Hayes & Yeading United 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1 FA CUP

AFC Rushden & Diamonds are out of the FA Cup beaten 2-1 by Hayes & Yeading United in the First Qualifying Round in West London on Saturday afternoon.

Diamonds were buoyed by the return of Sam Brown to the back four and Ben Diamond to the front three. The game was delayed 15 minutes due to travel problems for one of the officials but was a well contested even game in the first half. Tom Lorraine fizzed in a fierce cross that was just deflected over after 5 minutes, Lewis Toomey blazed over for Hayes on 7 minutes when well placed and Josh Chamberlain saw a shot blocked on 17. Joel Gyasi then had a mazy run just ended by a vital interception a minute later and Ben Farrell hit a rising effort just over on 21.

Joel Gyasi had a strong penalty appeal waved away on 28 as he went down under pressure in the box and after Liam McDevitt went into the referees book for a poor challenge on the same player Hayes hit with a sucker punch. A deep cross found its way into the six yard box where Lewis Toomey beat a Diamonds defender to the bouncing ball to head home. Free-scoring Hayes finished the half strongly looking to kill off the game but Diamonds defended well to take it to half-time at 1-0 to the home side.

Half-time: Hayes & Yeading United 1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 0

Both sides came close to the important second goal in the game in the early stages of the second half finding only the cross bar to deny them. The impressive Lewis Toomey got free again for Hayes on 51 minutes but saw his effort crash back off the bar, and just 2 minutes later Ben Diamond set-up Joel Gyasi from 12 yards but again the ball came crashing back off the bar. Leon Lobjolt joined the action on 58 and was involved in a couple a decent Diamonds chances around the hour mark. He fired just over after cutting inside on 62 minutes and a minute later layed a great ball in to Ben Diamond from a drop-ball that was just taken off the strikers foot as he looked to get clear.

After that flurry of openings for Diamonds the lively Hayes side largely controlled what had been an even game. Diamonds were impacted further by a painful looking in jury to Callum Westwood on 75 minutes which saw him leave the field. Hayes had the ball in the net on 80 minutes but the effort was ruled out for offside. John Dean also joined the game for Diamonds and after a trademark energetic run his cross on 84 found Leon Lobjolt who just couldn’t get his effort on target.

It proved to be a vital moment as 4 minutes later with 2 left on the clock Lee Barney broke free and from a tight angle blasted the ball past Ben Heath to make it 2-0. It looked all over for Diamonds but they were given a late lifeline in the 2nd minute of added on time. A penalty was awarded this time for a foul in the box and Ben Farrell calmly scored.  It was too late for Diamonds to mount a dramatic fight back and they exited the FA Cup at the First Qualifying stage for just the second time.

Full-time: Hayes & Yeading United 2 AFC Rushden & Diamonds 1

A disappointing FA Cup exit for Diamonds who competed well throughout but conceded the vital first goal and didn’t take any of the half chances they created before and after that 34th minute Hayes strike. Free-scoring Hayes had beaten Diamonds twice last season and were dangerous throughout but had to wait until 88 minutes for what would be the vital goal. Ben Farrell’s late penalty proved to be no more than a consolation.

Next up for Diamonds a visit to old foes Royston Town on Saturday.

Man of the match:  Liam Dolman

Attendance: TBC

Match Report by Paul Judd

Match Gallery courtesy of Matt Hawkins. Copyright HawkinsImages ©2018