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Ebbsfleet United 0
Hayes & Yeading Utd 0
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Hayes & Yeading came away from league leaders Ebbsfleet United with a very creditable point and a fourth match unbeaten. However the game will mainly be remembered for the issuing of four straight red cards midway through the second period by referee Anthony da Costa, both sides playing out the game with nine men.
The home side, as you would expect from runaway leaders, started positively and an early break down the right by Matt Godden saw him pull the ball back to Stuart Lewis who swept the ball goalwards only to be thwarted by an excellent low one handed grab by United debutant ‘keeper James Hamon.
United’s first opening came when a deep corner found its way to Darren Purse at the far post, he controlled the ball and hit a volley that with a minor deflection off the toe of Brian Van den Bogaert went into the side netting of Brandon Hall’s goal.
The home side were soon going forwards again, Hamon comfortably held a weak Aaron McLean effort before a deep in-swinging cross from Anthony Cook also found McLean at the far post, Hamon diving quickly and bravely at his feet to grab the ball.
For United, Luke Williams and Charlie Kennedy combined to set up a chance for Elliot Benyon, the striker getting two bites at the cherry with both being blocked or partially blocked by the Fleet defence, the ball ending in Halls’ arms.
Early in the second period Cook and McLean combined again, the wide man going past Jordaan Brown before picking out the striker in the middle, his header from 8 yards being pushed out by Hamon and headed away by United skipper Adam Everitt.
A free-kick from the right saw Hamon collect the ball against a strong challenge from Anthony Acheampong and this in turn led to a melee of “pushy-shovey” in the United six yard box. The decision afterwards from referee da Costa was to dismiss Cook and Tom Bonner from Ebbsfleet and Everitt and Emmanuel Monthe for United leaving both sides to play out the game with 9 men.
With play re-started and the pitch coverage looking a little sparse, the home fans thought they had taken the lead when a McLean effort from just inside the box made the net move, thankfully for Garry Haylock’s side the ball had only crashed in to the side netting.
While the home side were having the bulk of possession, a smart move from United almost drew blood. Hamon’s quick throw out to Jim Fenlon allowed the defender to feed the ball to Williams, he advanced to the halfway line before finding Benyon on the edge of the box. United’s top scorer turning his marker and hitting a shot that appeared to leave Hall flat-footed before going inches wide of the far post.
The home side continued to push for the one that would break the deadlock, McLean headed down but safely into Hamon’s grasp and then a well hit Dean Rance effort from the edge of the box was turned wide at the foot of the post by Hamon. The resultant corner picked out Godden who climbed highest but glanced his header across the face and wide of the far post.
Report by Kevin Watts.
United Man of the Match: James Hamon.
Print the next H&YU fixture poster: Here.
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Adam Everitt 
