A much changed Hayes and Yeading United line up including no less than five debutants held out for a 0-0 draw against Havant & Waterlooville and in fact might have won what became the archetypal "game of two halves".
The first half was United's and in fact, in the very first minute, they went close as Howard Hall's low centre from the left was controlled by Alex Osborn and laid off the Luke Williams who curled a shot from the edge of the area just wide of the far post with Ryan Young well beaten. They followed this up with Rhys Murrell-Williamson and Michael Malcolm combining well, the latter shooting from long range, but wide and Malcolm had a half chance of his own when he latched onto Howard Hall's long clearance and hooked the ball from a tight angle towards goal, but Young was alert and gathered the ball comfortably.
Havant & Waterlooville responded and Matt Paterson was in a lot of space but elected to shoot early, firing with power, but the ball rose just too high of the target. Back came United, and Jim Fenlon's cross field ball found 
Osborn, who had switched to the left wing and his first time volleyed lay off was perfect for Malcolm in the middle, but Young was able to narrow the angle and catch his attempted dink. Then, Dan Lincoln's clearance was excellently taken down by Murrell-Williamson, who was now operating down the right, and he cut inside and unleashed a dipping 35 yard strike which just didn't dip enough.
United continued to do most of the pressing up until the break. After Malcolm was clipped whilst running through the left channel, Jake Nicholson sent a devilish ball across goal that somehow missed everyone before drifting wide of the far post. At the other end, Paterson tried another snapshot, but from Emmanuel Monthe's pass, he controlled the ball before firing wide. Then, Nic Ciardini found space down the right and hit a rising shot which Lincoln did well to push away diving to his right. United responded as good pressing of the Hawks defence created the turnover of possession which Murrell-Williamson pounced on, sending a low shot inches wide.
After half time, Havant started forcefully and James Hayter sent a looping, spinning shot just wide of the far post from Daniel Blanchett's low centre. Then, from another low Blanchett's centre, Ciardini, turned the ball towards the bottom right corner but Lincoln got down well to tip the ball around the base of his post. From the resulting corner, Brian Dutton's far post shot was blocked and Murrell-Williamson was eventually able to take the ball clear of danger. Ciardini had the next shot, a powerful drive which Lincoln palmed away but quick on the break, Tyrell Miller-Rodney found Murrell-Williamson but his shot was saved comfortably by Young.
Soon afterwards, United lost the impressive Fenlon to injury which caused a defensive reshuffle causing Hall to switch flanks. However, United held firm and in fact, gradually re asserted themselves. It wasn't until the dying stages when the visitors got close again, substitute Harry Medway almost scoring with his first touch, but his first time half volley was gathered in by a diving Lincoln, confirming a share of the spoils and a welcome clean sheet for United, although not the desired victory.
Report by Nick Bell.
Photos by Ray Peploe.
United Man of the Match: Devante McKain.
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Scott Donnelly
