on Gavagan's flick-on and played in Dean Knight, whose deflected shot found the corner of the net.

But Mail re-established their lead before the break, Dwayne Winters sliding in at the far post to turn the ball home with the aid of a deflection that left Cookham keeper James Clarke helpless.

Gavagan nearly pulled Dean level again before half-time only to head Chris Ellis' long throw over the bar.

The second period saw Dean dictate long passages of play, but they grew increasingly frustrated as chances came and went.

Jones and Scott Allen both went close before Gavagan saw another header finish up in the keeper's arms.

And when Ellis saw his well-struck free-kick blocked by the visitors' committed defence late on, it proved enough for Mail to celebrate just their second league win of the season.

See this week's Reading Chronicle for all the rest of the news from the Reading League, including all the latest tables.

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