Hayes and Yeading United's all conquering Under 18 side cruised into the first round proper of this seasons FA Youth Cup at the expense of a plucky St. Albans side on a mild evening at the Middlesex stadium.
Tristan Lewis's charges could so easily have been one goal to the good inside the opening sixty seconds, after good work from Dylan Kearney on the left hand flank, the ball found its way to Jack Doyle who just failed to get the required connection to divert the ball into the net.
Six minutes later, the next chance of the game fell to Cole Brown, but although the wide man was well placed, he was unable to convert. Just four minutes later, Matt Sinclair tried his luck from distance, but his effort flew harmlessly over.
Almost immediately, after more good work from Kearney, the striker found himself in a shooting position but Moroney in the visitors goal saved well at the near post. As the twenty minute mark approached, a powerful run from Kearney concluded with a weak shot that sailed harmlessly wide of Moroneys left hand upright.
Halfway through the first period, a cross from Brown on the left, found the head of Kearney and flew inches wide. 26 minutes had elapsed when Oren Swales gave the visitors their first noteworthy effort on goal, a shot that flew wide of Hugo Sobte's right hand post.
Shortly after the half hour mark, a through ball from defence found Brown in space, he collected the ball in his stride, outpaced the covering defender but shot wide of the target. Both sides continued to trade chances as the half reached its conclusion, and then on 44 minutes, a Jack Doyle cross from the right hand touchline found Cole Brown eight yards from goal, who finished with aplomb to give United a well deserved half time lead.
The second period began in much the same vein. Six minutes into the half, United were awarded a free kick, but Kearneys effort failed to trouble Moroney in the visitors goal. Just over an hour had passed when Swales unleashed a speculative effort from 25 yards giving Sobte no chance and pulling the young Saints level.
This seemed to spur on United, as only three minutes later, a corner from the right found the head of Colin Mugoya who rose like a phoenix at the far post to powerfully head home to restore the lead for the home side.
United continued to dominate poceedings as more and more chances continued to go begging. 15 minutes remained when United centre back James Smith hit an audacious 30 yard effort that screamed just wide of the goal frame.
Just nine minutes were left on the clock when a Matt Sinclair effort from 20 yards found it's way into the bottom corner of the net to extend the lead. As the visitors tired, there was still time for the obligatory Dylan Kearney goal to put the gloss on another fine United performance.
So, onto the Abbey Stadium to tackle League Two Cambridge Utd in the 1st round proper on a date yet to be confirmed.
Report by Mick Nile.
