Phil Babb’s Hayes & Yeading side earned a crucial three points at Kingfield on Saturday afternoon as goals from Pat Cox and skipper Dean Inman saw United see of basement boys Dorchester Town in a game that saw United keep a clean sheet for the fifth time in the last eight games.
It could all have started the wrong way for United as in just the third minute Jack Twyford fired in a low near post cross from the left side that saw Warren Byerley get his toe to in front of Ben Gerring but the ball thankfully went the wrong side of the upright.
Around the ten minute mark Freddie Ladapo was presented with a decent opening after a fine run in from the left by Andrew Musunga that saw the striker receive the ball and having brought it under his control his shot was somewhat wayward.
Ladapo was the next to try to break the deadlock just before the midway mark in the half as he dragged the ball down well on his chest and hit a shot on the turn that almost certainly would have tested Magpies keeper Alan Walker-Harris but for an excellent block tackle from Jake McCarthy that saw off the danger.
Just before the half hour mark an excellent Niall McManus centre from the right looked to be heading for the in-coming head of Pat Cox, the slightest touch from a defender doing enough to force the United striker to glance a header well wide of the target.
In first half stoppage time the United goal was put under pressure by Magpies full-back Ryan Case who danced his way through two challenges into the box before firing across Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz but wide of the far post.
It was past the hour mark when the first noteworthy chance of the second half showed its face and this brought the opening goal of the game. Adam Everitt found United substitute Rashid Yussuff who charged into the visitors area before crossing to Luke Williams who miss-hit his shot with the ball falling thankfully to Cox who stayed composed and fired past Walker-Harris.
The visitors were seemingly deflated by Cox’s goal as they rarely threatened after this as United went on the attack looking for another. Ladapo showed excellent feet to dance along the bye-line before finding Cox who will no doubt think he should have done better as his effort screwed wide.
Ladapo himself was inches away from doubling the lead as he slid in at the far post attempting to connect with an excellent McManus cross that was driven across the six yard box while a minute last Luke Williams was only just the wrong side of the upright with a low shot from the edge of the box.
In the 78th minute United deservedly found goal number two, the first time since early December that Phil Babb’s side had scored more than once in a game. Ben Gerring laid the ball right to Inman who fired home from 10 yards out, possibly with the aid of a small deflection.
The final ten minutes saw little in the way of action at either end although United were most miffed not to be awarded a spot kick when Cox was bundled to the ground on the bye-line, referee Venacott awarding a goal-kick.
Report by Kevin Watts.
United Man of the Match: Matty Harriott.
Print the Teamsheet: Here.
© Jake Smeeton 
