HERO CULLEY GETS UNITED BACK ON TRACK
LITTLE LOOMS LARGE AS THE SUPPLIER FOR FIRST TWO
HAYES & Yeading United bounced back in style on Saturday, with a 5-2 win over Moneyfields, courtesy of an hat-trick from Duncan Culley.
It took just five minutes for Culley to bag a brace, the first coming in the second minute after Toby Little found space on the left and crossed for the forward to pounce.
Culley’s second came as Little outpaced Curtis Thorne and sent in another inviting centre.
Moneyfields pulled a goal back when Hayes defender Ryan Kinnane diverted another cross into his own net after 17 minutes but United restored their lead just before half time, Culley turning provider as he chipped a ball through to Manny Duku, who chested home on the goalline.
After 54 minutes, United grabbed their fourth as a defensive mix-up allowed Culley a simple tap-in.
Three minutes later, Duku scored his second – and United’s fifth – as he rose highest to meet Scott Donnelly’s cross and head home past the Moneyfields keeper.
With a four-goal advantage, United took their foot off the pedal and the home side scored in stoppage time, when Sam Pearce smashed home from a corner in the final action of the match.
The result leaves United fifth in the Southern League East Division, firmly in the play-off places as they were set to continue their defence of the Southern League Cup in a quarter-final at home to Marlow last night.
United manager Paul Hughes was a happy man after Saturday’s win.
“The players’ attitude and application was first class against a physically tough team who have a fantastic record at home,” said Hughes.
“The conditions made it very hard to play our football and we had to win our battles throughout the game.
“The team showed, again, that they can win a physical contest as well as play good football. If a football team wants to win consistently then those traits are essential, and that is what excites me about this current group of players. We certainly have character.”