Hayes & Yeading’s new look Academy side opened the defence of the Ryman Youth League West title with a resounding 8-1 victory over Hampton & Richmond Borough at Bedfont Sports although the match itself was closer than the scoreline suggests being even and goalless after 43 minutes.
Early openings for United twice fell to Arry Brown who volleyed over a Nat Mensah centre before seeing a 20 yard snapshot saved by Beavers keeper Liam Beach. In between these two efforts for United George Upton had to be quick off his line to smother at the feet of Rimelle Straker who had broken through the United defence.
Kalum Parker Andrews let fly for the visitors only just missing the target before Prince Mbengui threaded the ball to Matt Marques in the box but he delayed his shot allowing Beach to block at his feet.
Beach then did well to deny Mbengui with an outstretched boot after an excellent pass from Jack Thomson-Wheeler had sent his fellow midfielder though on goal. At the other end an effort from range from the impressive Ivan Thompson Cole only just missed the United goal.
The deadlock was finally broken in United’s favour in the 44th minute. A rehearsed short corner routine on the left ended with a centre that Josiah Benjamin rose highest to meet and plant a header into the Beavers net off the inside of the upright despite protests for offside from the visitors.
Within 60 seconds Hampton almost levelled and United scored again. Straker again got away from the last man and having slipped over coming off his line, Upton did well to regain his poise and block the shot with an outstretched leg. United responded immediately as the ball was played upfield to Brown, he fed Mensah who moved in from the left and curled a perfect shot into the far top corner from the edge of the box.
United and Mensah were not finished yet though as deep into stoppage time a Thomson-Wheeler centre was allowed to bounce in the 6 yard box and Mensah prodded home his second.
Only five minutes had been played in the second period when Mensah completed his hat-trick, bursting into the box and firing confidently past Beach.
Kyle Janko for the visitors and United’s Marques both failed to hit the target when well placed before Thomson-Wheeler sent Mensah away again, this time his effort went wide, hitting the side netting of the Beavers goal.
United found number five in the 69th minute when Marques was put through, his attempt to loft the ball over Beach drew a fine parry from the keeper only for United substitute Chris Rose to be first to the ball, heading into a vacant net.
The Beavers got themselves deservedly on the scoresheet with 10 minutes to play as Straker was chipped in by Bradley Silva, and he despatched the ball past United substitute keeper Harvey Stevens.
This seemed to spark a tiring United side back into life as three more strikes pushed the home score to eight. First off the rank was a second for Rose who collected a Marques pass, confidently rounded Beach and fired home left footed.
Two minutes later Mensah grabbed his fourth, prodding home another Marques centre and then with three minutes remaining Rose completed his hat-trick, curling a shot paEEst Beach after a neat exchange with Mensah.
Indeed United could have had a ninth in stoppage time, Beach doing extremely well to tip an Aaron Fetherston curling effort around the post.
Report by Kevin Watts.
United Man of the Match: Nat Mensah.
