Hayes & Yeading scored a first home victory since October 11th as troubled Darlington were beaten by the odd goal in five at Kingfield on Tuesday evening.

Proceedings got off to a fantastic start for United as the home side struck twice within the opening six minutes. In just the third minute, Julian Owusu chased a ball to the side of the Quakers area and although it seemed to have got away, he was brought down by on-loan Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford giving referee Mr Amey little option but to point to the spot. Louie Soares then stepped up to thump home his sixteenth of the season, high into the top corner.

One quickly became two as Daniel Wishart nipped in from left-back to win possession from Pickford’s throw out, the United youth team product advancing to the edge of the box before hitting a low drive that beat Pickford low into the far corner.

Darlington’s first effort in anger came a couple of minutes later when James Gray tried his luck with a low skimming shot from 25 yards that Carl Pentney swept up comfortably in the United goal.

Around the 20 minute mark the home side were indebted to Scott Harrison, Pentney’s long punt upfield fell neatly to Soares who was only denied a shot on goal by a superbly timed Harrison tackle.

Immediately the ball was launched forwards by the Quakers and Harrison found James Gray on the left side, his drive across the face of Pentney’s goal going just inches wide of the far stick. Minutes later in similar fashion, Dale Hopson found McReady on the left side, his drive across the face of Pentney’s goal also going just wide of the post.

Two more chances fell to United before the break. A free-kick inches outside the Quakers area saw Tom Cadmore blast the ball into the wall, the rebound falling to Phil Walsh but his shot was easy for Pickford to grasp.

Pickford again came to the visitors rescue a minute before the break. Soares found space on the left and fired the ball low across the area to an arriving Yassin Moutaouakil who saw his first time driven shot blocked out by the Quakers stopper.

Moutaouakil was central to the first goal attempt of the second half just before the hour mark. Adam Rundle’s corner was headed goalwards by Kris Taylor only for United’s former Charlton defender to head the ball off the line with Pentnet seemingly beaten.

True to form in football, from having almost conceded, United added a third just two minutes later when Tom Collins collected the ball in his own half and advanced virtually unopposed up the left side before moving inside and firing a low shot past Pickford into the bottom corner.

Just four minutes later it could have been even better for United as Walsh and Soares played a neat exchange in the area, the former screwing his shot wide from close range.

Ten minutes remained and Pickford was alert to gather a deflected James Folkes shot before a real touch of fortune saw Darlington reduce the arrears. Bowman played the ball left to substitute Jamie Barton, his attempted cross floating over Pentney’s head and in off the far post.

Deep into stoppage time the Quakers added a second goal of great fortune as another substitute Danny Lambert broke away down the right, pulling the ball back to Bowman who saw his shot well saved by Pentney only for the ball to hit the back of Pelé’s leg and go back into the net.

One final note is to wish Darlington all the very best in their efforts to pull things around, we hope to see you again next season.

Report by Kevin Watts

Photos by Ray Peploe

United Man of the Match:
Yassin Moutaouakil

Highlights courtesy of FC Video here.