Hayes & Yeading earned three points at a freezing cold SKYex on Saturday afternoon courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Dorset visitors Wimborne Town.
With players returning to fitness it was a changed starting XI from that narrowly beaten at Salisbury a week previous with Liam McDevitt, Afolabi Coker and Jake Sheppard all returning from injury.
United were first to worry the opposition defence when Ogo Obi worked his way past Paddy Hester on the left side, the striker's deep cross just evading the arriving James Clark at the far post.
Just two minutes later United went even closer when Aaron McCreadie spread the ball left to Obi, he fed Clark who touched the ball off to Scott Donnelly and his curling shot from 20 yards came back off the crossbar with Magpies 'keeper Cameron Plain well beaten.
With United very much on the front foot another creative forward move in the 18th minute saw Elliott Buchanan pick out Jake Sheppard who ran at the visitors box before unleashing a 20 yard drive that Plain did well to push out to Buchanan who saw his follow-up shot also blocked but the flag had been raised for offside in the second phase.
Within a minute the Magpies had their first sight of the United goal when Sam Bayston outpaced Sheppard to a through ball, he was however driven wide and when he chipped the ball back across goal Jack Williams was on hand to clear the danger.
It was ten minutes from the break when the deadlock was finally broken by United. 18 year-old Oxford United loaned McCreadie clipped the ball over the Magpies defence to Buchanan, the veteran striker chesting the ball down before cracking a volley into the bottom corner.
Just three minutes later United were given a golden chance to net a second. Obi collected on the right side, raced past his marker before crossing to McCreadie from the bye-line, the United midfielder being bundled over as he rose to meet the cross leaving referee Ellsmore to point to the spot. Obi stepped up only to be denied by a good save by Plain diving to his left.
Stoppage time almost saw a spectacular Sheppard strike, the wing-back receiving a Clark knock down before trying his luck from 45 yards on the touchline, his half volley being tipped over by a back-pedalling Plain and the half closed out at 1-0 to the hosts.
The first opening of the second half went the way of the visitors after just two minutes, a neat interchange on the left between Bayston and Luke Burbidge led to the ball being played square to Tony Lee but his shot was quickly charged down by United skipper Liam McDevitt.
Only two further minutes had been played when United doubled the lead. Sheppard found Obi on the right side, his deep centre from the goal line being set back by Jack Williams to McCreadie who thumped the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the box giving Plain no chance.
With United now two goals to the good the game disappeared into itself for fully twenty minutes with neither 'keeper being troubled in this passage of play.
Twenty minutes from time United denied themselves a third, Donnelly picked out substitute Omar Rowe, he pulled the ball back perfectly to Buchanan who saw his goal bound drive smash into the head of Clark who required on pitch treatment before resuming.
Minutes later Donnelly collected from McCreadie after the youngster had regained possession in the middle of the park, he then exchanged passes with Rowe before firing over the Magpies goal.
On 76 minutes United did have three though, Sheppard sent Williams away down the left, he outpaced the visitors defence only for his driven cross to be blocked by a defenders raised arm which led to a second spot kick being awarded to the home side. This time Donnelly stepped up and beat Plain, sending the stopper the wrong way from 12 yards.
A chance apiece came in stoppage time. Two United substitutes combined as Johnville Renee found Rowe, the tricky midfielder moving into the box only for Plain to hold his shot and then at the other end with virtually the last touch of the game the Magpies earned a consolation as Lee rose highest to powerfully head home a corner.
Report by Kevin Watts.
Photos by Ray Peploe.
United Man of the Match: Aaron McCreadie.
Print the Teamsheet: Here.
