BADSHOT LEA 2, AFC HAYES 1

THIS hard-earned win made it seven points out of nine for Badshot Lea since Ben Dillon took over as manager.

The in-form west Londoners set a hot pace at Shawfield Road, but tended to select the wrong final ball and Josh Peckham did not have much to do in goal.

New signings George Jones and Lukas Burt gave the Baggies good options on the wings, but it was mainly a story of disciplined defence by the home side as they held AFC Hayes to 0-0 at the interval.

Badshot Lea were much brighter in the second half and it took them only three minutes to take the lead. After smart work on the right, Burt directed his cross towards Darren Blake who controlled nicely on the edge of the area and, in the same movement, swept the ball into the roof of the net.

The goal injected new self-belief into the Baggies and now the visitors were on the back foot.

Blake was denied by a fine save before Lea doubled the lead on 61minutes, with a helping hand from the AFC Hayes keeper whose throw-out got his side in trouble. The alert Burt dispossessed the left-back and crossed to the back post where Ryan Stephens produced a sharp left-foot finish.

The visitors were not finished yet, though, and got themselves back in the game seven minutes later. Substitute Gibson Pasma scored the goal of the game, his 25-yard blast giving Peckham no chance.

Dillon sent on Zachary Hawker and Adam New to protect the slender lead and the Baggies played out time for three valuable points.

Badshot Lea visit mid-table Colliers Wood this Saturday, On Tuesday, Lea host Fleet Spurs in the Aldershot Senior Cup.