A very warm welcome to the players and supporters of Hayes & Yeading United Football Club, who this weekend will visit the Avenue Stadium for our latest clash in the Southern League Premier Division South (KO 3.00pm).
After losing midweek to title-chasing Weston-super-Mare the Magpies now face up to a tough run of fixtures in October. But Dorchester Town assistant manager James Wood has insisted that his side should relish the opportunity to “test themselves” against “quality” opposition.
Speaking prio rto the game to Dorset Echo Sport, Wood urged his players to be “brave, stand up and be prepared to pass the ball” against a Hayes side which very nearly achieved promotion last season.
Do you want to know a bit more about our visitors before today’s game? Then check out our official match preview below...
Nickname: United
Founded: 2007
Stadium: TheSkyEx Community Stadium
Capacity: 3,000
Playing surface: Grass
Brief history of United
The club was formed in 2007, following the merger of two local clubs, Hayes FC and Yeading FC.
At the time both team’s respective chairmen agreed that the only way the two clubs could continue to operate at the level they were playing - National League South -was to become one entity.
In just their second season United earned promotion to the National League, via the play-offs. The club would go on to spend three seasons at step five of the English Football League pyramid, before suffering relegation in 2012.
Two more relegations would follow over the next couple of seasons, leaving Hayes in the Southern League Eastern Division for one year.
After being transferred to the Isthmian League South Central Division the club was able tore-group and secured promotion back to the Southern League Premier Division South during the 2018/19 season.
The Gaffer - Paul Hughes
A former professional player, Hughes started his career at Chelsea in 1994 where he scored on his debut against Derby County.
However, he would leave the club after just a handful of appearances due to a combination of injuries and new signings, which restricted him from establishing a spot in the first team.
Hughes enjoyed a successful spell with Luton Town, whom across a five-year period he helped earn promotion from the English Football League (EFL) League 2 and become champions of the EFL League 1.
In 2006 he retired from playing though it wasn’t until six years later that he cut his teeth in football management for Kings Langley.
As joint manager at the club he helped secure three promotions in four years, before departing for the vacant managerial seat at Hayes in November 2016.
He very nearly led the club to promotion last season only to suffer play-off heartbreak at the hands of Farnborough.
Ones to Watch
In forward Moses Emmanuel, Hayes posses one of the deadliest strikers in the league. Emmanuel finished last season as the Southern League Premier Division South’s top scorer (35) and already has five league goals to his name this season.
At the other end of the pitch Hayes defender and captain, Charlie Wassmer, has a wealth of experience at National League level. He re-joined the club this summer from Hampton & Richmond Borough and has already caught the eye with his performances.
Form Guide
The Magpies - LLWLL
Dorchester have found wins hard to come by in recent weeks, picking up just one victory in their last seven league and cup fixtures. However, the Avenue Stadium has proved to be a fruitful hunting ground so far this season, with the Magpies winning five of a possible seven fixtures.
United - LDWWL
Hayes have enjoyed an indifferent start to their 2022/23 campaign, which has been reflected in their results thus far. In midweek United lost 3-2 away to Hanwell Town, though they had won their previous two games against New Salamis and Gosport Borough respectively.
Last Time We Met...
In January Hayes comfortably dispatched the Magpies with a 3-0 victory at the SkyEx Community Stadium, courtesy of a goal from Moses Emmanuel and a Francis Amartey brace.
Magpies Team News
Goalkeeper Harry Lee (illness) and forward Shaquille Gwengwe (ankle) are expected to return for Dorchester against Hayes.
However, Kieran Douglas (knee) will be out for at least another week, while Harvey-Joe Bertrand is suspended following his red card at Plymouth Parkway.
Admission fees
Adult: £12 (£11 in advance)
Concessions: £9 (£8 in advance)
16 to 18-year-olds: £6 (£5 in advance)
Under 16-year-olds: £4 (£3 in advance)
Fans are able to order online via the official Dorchester Town FC website HERE