Hughes happy with point in tough start to the season

HAYES & Yeading started the Southern League Premier South season with a 1-1 draw at home to Taunton Town on Saturday.

Having retained the majority of last term’s squad with a few additions and returning faces, United’s fans were treated to a competitive game of football in the sunshine.

Manager Paul Hughes was certainly upbeat following the 1-1 draw secured by a late free kick equaliser from Omar Rowe.

“We have been dealt a very challenging start to the season in terms of our fixtures and a couple of key players with injuries, but all teams will have something to complain about, so I think it’s worth focussing on what’s working for us right now,” Hughes said.

“Our doggedness and our ability to play the full 95 minutes with belief and conviction is a real strength to this group. I was very happy with our second half display because it had those qualities.

“We were well worth the equaliser and with a bit more quality in the final third I think we could’ve got all three points. Having said that, their front two were always a threat and they’ll be a handful for any team this season, so a point is not a bad result at all. They were a good team.

“I’m pleased the new players are settling in very quickly and they have strong characters, which is what we need if we want to be successful this season.

“Overall, the second-half display has left me feeling good about the game and if we can pin the better teams in this league back for 45 minutes then that’s a good gauge of what we can achieve this year.

“Our quality in that final third in terms of decision making and getting our shots on target are things we can improve on, but i believe that will come.

“We certainly have that ability throughout the squad,” he added.