A Mohammed Dikuiza penalty in stoppage time earned Hayes & Yeading United Reserves a draw at Hadley in the latest of their pre-season matches.
United were quick to press their passing game on their hosts as a swift move in midfield led to Jake Lovell crossing and finding Scott Orphanou whose header was straight at Hadley’s keeper.
Then another slick passing move between Yves and Orphanou saw Jake Lovell through on goal but his shot was charged down.
The home side settled and scored on 24 minutes after a throw in was touched on to Bruce Hutchinson who had space to shoot into the bottom corner beyond Simon Grant.
The second 30 minute period took a while to get going but United had the first opportunity when Josh Andrew's crossfield ball found Yves but the wide man fired across the face of goal.
Two minutes later, Abdula Nsubuga threaded the ball through to Lovell but the striker rather fluffed his shot and the home keeper had a rather easy catch.
The afternoon was rather soured moments later when a Hadley defender took exception to Lovell attempting a quick free kick and an argument escalated. The defender punched the United forward in the face and a melee ensued. Dikuiza was also punched and both sets of players and coaches spent some time trying to calm the situation down. The Hadley defender was to play no further part in the game, although the referee did assent to them replacing him with a substitute.
Nathan Webb’s introduction as one of many substitutes for United seemed to tip momentum back in the visitors’ favour. His battling on the edge of the area carved out another chance for Lovell, but the forward scooped the ball over the bar. The FEDO scheme midfielder then combined with Andrew who cut inside to shoot but his effort went just wide.
The third period of 30 minutes was rather disjointed as the playing personnel of both sides were almost entirely changed from the starting line ups, but Paul Yoo did manage to create a chance for Henry Attu who volleyed into the keeper’s hands and Hadley had a free kick which curled wickedly but cleared the crossbar.
Then in stoppage time, to the home side’s frustration, Anton Robinson was tripped by a rash slide tackle in the penalty area and Dikuiza stepped up to coolly slot home the resulting penalty, which was virtually the last kick of the game.
Report by Nick Bell.
|
