Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Amartey’s Reds double makes it four wins on the bounce
HUGHES HAPPY WITH VICTORY OVER ATTACK-MINDED YATE
HAYES & YEADING continued their rich vein of form with their fourth win in a row on Saturday at Yate Town thanks to two goals from Francis Amartey.
The result saw Paul Hughes’s side moved up to sixth place in the Southern League Premier South, just one place and a single point outside the play-offs.
It was also another clean sheet for keeper Jack Smith and his defence.
Against an in-form Yate, Hughes was pleased.
“I felt it would be a very tough game because they are a very expansive and attack-minded team,” he said.
“I like the way they play and they’ve given a good beating to some of the teams in the top five here, and I can certainly see why.
“We had to be compact and professional in our approach and I’m really pleased with the way we went about our business.
“We defended simply and caught them on the break regularly, which eventually paid off. Amartey took both his goals very well and he worked hard up there.
“I’m probably more pleased with his work rate than I am with his goals.”
Hughes was impressed with the whole team and added: “Every player gave us an eight or nine out of 10.
“We had no weak links out there. When that happens we are very hard to break down and very strong going forward.
“That’s a great combination to have and that’s why we’ve won our last four games in this league.
“We’re at a stage in the season where pitches aren’t great and the weather isn’t perfect, so we have to roll our sleeves up and work harder than the opposition to get our results.
“I’m really pleased with how well we’ve coped during this period. Those qualities are what you need if you want to win leagues and gain promotions.
“It’s pleasing for the players also. They need to prove to themselves that they have what it takes to sustain a challenge and last the course.
“The more performances like that, the more belief they will have. A lot of teams will come here and come unstuck from now until the end of the season.
“I’m very pleased we came home with the three points and we will take that momentum into our next game against Hendon, who are on a terrific run of form themselves.”
United travel to Hendon on Saturday before hosting Blackfield & Langley on Tuesday February 18.
In National League South, Wealdstone crushed Billericay Town 3-0 as Moses Emmanuel (33) and Ross Lafayette (62, 76) cracked the goals. Dean Brennan’s side have a seven-point advantage over Slough Town at the summit with a game in hand.