UNITED GET MONEYFIELDS IN FA CUP DRAW
UNITED PAIRED WITH MONEYFIELDS IN FA CUP DRAW
GOALS from Lewis Toomey and Lee Barney sent Hayes & Yeading United into the second qualifying round as they beat AFC Rushden & Diamonds from the level above convincingly.
A late penalty for the visitors will mean the record books show it tighter than it was, but it mattered little as Paul Hughes’ side made it through to a tie at home to Moneyfields.
Reflecting post-match, the United manager said: “This was a great test for us because they are a higher level team and it gives us a great marker as to where we are at.
“We felt we have started the season well, but playing against a side like AFC Rushden & Diamonds and getting a result like that in the manner we did gives us a lot of confidence in the fact we are doing the right things and can compete and do well against teams at that level.
“I think we dealt with them well.
“Our shape was good throughout the game. Ed Asafu-Adjaye got man of the match and kept their winger very quiet. I think it was testament to our players’ hard work and attitude that other than one chance in the first half, and the rather soft penalty at the end, they didn’t really cause us too many problems.
“Even when Rushden had their own strong spell, the lads stood strong together, very solid, and that has taken a lot of hard work through pre-season, ups and downs, arguments and letting the lads know what we expect from them and that is all part of building a team and that is what I think we have here now – a team that wants to play and wants to win for this club.”
Commenting on the unbeaten start to the season and the next round, Hughes added: “This game was a tough draw but we navigated it. We will be up against a good Moneyfields side because of the stage of the competition, but we are ready for it.
“We wanted anyone at home because I think at home we are very strong, very confident and we have great facilities although you take what you are given.
“You aim to win every game, but to be unbeaten so far is fantastic. We’ve now got to keep those standards up every game and the test for these players is achieving that consistency, because that it is what great teams always have.”
The Moneyfields tie will be on the weekend of September 22/23. That means the scheduled derby with Uxbridge will now be rearranged for a forthcoming midweek spot.
United are back in league action, looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season on Saturday with a trip to Waltham Abbey.