Three late goals lift the Harriers from the dead

The Harriers moved into the play-off places with a dramatic 3-1 win over Hayes that left spirits high after a brilliant comeback and overhaul from Hayes & Yeadings early opening goal.

The first half was anything but brilliant though, as the Harriers looked to extend their unbeaten run even further, with Hayes taking the game to us and at times playing us off the park.  Fortunately for the Harriers their early pressure amounted to nothing and our only scare was a lengthy injury to Mickey Demetriou, but he was back on his feet soon after going down.

The Harriers were making some chances of their own though and the first of these was a James Vincent shot, from a corner, but it failed to test the United keeper Carl Pentney.  Then Callum Gittings poked at a crossed that came from good work down the Harriers right flank, but the keeper touched it around the post.  Lee Hendrie also had an effort, after Matt received the ball and played him in, but he hit his shot straight at the visiting goalie.

Despite these chances the general rhythm of the first half was with Hayes & Yeading and they capitalised on this pressure by taking the lead just before the half hour mark.  A throw in led to a deep cross which was only half dealt with by the Harriers defence and allowed the lively Luke Williams to pounce on the ball and fire home past a helpless Tony Breeden who got down, but couldn't stop the shot.

Hayes kept going and were perhaps unlucky not to go two goals to the good.  Jordan Rose picked up the ball and curled a wonderful strike which, once more Breeden was helpless to get to, but the shot came off the outside of the post and unlike their goal Williams couldn't convert the rebound.

The Harriers then responded after a few long minutes for the fans and kept working the gloves of Pentney.  Jamille Matt had the best opportunity to score after a great cross from Mickey Demetriou but his header was weak and straight at the United 'keeper.  The miss would have pleased the Harriers fans if there were any League 2 scouts in the stands.

The Harriers started the second half much brighter with Gittings having a half chance and a dangerous Vaughan cross which was met by the keeper before anyone else, but our best chance came after a corner which came from a good bit of skill from Lee Hendrie.  The ball in from the corner was good, and met by the captain Luke Jones, whose header was straight at Pentney.

We were by then showing some real touches of quality.  Firstly through a wonderful long range effort from Demetriou which unluckily rocketed off the bar after beating the keeper all ends up.  Then a well taken Kyle Storer free kick could only be met by a glancing Jamille Matt header that went narrowly wide.

Hayes then applied some pressure of their own, firstly from a thundering shot, then through a volley which looked like it could trickle in until Mickey Demetriou made sure and cleared.

It was then the turn for Dan Bradley, the Harriers debutant, on as a substitute to get a dream debut goal but his header from a tricky angle went agonisingly wide.  He then went close again when he and Hendrie both hit the post, denying the Reds an equaliser.  He could also have been sent off soon after too when he went in a bit too strong on a Hayes player and sent him crashing to the ground.

With fifteen minutes to go it was that man Bradley again having a go, but his shot from outside the box was just wide and the Harriers fans were beginning to wonder if this was going to be their day or not.  That question was answered by a man, Steve Guinan, who knows where the goal is when he got an equaliser to send the game into a dramatic final ten minutes.  Lee Hendrie took his corner short to Mickey Demetriou who fizzed a wonderful cross in that was hammered towards the goal by Kyle Storer.  The shot was deflected in by Guinan to make it one a piece.

Harriers were now desperately trying to find a winner as a Matt overhead kick went well over Pentneys bar and a deep cross from Mickey Demetriou that was hit back in by Guinan sailed past everyone in the box.

A mass brawl stunned the Harriers fans after Mickey Demetriou, who went down injured, was kicked by a Hayes & Yeading player.  This led to an ugly affair occurring and left the Hayes manager very frustrated, but the referee thought the incident was worthy of two yellow cards for two Utd players, even after Hendrie went down after an apparent punch or push to the face.

The drama was not over though and the referee gave a minimum of six additional minutes that the Harriers took full advantage of.

Following an horrendous back pass, from a defender, Jamille Matt pounced on it and took it round the onrushing Pentney to slot home and send the Harriers 2-1 up.

The Harriers were not finished there!  In a counter attacking move Nick Wright and the 'injured and offside' Matt found themselves up against one defender and the keeper.  A one-two ball was controlled (just about) by Wright to make sure of the win and send the Harriers into the play offs and put fire into the Harriers players bellies as more important matches approach quickly.

 Goals for Harriers: Guinan 82, Matt 90+2, Wright 90+8
 Goal for Hayes: L Williams 28

REFEREE:

Mr N Kinesley Essex