UNITED KEEP UP THEIR 100% HOME RECORD
SINGLE GOAL ENOUGH TO PUT UNITED 15 POINTS CLEAR AT TOP
HAYES & YEADING moved 15 points clear at the top of the Isthmian League South Central Division with a 1-0 win at home to Cheshunt.
Duncan Culley’s goal in the first half was enough for the league leaders to maintain their 100% league home record.
They are the only club still with a 100% home win success – which is all 12 league matches so far – across all of the top eight levels of football in England.
With 98 League goals they are also well clear as the leading league scorers across the same 18 divisions.
It was not the best of displays, but Paul Hughes was pleased with the result, saying: “It was a tough game because we played a very physical side who had something to prove.
“They were direct and fought for every ball and we had to match that first and foremost. I felt we did and I’m happy with how we dealt with their aerial threat throughout the game.
“Inevitably when you have a huge centre forward like theirs, he will win flick-ons and cause problems and they got in a couple of times due to that which I wasn’t happy with.
“The basics of football are to make that first header a difficult one to win and then mop up second balls and track runners.
“Our lads learn on their feet and they soon got to grips with what was required and we dealt with that threat relatively comfortably.”
Hayes are a slick-passing team and Hughes added: “Our football meant we created some very good chances in both halves, especially the first and we should’ve gone in at half-time at least two goals to the good, possibly three.
“On another day we would have taken those chances, but when you do miss them it gives the opposition a chance because they stay in the game.
“This nearly cost us towards the end as I felt they had a very good chance to equalise, which they didn’t take. Fortunately enough for us we maintained our 100% record due to that.
“Overall we more than deserved the victory.
“Credit to Cheshunt for making a very tough game of it and credit to us for withstanding their approach and managing to come out on top. We have shown we can win ugly and win emphatically.
“All wins are welcome as each time we notch three points it puts tremendous pressure on the chasing pack behind us. We’ll just keep taking each game as it comes.
“I’m really proud of the consistency the players have shown throughout the season, but it isn’t easy to keep picking up results when you’re top of the pile because everyone wants your scalp.
“Our home record is something other teams will certainly want to stop. Let’s see if we can maintain it to the end. That will be a huge achievement if we can.”
A trip to bottom club Egham Town is next for United.