DONNELLY MAGIC INSPIRES UNITED VICTORY

A MOMENT of magic from Scott Donnelly saw Hayes & Yeading United return to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Hartley Wintney.

At the SKYex Community Stadium, United started the stronger and almost took the lead in the eighth minute, when Donnelly’s free-kick hit the bar.

United kept up the pressure and got their breakthrough after 22 minutes, when Donnelly’s pass released Manny Duku to chip the Hartley keeper with the ball bundled over the line by Laste Dombaxte.

Visitors Hartley, known as The Row, struck before half time with a free-kick for 2-1 but just before the hour mark, Hayes striker Kaan Fehmi managed to head the ball to Donnelly despite being grounded and the United captain hit a stunning volley into the top corner.

As the clock ticked down, Duku almost scored a third for Hayes after pouncing on a defensive error, but Hartley goalkeeper Paul Strudley saved well.

In stoppage time, Duku did get his goal, the striker’s 28th of the sea- son coming after he turned a defender and fired a shot past Strudley to lift United to fourth in the table.

Hayes & Yeading manager Paul Hughes said: “It was a very solid performance against one of the league’s form teams. What pleased us most was how well we defended and how little we gave away to a very attack-minded Hartley side.

“When we are on our game we are a very dominating side, and I felt that showed. The tempo was high, without the ball we shut them down at pace and in possession we moved the ball quickly and made good decisions.

“We were a very tough team to play against and the result showed that.

“I think that Hartley side are one of the best teams we’ve played this year.

Ahead of last night’s planned trip to Hanwell, Hughes added: “Credit to the players for responding in such a positive and confident way.

“Let’s see if the consistency box can be ticked against Hanwell.”

United’s Scott Donnelly, second from left, celebrates his goal against Hartley Wintney on Saturday