Hayes & Yeading snapped a three match losing streak as Marlow were put to the sword at the SKYex by Paul Hughes’ side with United banking three points courtesy of a 3-0 victory. It could however have been a wider division but for some wayward finishing and a fine performance between the sticks for the visitors by former United under-18s ‘keeper Simon Grant.

United fielded newly signed midfielder Laste Dombaxe in the starting line-up which also saw recalls for Darnell Shakes and Keano Robinson while impressive Under 18s skipper Jack Roper took a place on the United bench.

United were quickly out of the blocks and almost broke the deadlock after just 29 seconds. A long clearance from defence saw Manny Duku race clear of the defence, Grant came out to narrow the angle but Duku played the ball past his dive only for it to swing inches wide of the far post.

Possession was shared somewhat for the next fifteen minutes with neither defence being troubled and then in the 19th minute a ball up to Duku saw the top scorer turn his marker in the box his shot from an angle was pushed wide by Grant although had he seen the unmarked Ismael Ehui in the centre, a pull back would have presented his strike partner with a tap in. The resultant corner was played through to the far post where Komal Llewellyn-Reid’s close range effort was blocked on the line by Kelvin Bossman.

Grant was again needed to keep the visitors level on the half hour mark as Darnell Shakes fed the ball to Duku, he again turned past his marker and fired goalwards but once again Grant was in the way as the stopper blocked the shot away.

The visitors first shot of any note came a couple of minutes later, Chris Ovenden received a quick throw on the right and advanced into the United box, his drive being deflected wide by an well timed Llewellyn-Reid tackle.

Five minutes later a sweeping United move saw the deadlock broken. Ehui found Scott Donnelly who in turn sent Toby Little away from his left wing-back slot, the United man’s touch and cross finding Ehui who had continued his run, the United striker diving to head home his seventh of the campaign.

Within minutes Ehui was a whisker form adding another, again Donnelly was the catalyst as his past set up Ehui, the striker’s shot going just wide of the target from 18 yards out.

The fourth minute of stoppage time brought another opening for Marlow skipper Ovenden, his effort from the edge of the United box flying over the top as referee Forrester brought proceedings to a halt for the half-time break.

As with the first 45, United were quickly off and running as in just the second minute of the half Ehui sent Donnelly into the box on the right side, his low driven cross evading everybody as it flew across the Marlow 6 yard box and out of play.

52 minutes had been played when the visitors went as near as they had come thus far to scoring, Ovenden’s cross from the left being flicked towards goal by Kelvin Bossman with the ball dropping wide of the post although Jack Smith appeared to confidently have it covered.

Marlow were attacking again soon after as a sweeping move upfield saw Kelvin Bossman play in Jordace Holder-Spooner, the Marlow substitute being denied by a very well timed Priestly Farquharson tackle.

Just before the hour mark Ehui was involved in a dangerous attack once more, the striker exchanging passes with Laste Dombaxe before curling a low shot that beat Grant but sadly beat the post as well and went out for a goal-kick.

Minutes later the crowd were party to the “charge of the Ola” as United midfielder Ola Olajubu ploughed his way through countless tackles before getting into the Marlow box and as tackle six came in he stumbled at the critical moment and jabbed the ball weakly straight to Grant when his efforts deserved so much more.

The final twenty minutes arrived and within four minutes United were pretty much out of sight in this one, scoring twice in a three minute spell. Duku had the first chance as he was played through and despite rounding Grant he went too wide, he did however have the presence of mind to pull the ball back to Dombaxe who saw his effort held by Grant.

It was less than a minute later though when Duku was sent through again, this time he let the ball bounce into his path and slid the ball under Grant to double the United lead and take his tally to fourteen for the season, 11 behind Josh Scott’s record of 25 in season 2008/09.

Two minutes later it was thank you and goodnight as United scored again, Shakes played the ball wide to Ehui, he cut it back to Donnelly who struck the ball first time and sent it flying at pace into the back of Grant’s net to give the hosts a deserved 3-0 lead.

Chances for United came and went after this as the visitors started to wilt. Shakes’ blocked shot fell nicely to Little who was denied by the diving Grant before Little himself chipped the ball over the defence to Donnelly who was inches too high on the volley.

Final chance of the game came with two minutes remaining, substitute Luke Joyce-Dwarika ran at the left corner of the Marlow box, his low drive beating Grant but as with a few others earlier, the ball went just the wrong side of the post.

The three points earned as Mr Forrester ended the game saw United move back up into the play-off places at 6th but there is still just over half the season to play so anything can happen going forwards, we are however better placed than the club have been for a long time as Christmas approaches, onwards and upwards.

Report by Kevin Watts.

Photos by Ray Peploe.

United Man of the Match: Ismael Ehui.

Print the Teamsheet: Here.