United blow away Hartley Wintney with five-star first-half passing masterclass

HAYES & YEADING’S slick passing game helped them climb to the top half of the Southern League Premier South table thanks to a 5-1 away win at Hartley Wintney.

A goal from Omar Rowe and a brace apiece from Hassan Jalloh and Elliot Buchanan sent United 5-0 up at half-time before a more even second half.

Boss Paul Hughes was undeniably proud, saying: “A few people were telling me before the game that the pitch wouldn’t suit us and we’d struggle to play our football.

“To answer that, I’d say the firsthalf was one of the best footballing displays we’ve put in since I’ve been here. The lads made a very bobbly pitch look very flat with the accuracy of their passing and the quality of their technique. I was impressed with us in that opening 45 minutes.

“That first-half is now a benchmark for us. When we move the ball that quickly and make forward runs with purpose then we will destroy teams this season.

“Hartley are a good team. They’re always well organised and physically strong, but they couldn’t handle us.”

The goals were the highlight and

Hughes added: “Our finishing was of a very high standard. The other chances we created were all met with good efforts on goal so it really was a good day in terms of showcasing our quality.

“The top half of this table are now looking behind their backs because we’re on a good run of form and have games in hand on all of them except one. It’s a very healthy position we find ourselves in, both on and off the pitch, and it’s one we’d have grabbed with both hands if offered it before the season began.

“As good as we were first half, we were very average in the second. We challenged the players at half-time to be ruthless and to keep the tempo and keep doing the things that had taken them into a five-goal lead.

“It takes discipline, concentration and self belief to maintain these standards and we definitely fell short in the second period, but it can’t take away from the result and the quality of the play we witnessed in the first half.”

United go in search of more points at home to Truro City on Saturday and then away at Walton Casuals on Tuesday December 17.