HARTLEY Wintney suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a good Hayes and Yeading United in front of their biggest league gate of the season 150.

The Row had a blow prior to kick off when keeper Paul Strudley called off with illness. A late replacement was found with former goalkeeper Craig Atkinson helping out at very short notice.

Hartley had the first chance on three minutes following a surging run down the left by Louie Paget.

His pass found Paul Hodges who having exchanged passes with Jake Baxter brought out a good save from Jack Smith in the Hayes goal. It soon became evident that the pace in the forward and midfield positions would give the visitors the edge and on nine minutes Immuellson Duku set up up Ismael Ehui who seen his shot tipped over by Craig Atkinson.

A minute later, Hayes should have taken the lead. Duku’s pace took him past the Hartley defence and he rolled his shot past the advancing Atkinson only to see the ball strike the post.

The Row responded and forced a number of corners but without a telling effort. However, on 20 minutes a low corner from Adam Everiss found Paul Hodges who created a chance for himself and brought out a good stop from goalkeeper Smith.

A minute later, Smith came out of the penalty box to head clear. The ball arrived at Steven Duff who seen his lob towards the empty net go just past the post. On 24 minutes the visitors took the lead when a long cross from Andrew Ofosu on the right seemed to go straight into the net after being missed by Duku.

The Row responded well and on 26 minutes an effort from Adam Everiss brought out another save from Smith.

Soon after Paul Hodges created a chance and was unlucky to see his parting effort blocked.

Two minutes later with the Row on top Steven Duff and Paul Hodges combined and Smith again produced a good stop.

From a short corner Paul Hodges was upended in the penalty area and captain Dean Stow converted from the spot.

On 34 minutes, the Row almost took the lead when a left wing corner was scrambled off the line by the Hayes defence.

The visitors took the lead on 39 minutes. Toby Little lined up to take a right wing corner when he was strangely booked for time wasting. When the corner was taken a number of players went up for the ball at the back post and Duku headed into the net.

Hartley started the second half well and on 48 minutes Everiss was unable to covert a chance set up by Jake Baxter and Hodges.

The Row continued on the front foot and four minutes later a cross from Baxter was headed across the face of the goal by Hodges.

On 55 minutes, Hartley should have pulled level when Baxter went clear. As he rounded goalkeeper Smith the Hayes custodian got the faintest of touches on the ball and the chance was gone.

The visitors always looked dangerous on the counter attack extended the lead on 62 minutes. Duku tried a speculative low shot from 25 yards which found the net (1-3).

Two minutes later the visitors added a fourth. Duku appeared to try the most outrageous of Tom Daley dives in the penalty box. He was awarded the perfect 10 score from referee James Robinson who pointed to the penalty spot. Captain Danny Hutchins converted.

The Row made a triple substitution bringing on Josh Webb, Jack French and Hartley fans' favourite young Jayden Englefield, a real bundle of tricks.

Within 20 seconds both Hartley centre backs Liam Eagle and Adam New went down injured. Fortunately both made sufficient recovery to continue until the end.

Hartley pressed forward but were unable to fashion a chance. On 87 minutes Hayes added a fifth when Duku's speculative shot from 25 yards took a deflection and looped over Craig Atkinson.

In added time Ofosu with another distance effort made it 6-1.

After the game joint manager Antony Millerick said: "Although they were the better side we had opportunities to get into the game. This is a wake up call for our team.

"Some will say 6-1 was a flattering score line. However it does not disguise the fact that we were not at our best. Our standards have slipped and we must restore them to the levels they were before. The bulk of this side have achieved so much.

"We did not compete as we should have done tonight. We will be looking to improve and very quickly."

This Saturday, Hartley are in FA Trophy action at Swindon Supermarine.