Hayes & Yeading United showed some of the mental strength that Garry often talks about this afternoon overcoming a goal deficit and the early loss to injury of both keeper Delroy Preddie and full-back Danny Allen-Page while Matt Ruby played for an hour looking more like Rambo.

United started brightly and with just three minutes played Allen-Page crossed from the right side, Beavers keeper Matt Lovett spilled the ball but with the help of a defender scrambled it clear as Ram Marwa slid in. With the home side not really creating much it was United who again went close on 15 minutes when a looping cross from Esmond James was met on the volley at the far post by Josh Scott but he could not hit the target.

Three minutes later and somewhat against the run of play the home side took the lead when John Scarborough rose highest to power home a Stephen Cooke free-kick.

United then suffered a double blow within a six minute spell that saw Preddie pull something as he took a goal kick, he was replaced by debutant Aaron Howe and then a clash of heads between Allen-Page and teammate Ruby saw the right-back depart with what was almost certainly a broken nose while Ruby continued after lengthy treatment and heavy bandaging.

The stoppage and enforced changes must have given United a real boost as just five minutes later we were level. Neil Martin played the ball down the left flank and although it looked too heavy Scott chased at full speed and crossed superbly to the far post where the arriving Marwa forced it home via a slight deflection (pictured right).

The second half was to prove more entertaining and after just four minutes Marwa gave us a preview of what was to come when a James Mulley throw was only partially cleared to him but his overhead effort was caught by Lovett. Less than a minute later Mulley was perfectly positioned at the other end when a quick free-kick from Cooke was headed back across goal to the waiting Ian Hodges but Mulley was sharp enough to spot the danger and head clear.

Just after the hour mark and Mulley turned creator as he played a neat interchange with James before racing into the area between Robbie Kember and Stuart Lake where he was sent tumbling and referee Mr Child duly pointed to the spot. As he had done nine days earlier Josh Scott stepped up and gave the keeper no chance from 12 yards.

United continued to press for a third, Scott was presented with the ball by a defender in his own area but his low centre was intercepted by Ryan Lake before James could prod it home. Minutes later we went even closer when another Scott cross was met powerfully by Will Hendry only for Lovett to save at point blank range and Scarborough scrambled it clear for a corner. The kick was too deep but chased by Ruby who recovered the ball and fired to the far post where Tom Cadmore headed it back and Marwa with his back to goal scored a superb overhead kick (pictured right).

United were made to feel the jitters with four minutes remaining when a Kember free-kick was headed back across goal and fired home from six yards by substitute Ben Wright. The Beavers did only have one real chance to pull off the recovery but Wright blasted high over the bar when well placed in stoppage time.

Report by Kevin Watts. Photos by Ray Peploe.

Website United Man of the Match: Ram Marwa.