Hayes & Yeading’s Southern League Cup campaign ended on Tuesday night after Hendon scored twice in the final 20 minutes to send the game straight to penalties. Paul Hughes made several changes to his side that narrowly beat Salisbury the previous game, which allowed Dylan Switters to make his first start since September after injury.
It was the hosts who started the brightest and could have had the lead almost instantly. Andrew McCorkell’s clearance was charged down by Hendon forward Connor Calcutt, however the United goalkeeper for the evening would have been relieved to see the ball go wide.
Just moments later, Hendon again went close to taking the lead as Reece Mitchell’s effort needed saving by McCorkell.
During the early exchanges, United failed to gain any momentum which allowed Hendon to create chances. Firstly, Mitchell failed to hit the target from close range following a long throw from Luke Tingey into the penalty area. Just after, Shaun Lucien shrugged off the challenge from Afolabi Coker to advance onto goal, but his shot dragged wide.
With just under half an hour played, United came close to gaining the lead. Ogo Obi threaded the ball perfectly to Toby Little – who saw his shot saved. The ball rebounded to Joe Grant but couldn’t generate enough power to beat Dante Baptiste in the Hendon goal.
Just five minutes later, United took the lead slightly against the run of play. Obi found space on the edge of the Hendon’s penalty area and curled the ball unchallenged into the top left corner.
Minutes before the half time break, United doubled their lead. Obi’s cross from the right was met by the head of Grant, before the ball hitting Little and rolling into the net.
The second half started just like the first did, Hendon on top and creating chances with former United midfielder Ryan Hope becoming more influential. It was Hope’s run and link up play with Mitchell which created the first chance of the second half, but his effort was deflected and comfortably claimed by McCorkell.
McCorkell was called upon again as he produced an excellent double save to ensure United preserved their two-goal lead. First, an Isaac Galliford effort was saved, before McCorkell dived at the feet of Lucien to stop the ball going past him.
Elliott Buchanan came close to extending United’s lead on the hour mark as Hendon failed to clear a free-kick which allowed Buchanan to strike first time, but his effort was blasted over.
Hendon’s persistence paid off with just over twenty minutes to go. Tingey jumping highest to direct his header past McCorkell following a corner from Lucien.
Spurred on by their goal, Hendon continued to attack the United defence and came close to scoring an equaliser. Buchanan lost possession of the ball which allowed Tahjae Anderson to cross for Lucien, his first-time pass found Mitchell in space but he fired his shot over.
With just four minutes left to play, Hendon scored a deserved equaliser. Corey Panter advanced from his own half towards United’s goal and unleashed an effort from 25 yards that flew past McCorkell into the bottom left hand corner. This meant that the game went to a penalty shootout that was won by the home side.
Report by Taz Phalora.
United Man of the Match: Keano Robinson.
