Harefield United were able to say they ran out comfortable winners for the first time in over a month as they overcame AFC Hayes in the round of 16 in the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup.

The home side came off the back of a postponement against North Greenford United, with a dubious decision to cancel the fixture allowing a full week’s rest to prepare for the cup tie.

The upsides of the extra days off were evident from the outset, with Blaise Riley-Snow firing in from close range early on, which could have been more but for the outstanding display by Hayes’ Tom Clark in goal.

Forward Foday Sesay doubled the lead soon after the break, but Hayes’ were not without reply as Nathan Dennis put away his chance, nevertheless Tash Jordan showed his goal scoring prowess not long from time to secure The Hares’ progression.

Harefield’s progression to the last 16 came via the same score line against North Greenford United, while AFC’s route came in the form of a bye.

The Hares opened the tie with the vibrancy missed over the past weeks, encapsulated in Sesay’s showing, constantly pressing and exploiting Hayes’ susceptibility to give away possession and forcing the first of many saves Clark had to make.

Clark’s efforts between the sticks ensured the result was not out of reach for the visitors before half-time, denying Sam Shaw not once but three times in the first half, the first of which drawing in the crowd after denying the Harefield playmaker from a set piece.

The ‘keeper was found out not from an eye catching finish but a poked shot in the six yard area courtesy of Blaise Riley-Snow, who now has a goal to his name to cap off some noteworthy ninety minutes in recent weeks, and is becoming a lynchpin for Jason Shaw’s side after his return from Alicante City recently.

Hayes found space out on the flanks as Harefield’s wing backs push forward when in possession, which saw Nathan Dennis often find space on the right wing and at least make the officials consider a possible penalty appeal after coming in from the right.

AFC had to deal with an unfortunate early substitution dealt to them in the form of knee injury to captain Charlie Howes, a reoccurring issue that has seen the centre back play only ten times this campaign.

The visitors’ constant thorn in the side of Harefield, Nathan Dennis, was gifted a chance to get back in to the match when the Hares’ baffled back line misjudged the offside trap, allowing Dennis through on goal to round an onrushing Jacob Ballheimer but slot wide and keep Harefield on top at the break.

Recent comments from Michael Molokwu have detailed the need to keep the ‘golden period’ of the opening 25 minutes going for as long as possible, and The Hares hit the ground running to open the second half with a welcome goal from the boot of Foday Sesay after being found by Tash Jordan, dealing a sucker punch to Hayes.

A pacy break led by Jordan gifted a chance to Lenny Farhall to net his first in four games, who couldn’t find the target but the team’s direction of play to the right sided forward was testament to his hold up play and footwork.

Such is the nature of Harefield’s recent matches; their opponents are given a hand back into the tie.

The Hares’ defensive line, and crossbar, stood stern after an onslaught of corners and free-kicks directed by Jack Smith, one of which made the most of the remnants of Storm Ciara and was taken by the elements and on to the woodwork.

But it was no coincidence that it was the ever-present Dennis to pull one back for Alan Galloway’s side, found by a cutting through ball from Harry Bishop through the middle of the defence and Dennis made no mistake.

There was an overwhelming sense that this will be a major test of character for Ryan Wharton and co., albeit against a side playing a step lower than them, but so often have found themselves in good positions but have compromised leads, no less against Dunstable and Crawley Green.

Substitute Jordan Ellis was brilliantly denied by a recovering Steven Green, blocking a shot that was on target after Ballheimer misjudged his sweeper instincts.

The closing stages were a demonstration of United’s ability to game manage and to close out a result, even with the winning margin at one until Jordan’s goal in added time.

Sam Shaw’s replacement Luke Baldwin fed through Jordan in plenty of space, who drilled home his ninth this season to expose the gulf in class between the sides and potentially some tired legs too, where Hayes failed to reorganise in regards to repositioning on the far side of the park after a throw in.

Harefield will travel to either Southall or Hanworth Villa in quarter-finals of the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup, with their round of 16 tie taking place on the 3rd March.

Harefield United Team:
Jacob Ballheimer (GK)
Rowan Larrington
Steven Green
Ryan Wharton (C)
Harry McCorkell
Blaise Riley-Snow
Tash Jordan
Foday Sesay
Lenny Farhall
Sam Shaw
Lee McManus

Subs:
Luke Baldwin (Used)
Danny Glock (Used)
Aderi Dede
Paul Underwood
Reece Mallett

AFC Hayes Team:
Tom Clark (GK)
Dan Taylor
Harry Bishop
James White
Charlie Howes (C)
Ishaq Muhammad
Nathan Dennis
Stuart Muldren
George Haries
Jack Smith
Trey Pender-Brown

Subs:
Harry Smith
Chandler Harris (Used)
Jordan Ellis (Used)
Shane Kettle
Tyler Randall