‘CLINICAL’ UNITED BREAK INTO THE TOP FOUR
HAYES & Yeading United moved up to fourth in the Southern League Division One East with a 4-0 win over Bedford Town.
After an even opening 20 minutes, United began to take control of the match as a great cross from Adam Cash was met by Manny Duku but his close range effort came back off the bar.
However, just minutes later United took the lead from the penalty spot. Duncan Culley was fouled by James Peters inside the area, and then dusted himself off to smash the resulting penalty home.
Bedford responded well to going behind, as Lee Roach struck an effort that had goalkeeper Danny Boness at full stretch to tip his shot over the bar.
Just as the first half was about to come to an end, United doubled their lead as a neat chipped Donnelly pass found Duku in the box who fired past the goalkeeper for 2-0.
United’s on-loan goalkeeper Boness was on fine form to keep a clean sheet, and as Bedford pushed to come back into the game the stopper made several smart saves including one from David Manu as the striker was through on goal.
However, United dealt the killer blow in the 71st minute. Laste Dombaxe found Donnelly before the former Queens Park Rangers man fired a low drive into the bottom corner for United’s third goal.
United wrapped up the game as substitute Ismael Ehui found space on the right and fired home to send Paul Hughes’ side into fourth place in the table.
Hughes said: “It was a very pleasing result against a team that had won their last five league games and have some very good players.
“Our finishing was very clinical and it was important for us to keep a clean sheet to build our confidence in the defensive aspect of our game. There was some real grit and determination to block shots and stop crosses coming in.
“Overall, we were in charge of the game and that’s credit to the players’ ability to stay focused and keep doing the right things consistently. If we continue to keep those standards then we will be a very difficult team to beat at this level.”
United will have looked to build on this win away to Egham last night (Tuesday) and also travel to top six side Cambridge City on Saturday.