Hayes And Yeading Take Out Cup Frustration - Hayes And Yeading United vs. Northwood

Hayes and Yeading aim for the moon

As I was attending two Scunthorpe United away days in three weekends at AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion, I was keen to get a non league midweek game in. Luckily I was able to do one in London that was also a new ground. After numerous delays Hayes and Yeading moved into The Skyex Community Stadium last season and tonight they were hosting local rivals Northwood in a match that would see me complete The South Central Division of The Isthmian League. The aforementioned frustration relates to Hayes and Yeading losing out to Moneyfields the previous Saturday in The FA Cup. In the league, Hayes and Yeading were just outside the play offs with tonight's visitors a couple of places back. I visited Northwood almost ten years ago for a match with Wingate and Finchley.

Kick off at The Skyex

The first half of the opening period is pretty scrappy with both sides having half chances that go wide of the target. The home side take the lead in fortuitous circumstances when the Northwood defender inadvertently deflects a cross past his own keeper. Hayes and Yeading have another chance just before half time but the shot on the turn goes well over the bar.

Hayes and Yeading get a first half cross into the box

Northwood come close at the start of the second as a wicked corner manages to elude everyone before things go down hill very quickly for the visitors. The midfielder chops down the Hayes and Yeading attacker to earn his second yellow and the subsequent red. It doesn't take long for Hayes and Yeading to make the advantage count as the ball finds its way to the back post where it is lashed in to make it two nil. The third comes when the forward is played in on goal and he smartly slots past the goalie. The fourth isn't long in coming as the forward is poorly marked at a free kick and heads home. Hayes and Yeading get two further goals to win six nil. Extended highlights can be watched here.

Hayes and Yeading looking for more goals

I got to The Skyex by taking a train to Southall from Paddington which takes around twenty minutes. From here it is a short walk to The Broadway where you can catch the 207 or 407 to close to the ground. In terms of pubs there is literally nothing in Southall therefore it is best to have a drink near Paddington or Ealing where I think you can the bus to the ground. The bar under the stand which has just opened had the usual selection drinks and was very welcoming. The ground is still a work in progress but the volunteers make it worth the trip out to West London.

There's an excellent programme too

Another view of the stand