Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South

Saturday 7th January 2023

Beaconsfield Town 5 Hayes and Yeading Utd 2 

Holloways Park  - Attendance 271

Ram of the Match – Elliott Buchanan 

For the second game in a row, Beaconsfield Town surrendered the lead on the stroke of halftime.

On this occasion, Cameron Green's 44th-minute leveler completed United's recovery from a two-goal deficit and as the half went into injury time Hassan Jalloh almost put the visitors ahead. The break came at the perfect time for The Rams but as the two sides trooped off at half-time the visitors looked the likelier winners. Gary Meakin though was able to regroup, settle his charges, change the formation, and the home side never looked back.

The afternoon started about as badly as it could for the visitors who lost Oluwasanmi Odelusi after a seemingly innocuous challenge on the edge of the box after 4 minutes. While he was receiving treatment and the staff waited to see if he would be able to return Hayes went down to Ten men.

They were immediately punished. An ill-advised no-look backpass was collected by Nathan Minhas who advanced into the box. His first effort was well saved by Rhys Byrne, who was quickly off his line, but the rebound fell kindly for Minhas who rammed it home with defenders struggling to cover. 

Byrne almost handed a second goal to his hosts when he whiffed on an attempted clearance under no pressure and was relieved to get just enough of the ball to carry it 6 inches wide of the post. 

At the other end R'avan Constable did well to keep out a Stan Flaherty shot at the base of his post and as Emmanuel hunted the rebound the linesmans flag came to the big keepers aid and the chance was gone. 

Hayes and Yeading enjoyed sustained spells of good controlled possession and played with patience but The Rams defence mostly restricted them to shooting from distance and Constable was relatively untroubled.

The Rams continued to carry a threat on the break particularly down the right flank. Dan Bradshaw operating as the wing back, in the absence of both the suspended Callum Webb and Toby Little, was his usual indefatiguable self. Combining well with Kyel Reid and Nathan Minhas he created several presentable opportunities . Add the trademark running and pressing from Sam Granville and clever unselfish running from Elliott Buchanan and The visitors were at full stretch. Minhas almost added to his tally after he was picked out by Buchanan but his shot was deflected wide.

Buchanan finally extended the lead in the 33rd minute, capping a sweeping counter that involved at least Five Rams, Sam Togwell nicked the ball in midfield and worked it to Granville who drove into the Hayes half and fed Minhas who had pulled to the right wing. His pass picked out Reid whose first time pass found the overlapping Bradshaw who drove to the byeline before pulling the ball back for Buchanan who fired home from just inside the six yard box. 

With only three fit substitutes, Two experienced players suspended, another unavailable and, three centre halves who have barely played a full game for a month the scoreline was hard to fathom. When the wheels fell off in the final 15 minutes it wasn't a complete surprise.

Hayes and Yeading deserved something from the half and it was no real surprise that they got on the scoreboard from a set piece. Nothing complicated, a well delivered rightwing corner landed on the head of Charlie Wassmer Six yards out despite the attentions of three defenders and Constable. The big centre half simply nodded it home past the desperate lunge of Sam Togwell on the line. 

Bouyed by the goal Hayes flew into the attack and The Rams were rocking. Hassan Jalloh was becoming a handful and his combination with Cameron Green retsored parity Four minutes later. The pair exchanged passes on the left flank and Green set off

on a mesmerisingcrossfield dribble leaving broken defenders in his wake before arriving in the opposite corner of the box where he calmly slid his effort wide of Constable and into the bottom corner. 

Moments later Jalloh wriggled through challeges along the bye line before stepping back infield to make space for a low shot which Constable blocked without seemingly knowing too much about it, the rebound rolled invitingly out in front of goal where a combination of Olly Sprague and Myles Anderson.

Half Time 2-2

Gary Meakin withdrew Myles Anderson at half time and reverted to a back four introducing Max Bustamante on the right flank.

leaving only youngsters Kai Allsop and Ben Peters in reserve. 

The Rams restored their lead Three minutes after the break with Hayes seeking to start as they had finished. They poured forward and when Granville stepped in to break up play in the midfield the counter was on and when Bustamante fed Nathan Minhas on the right edge he drew defenders before rolling the ball back to Kyel Reid just inside the box. Reid concentrated on getting a good contact and fired a low effort through a defender and past Byrne. 

The tactical changes at halftime provided more stability in The Rams' midfield and Hayes were not allowed the comfortable possession they had enjoyed in the first half. Beaconsfield sat in, maintained their discipline and relied on Togwell and Granville in destroyer mode in midfield and setting free Reid and Bustamante on either flank and Minhas and Buchanan linking in attack.

Neither side created much in the way of clearcut chances as both defences worked hard but as the half progressed Hayes had to take more risks in search of the equaliser exposing Byrne who was fortunate to not present Nathan Minhas with further goals as he looked decidedly unconvincing in the sweeper-keeper role. 

The visitors continued to press for their third equaliser Flaherty was livley throughout, shooting over before creating a chance for Green who fired over from the edge of the box. They game turned on 83 minutes Emmanuel worked space for a shot and was denied by the post and Adam Liddle's follow-up was blocked away by Keano Robinson.

Three minutes later Nathan Minhas put the game beyond reach. A quick throw in and low cross picked the striker out with his back to goal surrounded by defenders. Not the most promising position but his first touch provided the opportunity for a quick turn and strike which flew past Byrne and into the corner.

Hayes tried to respond but left themselves open and three minutes later Sam Granville released Elliott Buchanan to run forty yards in on goal drop his shoulder and glide past Byrne who may as well not have been there and rolled in number 5. 

Five was probably a little harsh on Hayes but the performance was excellent for The Rams and the win was thoroughly deserved. 

Next up The Rams visit Weston Super Mare next Saturday.

Beaconsfield Town :

Ravan Constable, Dan Bradshaw, Olly Sprague, Luke Neville, Keano Robinson, Sam Togwell©, Sam Granville,[Sub Max Bustamante 46], Nathan Minhas, Elliott Buchanan [Sub Ben Peters 90], Kyel Reid[Sub Kai Allsop 80].

Hayes and Yeading United :

Rhys Byrne, Cole Brown [Sub Paul Field 72], Cameron Green, Oluwasanmi Odelusi [Sub Moses Emmanuel 6], Charlie Wassmer©, Joshua Lelan, Stanley Flaherty, Daniel Green, Taylor Miles [Sub Jamie Hanton 90], Adam Liddle, Hassan Jalloh.

Not used: Amos Nasha Jnr, Luke Brophy.

Officials :

Referee: Alan Cresswell

Assistants - Warren Benjamin - Neo Neoneophyto

 

All images ©2023 Neale Blackburn Photography 

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