Hayes & Yeading’s Academy side tasted defeat for the first time this season on Monday evening when following seven consecutive victories they suffered a 4-1 loss to a very good Welling United side in the FA Youth Cup.
Things started off poorly for United when after just six minutes, goalkeeper George Upton could not hold on to a curling shot from the right side of the box which gifted a tap in to Archie Johnson.
United responded well, going close just two minutes later when Ben Slade broke down the right, his centre found Matt Sinclair but his goalbound shot was deflected over by a well timed Jefferson Ocran tackle.
Minutes later the Wings ‘keeper was drawn into action, Matt Marques crossed from the left to Prince Mbengui, his hooked volley being well saved by the diving Charlie Cottrell.
Play soon switched ends and it was Upton keeping the deficit to one as Johnson burst into the box on the left, his centre picked out Stevie Gunner in front of goal, Upton blocked his effort and point blank range with Josiah Benjamin clearing the loose ball as far as Bafor Agangbi who blazed over the top.
United were to be rocked back on their heels around the mid-point of the half when the visitors scored twice in five minutes. The first coming from Johnson who leapt highest to glance a header beyond Upton into the far corner, this was quickly followed by number three as Gunner fired home from the right hand corner of the box.
United still kept trying to push forwards, Slade and Sinclair combined to create an opening for Jack Thomson-Wheeler but his 20 yard drive just cleared the crossbar. On 36 minutes though United were back in the hunt, Charlie Mitchell advanced from full-back and played the ball through to Mbengui who was felled by Mikel Thompson-Martelly with referee Simpson pointing to the spot. Thomson-Wheeler took charge and sent Cottrell the wrong way from 12 yards.
Having just got back in the game, United’s tails were up only for a fourth to be conceded just before the break when Thompson-Martelly rose highest to glance a header into the far corner in almost a replica of goal number two.
Changes to United at the break and during the second half saw the home side have the majority of possession but a solid and resolute Welling back-line kept United well at bay with very few openings coming their way.
One such opening came from a long Upton clearance, Dylan Kearney did well to hold the ball up on the edge of the box before playing in Slade who drew Cottrell before sliding the ball past him only for a covering defender to clear the ball off the line.
Just past the hour an excellent Thomson-Wheeler free-kick found Sinclair but Cottrell was down quickly to block at point blank range.
Two late openings came in the final ten minutes, United skipper Luke Bersey was only just off target with a curling 25 yard free-kick while at the other end only a last minute sliding block from Benjamin denied Teigh Sondufu a shot on goal but it was the Wings night and we wish them well in future rounds of the competition.
Report by Kevin Watts.
United Man of the Match: Prince Mbengui.
