Southern League Premier South Division – Tuesday 24th October 2023
Basingstoke Town 0 v 3 Hayes & Yeading United Attendance 577
Where: Winklebury Sports Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Tonight’s match saw Manager Dan Brownlie ’s go with a starting line-up of: 1. Paul Strudley, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Callum Winchcombe, 4. D’Andre Brown, 5. Nathan Smart, 6. William Upton, 8. Simon Dunn (Capt), 9. Liam Ferdinand, 10. Paul Hodges, 11. George Reid, 14. Dan Rowe
On the bench: Bradley Wilson, Stefan Brown, Kai Hobbs, Noah Chengun & James Clark
Referee – Andrew Dunn
This latest midweek league fixture under the lights got underway with Stoke attacking the railway end terrace and Stoke are first to attack, as three minutes in Dan Rowe, is slipped in down the left, and his first-time shot, seems to beat the keeper’s dive, but slides inches past the far right-hand post and out for a goal-kick.
The game is still waiting to really ignite as we head past ten minutes, but then a through ball allows to a Hayes forward to outmuscle Nathan Smart, and the forward then slots it past Paul Strudley in goal. Basingstoke 0-1 Hayes & Yeading
The game continues with the visitors showing all the initiative, with their speedy No.19 winger, stretching our back four down the right, but we are able to defend his crosses over the next five minutes.
Stoke’s next attack of sorts, is when a pass-back to the Hayes keeper, allows Paul Hodges to get his head to the ball before it reaches the keeper, but the ball bouncing towards the open goal, is cut off by a Hayes defender, who has time to clear.
Paul Hodges then takes a knock, which the referee ignores, but then has to stop the game for a couple of minutes, whilst he receives treatment on the pitch. Luckily he is able to return to the game, only for Simon Dunn to then pick-up an injury, and Stoke are forced into their first change, with Dunn being replaced by James Clark (26 mins).
Very little goalmouth action over the next five minutes. As we head past the half-hour mark.
George Reid then forces a corner down the right, and the kick sees Clark’s glancing header fly past the goalmouth.
The visitors are causing more pressure on our goal, but interceptions by Billy Upton, then Markus Johnson-Schuster, keep them at bay.
We are informed by the referee that we will have a minimum of three-added minutes, as we hit the forty-five, which is noted as Smart goes in the book for a tackle.
More injury concerns are now being shown, as Paul Hodges has to be replaced by Bradley Wilson.
Now in the fifth minute of added-time, the referee blows the halftime.
Halftime – Basingstoke Town 0 v 1 Hayes & Yeading United
During the halftime break, it is sad to see Paul Hodges being stretchered off the pitch and on his way to hospital.
The second-half gets underway with the small contingent of Hayes supporters making their voices heard, as we try and get back into the game.
The speedy Hayes forwards are putting more pressure on our back four, and its their No.20 who outpaces our defence and then pulls the ball back from the byline across the six-yard line, only for no Hayes player to slot the ball home, and Stoke are able to clear.
A minute later their No.20 forward decides to do it himself, as he outpaces our defence and despite two attempted sliding blocks by Stoke defenders, he crushes a shot past Strudley and into the roof of the net and Hayes double their lead. Basingstoke 0-2 Hayes & Yeading
There is another delay as Callum Winchcombe receives treatment for an injury.
Now past the hour mark, it is clear Winchcombe ha to be replaced, and Stefan Brown will be our third substitute.
Hayes are still in control of the game, as more injury worries hit us, as Billy Upton goes down injured, and has to be helped off the pitch, and Stoke are now reduced to ten men.
Still with twenty minutes to go, we are struggling to get past the halfway-line, and two minutes later another Hayes attack, has their No.19 breaking down the right, then cuts inside past two Stoke defenders, takes a look then slots the ball into the far corner of the goal. Basingstoke 0-3 Hayes & Yeading
Their No.20 then puts on a fifteen second show of pace and skill as he beats two Stoke defenders, but his shot is poor and is comfortably saved by Strudley in goal.
The visitors are more than happy with the three goals, and now with the added player advantage, they are now stretching us down the wings, as Clark has slotted into Upton’s role, and Reid is playing a more deeper role on the left.
We are now in the final five minutes of normal time, and there is no way back, and the Stoke crowd who have remained, are just wishing the final whistle could come now.
The referee has indicated an extra eight minutes of time, and the Stoke team are really putting in an effort to keep Hayes from adding a fourth, but it’s one-way traffic, till the referee finally blows the final whistle.
Final Score: Basingstoke Town 0 v 3 Hayes & Yeading United
Fernandes 10 & 52 mins, Ngunga 73 mins
Match Thought’s
Despite the injuries to the Stoke players, Hayes were the paceiest team I have seen all season, which again we struggled to cope with all game. No win in three games, and more injury concerns, and hope all the players are as well as can be hoped. Dan & Aaron will be working hard to get the team up for this Saturday’s game at Swindon Supermarine.
Up Next:
Well we leave the battlefield of the league, to travel to Swindon Supermarine in the FA Trophy this Saturday (28th)
Match Report by Martin French..
English 
Polish 
A disappointing result, with the injuries on the night need to be put aside if we need to stay in top half of the league.