With a big FA Trophy tie on Saturday, an under strength Hayes & Yeading side were beaten 2-0 in the Alan Turvey Trophy sponsored by Velocity on a cold and wet Tuesday evening at Bostik Premier side Folkestone Invicta.

United’s back-up stopper Luke Daley was first called into action on twelve minutes when a Kieron McCann cross from the left side was flicked goalwards by Ian Draycott, Daley holding the slippery ball comfortably.

Minutes later United’s first sight of goal came as a Toby Little corner kick was inadvertently flicked on to Ola Olajubu by a home defender, the United midfielder controlling the ball nicely but his shot was to go wide of the Folkestone net without causing any panic to ‘keeper Tim Roberts.

A five minute spell for the home side just after the half hour mark saw Daley required on more than one occasion to keep the scores level. Ade Yusuff found McCann inside the United box, Roddy Collins forced the home winger wide but he still managed to get in a shot that Daley dealt with easily.

Next came via a long punt forwards by Roberts that was flicked on to McCann who raced into the United box only to be denied by a well timed slide from Daley that saw the United stopper snatch the ball from the home players feet. Within a minute Daley was needed again as this time Alfie Paxman burst into the United box only for his shot to be pushed wide by the diving Daley. The resultant corner was met in the middle by home skipper Callum Davies, forcing yet another save from Daley who conceded another corner. Davies again got his head to this one but was wide of the target.

As the final minute of the half arrived it was still Daley keeping the home at bay. Yusuff turned his marker in the United box but Daley was quickly down at his feet to gather the ball on the wet surface and then in stoppage time Daley again denied the home striker, this time sweeping up his low skiddy drive and the two sides went in level at the break.

Sadly for United it took the hosts just 36 seconds after the re-start to break the deadlock, McCann received the ball on the left side and whipped in a cross that Yusuff rose highest to and his header rocketed past Daley.

Just before the hour mark that lead was doubled when a deep Paxman centre was headed back toward the opposite post by Yusuff, presenting Finn O’Mara with a simple tap in.

Before United had another look at the hosts goal McCann had a good chance that he fired wide and then in the 74th minute Tom Jelley broke down the right flank, his centre found United substitute Great Evans but his first time swept effort was just too high to trouble Roberts.

The final two chances of the game both fell to United. Little played the ball left to Keano Robinson, the defender’s first time effort from fully 25 yards forcing Roberts into a save as he pushed the ball wide for a corner that the home side dealt with comfortably.

Two minutes from time a final opening was again created by Little, his centre picking out Lewis Toomey but he couldn’t keep his header down and United departed from the competition.

Report by Kevin Watts.

United Man of the Match: Luke Daley.