Lions frozen out at chilly AFC Hayes (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Lions frozen out at chilly AFC Hayes

2:46am Wednesday 10th March 2010

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AFC Hayes 3 Lions 1.

LIONS turned in a disappointing performance on Tuesday at a chilly Farm Park as they went down to fellow strugglers AFC Hayes.

There could be no faulting the endeavour of Andy Leader’s young side but defensive mistakes proved costly and with a shortage of chances created at the other end the visitors were always up against it. Leader went with an unchanged side after Saturday’s superb showing but were soon given a wake up call as lively striker Denilson Vicente crashed a shot against the post after less than three minutes.

Ben Chambers had Lions’ first chance soon after when he robbed Wes Bickles on the half way line but he drove over when clean through. Bobby Swayne then nodded over from a corner as his side enjoyed a good spell but the goal did not come and on 13 minutes Hayes capitalised. The ball was given away clumsily on the left and Josh Lovell, on loan from neighbours Hayes and Yeading, moved inside to crash home the opener in off the near post. Lions retaliated with a good flowing move which ended with Chambers going close then Tom Gooding had a shot deflected just wide.

Andover were showing some good signs but the final cross was not there and Hayes again almost made the Lions pay but Dave Hook brought off a spectacular flying save to keep out a Lawrence Rispoli drive just before the break. Hayes continued to look lively after the interval and after referee Breakspear played a good advantage, Vicente was too quick for the visiting defence but shot wide from a good position. Lions’ graft paid off soon after as Swayne sent a stunning pass out to Gooding on the right and his first time cross was met at the near post by Chambers who made no mistake from close range. On the hour Robbie Sadler was close with a driven free-kick but ten minutes later Lions self destructed and handed the points to AFC Hayes. Again the ball was given away in midfield and Lovell found room to beat Hook with a crisply angled drive to retake the lead. Moments later it was almost three as Craig Tompkins’ shot cannoned into Lovell who was two yards out and went harmlessly wide.

Lions’ travelling support, who made up half the attendance once more, were still hopeful of salvaging a point until four minutes from time when the ball was yet again presented to Lovell who strode into the area and was brought down by Mark James. Tompkins despatched the spot-kick and AFC Hayes clinched the points and a lifeline as they target Andover in the relegation dogfight.

Hook, Sangha, Sadler, Byrne, James, Swayne, Gooding, Urry, Chambers, Wiltshire, Keogh. Subs; Burch, Davies, Gatcum, Baker, Smith.

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