Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Reynolds fires side to semis
HAYES & Yeading United must turn their nomadic status into a positive, according to manager Paul Hughes.
The club has confirmed the safety certificate needed to return to the Skyex Stadium is still in the application process and it could be six weeks before they can move back in.
Hughes, though, is no stranger to footballing adversity, having battled through administration at Luton as a player.
He says United are close to a solid foundation but in the meantime must use obstacles in their path as extra motivation.
“Sometimes these situations NIAMH Reynolds’ heroics had Denham Ladies under-15s scenting silverware this week.
Midfielder Reynolds made up for the absence of other regulars as her four goals carried Denham to the league cup semi-finals at the expense of Harvesters FC.
Amy Holdcroft hit two and there was one for Tilly Wilson in a can have an adverse effect, but my time at Luton tells me they can be a positive too,” said Hughes. “During the second period of administration at Luton none of us were getting paid but we were all in it together. We came through and won League One the following season.
“It’s toughest really for the fans to come through this transitional stage because what they want is to be at home winning games and be top of the league.
“Everybody is working hard because they know the value of having a home when you can start making money rather than forking out for someone else’s pitch. We are developing a solid foundation and getting home will be a springboard for the club.”
There was further frustration 7-1 win which stretched United’s unbeaten run to 12 matches.
The U14s’ cup dreams ended in a thrilling 4-3 Herts League Cup loss to Ruislip Rangers despite goals for Merreisha Waul, Maddie Kirkby and Melissa Asavoaie.
The U16s had a comfortable 4-0 at United’s temporary home at Beaconsfield SYCOB on Sunday when they were held to a goalless draw by fellow strugglers Cambridge City. A failure to score was again the problem for United, who face another crunch game at Holloways Park on Sunday, against basement boys Cinderford, and Hughes admitted he is in the market for a striker.
“We are looking to bring forwards in and have made enquiries but at this stage of the season, with their teams in the top six or seven, they are happy to stay where they are,” said Hughes. “With better technique, we would have had more shots on target so that needs to improve. We need something out of nothing for our confidence.
“But we moved up a place with the point and Cinderford win over Rushmoor Saints. Julia Thurauf, Claire Weiner, Alketa Rragami and Jessica Stickley were on target and Katie Riddington was player of the match.
Jess Poulton, Phoebe Smith Ruby Brown and Evie Perkis all scored as the U11 Pumas beat gives us a chance to move out of the bottom four with games in hand over Cirencester so it is moving in the right direction.”
Elsewhere, Andrew Harewood and sub Benjamin Aghadiuno each hit four as Hillingdon Borough hammered Hadley Wood & Wingate 12-0 in Spartan South Midlands Division One. Andrew Burton hit two with Tashan Jordan and Lucas Williams also netting.
Second-half strikes from Dan McDonnell and Sekani McCalmon saw AFC Hayes win 2-0 at Colliers Wood United in the Combined Counties Premier,
Matty Woods and Ade Eisa scored along with an own goal as Uxbridge won 3-0 at Arlesey Town in Southern One Central, but Northwood went down 2-1 at Aylesbury United, despite a Gradi Milenge goal. Barnet Nightingales and the U11 Wildcats beat Kew Park Rangers.
United’s first XI lost 3-2 to Luton and the reserves lost 5-1 to Lewes. Mia Almnedros hit her 10th of the season as the U13s lost 3-1 to Borehamwood and the U12s lost 4-0 to Pro Direct.