Hanwell Town 2-1 Hayes & Yeading

Hanwell Town overcame local rivals Hayes and Yeading 2-1 in the Middlesex Senior Cup Quarter Final on Tuesday (February 18).

Hayes did take an early lead through Adam Martin. However, Ezekiel Coker had The Geordies level 25 minutes later.

Then, veteran striker Elliot Benyon turned back the clock to give Hanwell a deserved lead.

The Geordies came into the game against their step 4 opponents unbeaten in eight games. They came back from two goals down against Havant & Waterlooville last weekend to preserve that record.

The visitors had the first shot of the game in the 4th minute when the ball fell to Herson Alves on the edge of the box. The midfielder’s volley bounced awkwardly but didn’t challenge Sam Beasant.

Hanwell had their first chance four minutes later. Joe Wilson made progress down the right and found Benyon in the box. Juliusz Pazio reacted well to save the strikers shot.

Hayes got the opener in the thirteenth minute. A good team move eventually found its’ way to Martin who made no mistake with his finish.

Coker had a lively 25 minutes before finally equalising in the 39th minute. First, a threatening run down the right ended in his shot being blocked.

Next, the striker fought hard to control a ball in the box and finished well. However, he was judged to have handled the ball and the goal was disallowed.

Seven minutes later, Benyon played Coker through one on one with Pazio. The striker couldn’t find the corners with his shot and it was batted away by the Hayes goalkeeper.

Pazio was called into action again 10 minutes later. This time he could only parry Rod Orlando-Young’s powerful effort into the path of Coker. The young striker gratefully smashed home to finally level the game for The Geordies.

Hayes could’ve retaken the lead just before half time when Rocky Williams pounced onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and fired just wide.

In the 52nd minute Coker was sent down the left by Woodcock and won a promising free kick.

Miles’ delivery was cleared but Hanwell won another free kick in the left corner. After a series of unsuccessful crosses, Coker’s eventual shot was blocked.

Coker was back in action again four minutes later. Beating his man on the before crossing. Chaynie Burgin couldn’t get enough power on his header and Mark Amaning cleared.

In the 66th minute, The Geordies took a lead they would never relinquish. Benyon beautifully controlled a cross from the right, beat his man, and smashed a shot in off the crossbar.

Hayes and Yeading never gave up and their best chance to equalise came in the 75th minute. Keano Robinson connected with a cross from the left at the back post. However, his shot was high and wide.

It was a morale boosting win for Hanwell, who had drawn their last three game. Players struggling for minutes also got a run out against a highly competitive Hayes & Yeading side.

On Saturday, Hanwell make the trip to Bulpit Lane to face Hungerford Town. They will play Bedfont Sports next Tuesday in the Semi Final of the Middlesex Senior Cup.