AVERY SEES HOME WITH
ALATE Sam Avery header saw Weston grab a narrow victory over Hayes & Yeading.
Reuben Reid had the game’s first opportunity when he was found in behind by a defence-splitting Jacob Jagger Cane pass and after rounding visiting keeper Simon Grant, his shot toward the near post hit the side-netting as the angle narrowed thanks to Hayes players scrambling back.
Moses Emmanuel’s first opportunity came when latching onto a Paul Field pass, and his cross-shot toward the top corner hit the side-netting.
Taylor Miles then curled a shot wide of the near post from 18 yards after being set by Roger James.
Luke Purnell was called into his first real save by Moses Emmanuel, who then had an effort from inside the area ripple the side-netting after being played in behind by James.
At the other end, Jason Pope had his own opportunity when fed through by Dayle Grubb, but his one-on-one was kept out by the feet of Grant.
Adam Liddle had the final shot of the half, but his 25-yard volley cleared the stand.
In the second half, Avery’s header from a Grubb free-kick was held by Grant after the ball had looped up, before Marlon Jackson fired over at the near post after being played in behind by Pope.
Weston came the closest of either team when a Grubb freekick found Jackson six yards out and his downward diving header struck the base of a post before Hayes could clear.
Hayes substitute Reece Cole had an opportunity from 30 yards after intercepting a stray Weston pass and after turning his man, his shot toward the bottom corner was just past Purnell’s far post.
The Seagulls got their deserved and all-important goal nine minutes before the end when Grubb’s corner found Avery toward the back post and his downward header deflected off a Hayes defender and into the net despite another defender’s vain attempts to clear off the line.
For what little remained of the game, Hayes threw everything at the Seagulls defence but were unable to find a way through.