Harriers earn handy point at Hayes (From Worcester News)

Harriers earn handy point at Hayes

10:43am Friday 16th April 2010

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Hayes and Yeading 2
Harriers 2

HARRIERS picked up another point on the road as two goals in the second half saw them battle out a 2-2 draw at Blue Square Premier strugglers Hayes & Yeading United.

On the back of the recent treks to Barrow and Gateshead, the last thing Harriers would have needed was another lengthy jaunt down the motorway, but with flashes of real steel and resilience they at least came away from Church Road with a share of the spoils, with Chris McPhee grabbing his third in two games and Martin Riley popping up from a corner.

Despite the late surge, Harriers were behind at the break and were made to pay for yet another slow start. The home side could well have been ahead on 28 minutes – experienced midfield man found himself within just yards of Ross Atkins goal after good work down the left-hand side, but with only the loanee shot-stopper to beat, he lashed an effort inches over the bar.

A goal-line clearance from Dean Bennett just after that left Harriers further rattled, and right at the end of the first period, Hayes & Yeading – who secured their Blue Square Premier safety with the night's point – opened the scoring. Sloppiness from a corner saw Scott Fiztgerald make no mistake from close-range after an initial effort on goal had been blocked.

Steve Burr must have left some stinging words in the ears of his troops as he sent them out for the second half as Harriers were vastly improved.

Quickly racking up chances, they were on level terms on 51 minutes as the alert McPhee hesitancy from goalkeeper Clark Masters by finishing under his body from close range.

From there the visitors had looked to press the advantage, but 17 minutes later they were once again behind. Left appealing for a foul on McPhee on the edge of the area that was never given, Harriers defence had to watch as Fitzgerald let fly from distance with a volley that flew into the back of the net, restoring his side's lead.

Harriers had been at the wrong end from some questionable decisions from referee Amy Fearn during the game but on 76 minutes they were perhaps fortunate not to be down to ten men.

Tussling with Fitzgerald off the ball, Fearn watched on as on loan defender Luke Prosser twice appeared to aim a headbutt at the Hayes man who in turn reacted furiously.

The end result was a caution for both, though the striker's second of the night left him staring at a red card and marching orders.

With their opponents down to ten men Harriers immediately sensed and pounced upon the opportunity. A deep corner from the right-hand side caught Masters flapping, Riley making no mistake as he powered in at the far post to send the small band of visiting fans into raptures.

Harriers: Atkins 6, Sharpe 6 (Courtney 45 7), Riley 7, Prosser 6, Baker 6, Kerry 7 (Matthews 77 6), BENNETT 7 (Byrne 71 6), Finnigan 6, McPhee 7, Knights 6, Smikle 6.

Subs Not Used: Singh, Lawrie.

Hayes & Yeading: Masters, Cadmore, Ruby, Harris, Green, Allen-Page, Cochrane (Watkins 90+3), Canham, Marwa, Fitzgerald, Wishart (Mulley 62).

Subs Not Used: Baker, Stolcers, Webb.

Attendance: 318.

Referee: Amy Fearn (Leicestershire).

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