First half strikes from Daniel Wishart and Mark Goodman saw Hayes & Yeading to three points against a well organised AFC Wimbledon side at Church Road on Monday evening.

With regular keeper Alex Tokarczyk feeling unwell, the place between the sticks was taken by Rourke Pickford who was called into action after just four minutes when a cross from the right was inadvertently helped on by a defender to Ryan Thomas who struck a volley that the United stopper did well to parry before gathering the loose ball.

Within seconds the ball was up the other end and in the Wombles net. A throughball down the left channel found Wishart who outpaced defender Jamie Warren before rounding Sujit Dadar in the visitors goal and rolling the ball into the vacant net.

Minutes later Wishart was again threatening Dadar’s goal. Good approach play from Dean Worman and Mark Goodman saw the ball played inside from the right to the United striker but his drive was well held by Dadar.

On 15 minutes the Wombles went close when a free-kick on the right saw Ethan Pinnock rise for the ball with Pickford and despite the United keeper appearing to get his fist to the ball a goal kick was awarded as the ball went over the crossbar.

Goodman and Wishart were causing many problems for the Wimbledon defence and a second goal looked to be coming when Wishart slid the ball past Dadar but insufficient pace enabled Jake Hill to collect and clear from within his own six yard box.

Play immediately switched ends and a long punt up field found Jordan Hutchinson who having been forced wide fired a shot across Pickford that went just wide of the far post.

United then began to take control of proceedings as Goodman doubled the home sides’ advantage. Wishart crossed from the left and Goodman did well to get in front of his marker to volley home at the near post giving Dadar no chance.

Minutes after stretching the lead, it looked as if United may have a problem with keeper Pickford who appeared to land awkwardly after seeing off a Wimbledon attack. After several minutes of treatment the young stopper was able to continue, albeit not with full mobility.

The final five minutes of the half saw three good chances come United’s way. Isaac Bonket headed a Bobby Cumber free-kick with of the post while both Worman and Wishart brought saves from Dadar with efforts from range.

The second half sadly was to be nothing like the first for chances as both defences became virtually impenetrable. In fact the first chance of note did not arrive until the 67th minute when Worman moved forwards and tried his luck from 25 yards, Dadar getting the faintest of touches to take the shot wide of goal. The resultant George Isaac corner was nodded down by Worman to substitute Nathan Webb who turned instantly only to see his close range effort deflect wide.

We were into the final ten minutes before the next note hit the book, Worman played the ball to Goodman on the right, his centre was flicked on by Worman but Dadar managed to smother the ball as Isaac arrived from the left side.

The final two chances both fell to the visitors. Harry Bearman hit a fierce drive from 20 yards that was well held by a diving Pickford and then minutes later Jordan Hutchinson put Jack Williamson through on goal, Pickford spread himself well to block the initial effort and then when Williamson returned the ball from the wing Juevan Spencer got his head to the ball but Pickford caught his effort to end the threat.

Report by Kevin Watts. Photos by Ray Peploe.

United Man of the Match: Leo Cunningham.