EHUI HEADER LIFTS UNITED UP TO FOURTH PLACE
HAYES’ MEN HOLD OUT AGAINST STRONG THAME
HAYES & Yeading United’s winning run in Southern One East stretched to five games and moved them up to fourth as an Ismael Ehui second-half header was enough to beat inform Thame United at the ASM Stadium. United manager Paul Hayes hailed an “excellent” result and said the visitors’ gameplan worked to a tee. “I felt it was a very credible performance and an excellent result away from home against an in-form Thame side,” said Hayes. “We earmarked Thame’s front two as a real threat, which made our clean sheet that little bit more satisfying.
“We created numerous chances and that quality will put us in good stead for our upcoming matches.”
The first chance fell the way of the visiting United as a knock-down fell to Toby Little, who nudged the ball for the advancing Adam Cash to send a shot looping up and onto the roof of the Thame net.
The first half continued with Hayes dominating as both sides carved out chances.
For the hosts, Lynton Goss burst into the Hayes box on the left and saw his rasping drive held by Kai McKenzie-Lyle. The ball was immediately sent down the other end of the field, with Ehui’s curling drive pushed away by Craig Hill.
The half closed out scoreless but not before Hayes created the best chance of the half, with Manny Duku shooting from a tight angle only to be denied by Hill.
Hayes got off to the perfect start in the second half when a bout of head tennis prefaced a tenth strike of the campaign from Ehui. A deep Cash cross was headed back into the mix by Ryan Kinnane beyond the far post and subsequent headers from Laste Dombaxe and Duku took the ball nearer goal where Ehui pounced to head past Hill from close range.
The final 20 minutes saw the game really open up as tiredness and the need for the hosts to push on saw chances fall to Hayes, Duku fashioning two great chances through on goal only to fire narrowly wide on both occasions.
Thame came back towards the end and a whipped-in cross by Calvin Evans evaded everyone before going past the far post.
A smart save from Hayes keeper McKenzie-Lyle from Dan West at the death saw the visitors hold on.
Hayes were due to visit Egham last night and are at Arlesey Town on Saturday.
Hayes & Yeading Ladies under-18s progressed to the league cup semi finals with an impressive 4-2 victory over Kings Langley.
A hat-trick from Katie Riddington and a goal from Basma El Hafedi sealed the win with Jovana Inic named player of the match.
The ladies are looking to recruit player s aged over 15 – School Year 11. For details, email youth@hyufc.com or visit a Monday training session (from 7pm-8.30pm) at the Sky Ex community stadium on Beaconsfield Road.