Hedley sees Saints to win

Aylesbury United  1     Wood 79

Saints  2     Hastings 18, Hedley 66

Evo-Stik League South East  (Saturday 21 April)

Match photos at: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmgVe6Z2

Saints ended their run of draws with a hard-earned win against an Aylesbury United side that had been hitting some good home form in recent games.

With their entire strike force missing through suspension, Saints were in a quandary as to how best to present themselves in a game they really needed to win. With their play off hopes on life support and not expected to survive the afternoon, there was concern that chasing sides might overhaul them.

As so, often, when a crisis presents itself, Alan Hedley is usually the man to ride to the rescue. And so it was again. Despite starring at the heart of the powerful Saints defence, Alan has other tunes to play and so was handed the lead role in attack.

Saints began strongly, pinning Aylesbury into their own area with a succession of corners. Remmel Clarke looked a serious threat down the right but it was Rob Hastings, who made the early breakthrough. Hedley picked him out with a rangy pass from midfield and he outpaced the full back and picked his moment to slide his shot past the sprawling keeper into the far corner.

Both sides then missed scoring chances as the game lacked a deal of urgency but Saints were happy with their lead at the interval.

Aylesbury tried to mix things up after the break with their substitutions but they got little change from the Saints defence where George Fenton was unshaking in his commitment and Adam Kirby was solid, giving his best performance since returning to the club.

Saints took advantage of their hosts switching off from a free kick and the quick reaction of Jack Mullan to pick out Alan Hedley on the edge of the area and the captain’s well placed header over the   advancing keeper was to prove the highlight of the afternoon.

The introduction of Jeanmal Prosper to the Ducks’ front line finally added some threat for the home side and his header back across the Saints goal set up Jack Wood to head home on his 400th game.

Saints:  Carl Dennison,Mark Goodman, Ryan Haugh, George Fenton, Adam Kirby, Jack Mullan, Rob Hastings (Frankie Jones 69), Alex Paine, Alan Hedley, Louis Stead (Max Holland 86), Remmel Clarke (Alex Lafleur 78).

Attendance.  112     Star Player.  Alan Hedley