Former Stoke City youngster Andrew Musungu is rising to the challenge at Hayes & Yeading United.
The pacey 19-year-old winger put in a fine performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Dorchester and is settling into a team that he feels has the togetherness and defensive fortitude to build on the victory.
“I’m delighted with the [Dorchester] result,” he said. “It was a big win in a tough game.
“We defend from the front all the way to the back and, credit to the defence, they’re good at what they do and make it hard for teams.”
Having lost nine games on the trot after Christmas, Hayes & Yeading have tasted defeat just once in their last eight prior to last night’s (Tuesday’s) trip to Gosport.
Team spirit has been key in the turnaround according to Musungu.
He said: “I haven’t been here too long but what I’ve seen is that the manager keeps everyone together – we’re all good mates and we get along so that makes it easier.”
Despite a promising start in which he carved out numerous first-half chances, Musungu was substituted in the second half against Dorchester.
He said: “I’m always disappointed to come off but it’s a team game. Really, I’m just happy we got the three points.”
Admitting that men’s football is a step up from academy level, he said: “You can see that these boys want it. You run for your teammates and don’t want to let them down.
“For me I think it means more here – they’re playing for their livelihoods. Every run, every tackle means something so I want to bring that kind of desire into my game.”
