United's under 18 side stretched their lead in the Allied Counties Premier on Monday evening courtesy of a 2-0 victory over a well organised Reading Town side.

A goal in each half sealed it for United but the victory was built on the foundation of a good solid defensive display from the back line with messrs Lindsay and Brianidt solid in the middle while full-backs Webb and McAuley were up and down the pitch all evening.

The first period really belonged to the home side in regards to chances created although the visitors had a fair share of possession they found penetrating the United defence a real struggle. As early as the tenth minute Reading were lucky to survive, Alex Harris won the ball against keeper Ben Coleman and this led to efforts from both Jake Lovell and Dan Mehmet being blocked by last ditch tackles inside the six yard box.

Ashley Barnes had gone close with a 20 yard free-kick and minutes later an Ollie Fayed kick was swung into the middle of the Town area where out of nowhere a defenders hand flapped at the ball leaving referee Bath little choice but to award United a spot kick. Skipper Dominic McAuley stepped up and coolly sent Coleman the wrong way to give United the lead.

Just before the break Nathan Webb played an inch perfect ball through to Lovell but he was denied by a tackle from Dan Jewell. The resultant corner was fumbled by Coleman to substitute Esmond James but his effort was hacked off the line.

The first action of the second half saw James pick up the ball and attack the visitors defence, beating two before firing low past Coleman into the far corner to double the advantage.

A big of a reshuffle from Reading saw the excellent Josh Warren moved back into the midfield from the front line and it was this move that was to see the visitors finally begin to create a few openings. In fact just a minute after James' goal United could easily have been hauled back as Warren's shot from the corner of the area was pushed wide by Matthew Faley.

At the other end, McAuley saw Coleman save at the foot of his post before play switched and Warren sent Josh Hellmore through against Faley only for a superb Lindsay tackle to clear the danger.

With fifteen minutes to play Faley again did well to keep his goal intact as Warren fired a skidding shot from all of 35 yards that the keeper did well to push away from his goal as Hellmore approached. Three minutes remained when a mix up in the centre of the United defence allowed Hellmore to advance but his chipped shot from 30 yards was well caught by Faley.

Report by Kevin Watts.