Right back for Babb guidance
Ferrell said it was major reason for his return FOOTBALL
LEWIS Ferrell says the key reason he has returned to Hayes & Yeading United for a second spell is to improve his defensive game under the guidance of Phil Babb.
The 23-year-old right back, who can play across the defence and in central midfield, rejoined the club last week after being released by Farnborough and went straight into the United team that grounded out a 2-1 win at Ebbsfleet on Saturday.
And Ferrell says a major reason he had decided to come back was because of Babb and his football knowhow.
He said: “You always want to play for someone with the experience Babb has, playing in the World Cup and the top level of the professional game, I’m always going to learn a lot and being a defender is an added bonus.
Ferrell originally joined United in 2011 aiming to kickstart his career after failing to make it through the Brentford ranks at youth level.
He had spells at Hampton & Richmond Borough, Staines Town and most recently Farnborough, where he captained the Hampshire club before his release.
But he’s now back where he feels wanted – and also where he is known. He added: “I enjoyed my previous spell at the club and with the 3G pitch and the excellent training facilities and a new ground on its way, it always looked the right club to come back to and push myself on forward.
“I quite like the ambition of the club and training is top notch. Putting in the four hours a week part time, week in week out, I don’t think I’ve had that at previous clubs because they simply don’t have the facilities.”
Assistant manager Tristan Lewis believed Ferrell played a massive part in the side’s success over Ebbsfleet that lifted Hayes & Yeading up to seventh in the table.
He said: “Having Lewis back made a massive difference, having Macca [Gary MacDonald] injured is a massive blow but Lewis stepped in with the defensive triangle.
“It was a nerve racking win against a well efficient and organised team but getting three points is fantastic.”
Second-half goals from LouisRae Beadle and Dan Wishart gave Hayes & Yeading victory in Kent and they will be looking to build on that when they host Sutton United on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Hayes & Yeading’s trip to Gosport Borough next Saturday has been postponed because their opponents are in FA Cup action.
Elsewhere, another new-boy was making an impact – this time Connor Calcutt at Wealdstone.
The striker, who joined on a month’s loan from Stevenage on Friday, scored twice as Stones beat Hampton & Richmond 6-0 in the Middlesex Senior Cup second round. Sean Cronin scored a penalty while Wes Parker, Johnny Wright and Joe Turner were also on target as Stones booked a quarter-final spot on Saturday.
Stones host sixth-placed Maidenhead United this weekend in Conference South as they look for their first home league win of the campaign in a bid to climb away from the bottom of the table
But they will do so without striker Michael Malcolm and defender Luke Pigden who were both released this week.
Boss Gordon Bartlett
said: “Neither have done anything wrong but I am in a situation where decisions have to be made over the squad and in the position we find ourselves.” TONY Choules insists appearances can be deceptive with Wayne Carter, writes Tim Street.
The Uxbridge boss admits his skipper is at least a stone overweight, but reckons he can keep playing as long as he wants to.
Carter made his 300th appearance for the club in last week’s FA Trophy replay win over Romford, and clocked up number 301 in Saturday’s 3-1 league defeat to Aylesbury United.
But Choules believes a player who he has taken with him from Northwood to Hendon and Uxbridge could be racking up milestones for years to come.
He said: “It’s a massive achievement and thoroughly deserved. It’s difficult to describe Carts because he is the complete skipper. He’s fantastic in the changing room and conducts himself well off the park.
“Opposition managers always say get on that number six, he’s fat and slow, then come up to me at the end of the game and say that number six is a hell of a player – and he gets that every season.
“He’s a big boy, and to look at him you wouldn’t think he could have played 300 games for anyone, but he’s run marathons for charity and is a very important part of my set up. Father Time is catching up with him though. He wants to be a Steven Gerrard box-to-box type player, but we have to put a parachute behind him and tell him there’s younger players to do that now. If he just sits and orchestrates it he will put another two years on his career.”
Uxbridge will need all of Carter’s experience as they look to negotiate a tricky home tie against Hythe Town in the next round of the Trophy on Saturday, before which they were due to host Egham in Southern League action last night (Tuesday).
Also in Trophy action on Saturday are Northwood, who host Guernsey, and were due to travel to Aylesbury last night following their 4-0 win over St Ives on Saturday.
But AFC Hayes have a weekend off having been knocked out of the Trophy, although they were due to follow Saturday’s 2-2 draw with North Greenford United with a game at Royston last night.
Meanwhile, Harry Newman hit the only goal of the game for Harefield United against London Tigers in the Spartan South Midlands Premier on Saturday, but Hillingdon Borough were held 1-1 at London Colney, despite taking the lead through Mark Chijinda.
Harefield were due to host Hertford in the League Cup last night, then visit Sun Sports in the FA Vase on Saturday, while Hillingdon travel to Biggleswade United in the league on Saturday before welcoming Wodson Park in the Challenge Trophy next Tuesday.