Chelmsford City 1-1 Hayes & Yeading United

Phil Babb gave credit to the wind for two blistering strikes that saw the points shared by Hayes & Yeading and Chelmsford City.

Substitute Rhys Murrell-Williamson came off the bench to bang in his first goal for the club in stunning fashion after Leon Redwood’s thunderbolt had put the hosts ahead.

You couldn’t have wished for two finer hits and it finished 1-1 at Melbourne Park, however United boss Babb reckons mother nature played her part on Saturday. 

“The wind was a major factor,” he said. “Both teams are chasing points and if you can use the conditions to your advantage, then so be it. And both of us did.

Winger: Rhys Murrell-Williamson

“We had chances to win it but I’ve had a chat with the boys but took come away from Chelmsford with a point is a fair result.

“You’ve got to give credit to the wind for those two strikes. The first one was from 40-odd yards and was totally wind-assisted, unstoppable!

“Rhys does that in training. I wouldn’t say he’s a one-trick pony but that’s his stock shot, dipping inside and unleashing an unstoppable shot.

“It kept going and going and going. Both efforts were fantastic.”

Talking it over: Phil Babb and Tristan Lewis

The point against the Clarets means Hayes & Yeading have now suffered defeat just once in their last six outings, much to the delight of former Liverpool star Babb.

“I think we’re three points off third place,” he said. “I’m encouraged by the performances.

“I think we may have lost this game last year. We’ve got that resilience at the moment. We’re picking points up and that’s all I can ask of the boys. They’ve been terrific.”

Hayes & Yeading are due to travel to Uxbridge in the Middlesex Senior Cup tomorrow evening.