HAYES COME UNSTUCK IN DUNSTABLE DEFEAT
DUNSTABLE BRING WINNING RUN TO SHUDDERING HALT
HAYES & Yeading United’s unbeaten run came to an end as Dunstable claimed a 2-0 win at the Skyex Community Stadium.
Visiting goalkeeper Jamie Head gave a man-of-the-match performance for Dunstable to deny a United side who had smashed in nine against Arlesey Town the previous week.
Hayes manager Paul Hughes cut a frustrated figure.
He said: “We certainly had four or five good goalscoring opportunities in the first half, but took none.
“In recent weeks, we have found a good rhythm and we are generally in charge of games. When we are in the driving seat we need to convert that pressure into goals.
“Their delivery from set-pieces was good and the first corner we conceded ended up in the net. That summed the first half up. The second half presented us with opportunities but their keeper was in excellent form on the day and he kept us a bay a number of times.
“It was always going to be a tough game and our performance was at a good level but the standards we’ve set in front of goal need to be met week in, week out. If we have an off day in front of goal we need to shut the opposition out at the very least.”
Head’s first save of the afternoon came as Scott Donnelly’s free-kick was flicked on to Tom Smith but the United skipper’s volley was superbly kept out.
Despite Hayes hoging possession, Bernie Christie gave the visitors the lead from close range after United failed to deal with a corner.
Head made two more smart saves from Toby Little before half time, the first a superb reaction stop from close range.
Hayes started the second half as they finished the first, Head making another save from Little as Dunstable posed a counter-attacking threat through Christie.
With ten minutes remaining, Christie scored his second of the afternoon and delivered the killer blow as he lost his marker to fire home from inside the box and confirm United’s defeat, after a run of seven straight wins.
The result means Hayes sit fifth in the Southern League East division, and next travel to Moneyfields on Saturday.