Paul Hughes’ totally new look Hayes & Yeading side opened the new campaign with a hard fought point from a
1-1 draw at the SKYex against an Aylesbury side managed by former Yeading man Davis Haule.

Not unsurprisingly for the first game of the season, it took some time for anything resembling a chance to come forth and it fell to the home side. Manny Duku collecting the ball inside the box on the left side, his centre was dragged down by Ismael Ehui who turned his marker only to see his shot blocked six yards from goal by a well-timed interception from Aylesbury skipper Jordan Jenkins.

United went close three minutes later when a Matt Stockill corner picked out Harly Wise at the far post, the defender heading just wide at full stretch.

On the half hour mark United nearly fell foul of their own error when Aston Goss intercepted Frankie Jones’s pass on the edge of the United box, he moved inside and from the left corner hit a low drive that Jack Smith held securely at the foot of his post.

Smith again came to United’s rescue just before the break as Jeanmal Prosper sent Ty Deacon through on goal, the United stopper quickly off his line to block the shot away to safety.

United made a half time change which saw the introduction of talented 18 year-old midfielder Omar Daidouh in place of Stockill. Seven minutes after arriving in the Fray, Daidouh collected a pass from Jones, sending the wing-back away with a return pass, Jones’ cross was helped on by defender Jenkins only to be superbly hooked back into the middle from beyond the far stick by Danny Blanchett, giving Ehui a simple head home from a few feet out.

Sadly for United the lead lasted just five minutes as Aylesbury hit back with a fine goal of their own, a set piece was only partly cleared as far as Jonny Montgomery who placed a well flighted ball over the United defence where Prosper brought the ball under control and fired past Smith from 8 yards out.

The final half hour saw possession moving back and forth with very little in the way of noteworthy efforts coming, the best fell to the visitors in the final five minutes as Prosper broke towards the United goal before unleashing a 25 yard effort that flew across Smith’s goal and wide of the far post.

Report by Kevin Watts.

Photos by Brian Matthews.

United Man of the Match: Spyros Mentis.

Print the Teamsheet: Here.