An own goal in Hayes & Yeading United's favour was enough for the Blue Square South to take the honours in this North v South friendly at the very hospitable and welcoming Solihull Moors FC.

Both sides carved out a very early opening, firstly for United Ollie Fayed, who was replacing the injured Leon Solomon, fired inches wide of the upright and within 60 seconds at the other end striker Darren Middleton overran the ball making the angle too tight and only the side netting was troubled.

Kieran Knight then fired across Danny Crane's goal but wide of the target for United before a clever chip over the defence by Andy Ducross was met by Edwards who could not get his header on target. Skipper for the day Danny Allen-Page was rampant down the right flank and it was his cross that almost presented a chance for Fayed at the far post but the bouncing ball was too high for the wide man.

What was to prove the only goal of the game came nine minutes before the break and not surprisingly the creator was Allen-Page. James Mulley sent the wing-back to the byeline and his cross was met with a perfect diving header by Moors midfielder Junior English who from ten yards out, unfortunately for him, gave Crane no chance.

Much as the first half had, a chance apiece arrived within the first few minutes of the second period. For the home side Edwards found English on the edge of the United area but he could not trouble Preddie, the same result came minutes later at the other end when Staforde Palmer met a Fayed corner but his header was well wide of the target.

English had another chance but his volley was just wide after a route one ball from the back and on the hour United also played a ball over the top from their own half, Fayed took it past the last defender but was denied as Crane did well to block away his effort.

With both sides making several changes it was no surprise that few chances came in the final half hour, in fact just two of note. Fayed crossed deep from the left side and found Marwa at the far post, he controlled the ball and cut into the six yard box only to see his shot charged down and cleared of the line by Lee Collins.

Six minutes of the game remained when Preddie was finally required to keep his goal intact, a loose running ball found its way to Tim Gould who tried to loft it over the advancing United keeper who went full stretch to tip the effort over the crossbar and earn a pre-season closing victory for United.


Report by Kevin Watts.

Photos Ray Peploe.