Contrary to the weather, the match started off hot. The skipper, Brandon Chebby, started pressing early and won a corner for The Deans in the first minute. This led to an opportunity for Coby Killick, who saw a shot outside the box go over the bar.

Hayes & Yeading then followed up a minute later; their number 11, Amaru Kaunda, had an early shot on target which was smartly saved by Myles Bowman.

They kept piling on the pressure in the early minutes, a scramble in the box in the third minute saw Horndean’s defence have to make an off-the-line clearance.

Eight minutes in, breakthrough for The Deans! The ball dropped for Chebby on the left side. He took a touch and smashed it into the keeper’s near side from the edge of the box. An absolute cannon of a shot, 1-0 to Horndean.

Four minutes later, after some end-to-end football, Ryan Carroll tried a speculative shot from near the halfway line, trying to catch the keeper off his line. The ball went over the bar, but you can’t fault the effort after what he produced against Leatherhead earlier in the season.

Hayes kept piling the pressure on and eventually levelled the scoring. An unstoppable volley from Stan Flaherty inside the box in the 15th minute tied the game. 1-1.

The next five minutes saw more back-and-forth action. Chebby was back on defensive duties, winning everything in the air. He also won a free kick in the final third which saw Bryce Gough get a yellow card.

It was to be the Chebby show yet again, 22 minutes in, Ryan Carroll whipped the ball in from the near-side corner and the captain scores in spectacular fashion. A bicycle kick into the keeper’s right-hand corner. One of the goals of the season. Some supporters dubbed him as a ‘man possessed’ for his contributions in the first half.

For the rest of the half, Horndean had to be alert defensively. Big challenges from Amadou Jallow and Coby Killick helped steady things up going into half-time.

It was not without warning, however. Hayes and Yeading’s Tyler Hayles had a great opportunity in the 33rd. He skipped past the midfield and got a shot away which bought an amazing save from Bowman.

Hayles thought he had his ‘Ankara Messi’ moment again in the 42nd, bombed through the midfield and the defence with a solo run, but put the ball wide after trying to chip Bowman.

Half-time, 2-1 to The Deans.

Horndean started well again in the second half, pressing right from the whistle, and early shots from Jake Flannigan unfortunately went askew.

In the 53rd minute, Jallow picked up a yellow card just outside his box, from what looked like a firm, but fair sliding challenge. Hayes then levelled the game again from the following free kick. The ball got whipped into the box, a fortunate bounce fell perfectly for Amaru Kaunda, who placed it into the bottom-left corner. 2-2.

From that point, little seemed to go Horndean’s way — decisions weren’t falling in their favour, and a yellow card for Killick in the 62nd minute meant the defence had to be alert as Hayes were piling on the pressure. You could sense the frustration from the home fans.

The defence however were up to the task, Matt Kellett-Smith showed his everlasting aerial presence, and were strongly defending every corner.

The first substitution for Horndean saw Zac Cahusac leave the pitch for Tommy Whitehead in the 75th. The second being seven minutes later, new signing Sam Godfroy made way for Oliver Erdinc.

The Deans had a corner in the 86th minute, Carroll swung it in and from a resulting scramble, unfortunately hit the woodwork.

Mikey O’Connell had a shot on target three minutes later that was well saved by Aaron Watkins.

In the 90th minute, ex Horndean player Sam Ashton had the chance to break Horndean hearts. He smashed the ball on target from 8 yards out and brought a massive save from Bowman, keeping the point still intact.

Stoppage time saw Whitehead and Erdinc pick up yellow cards, the latter being a professional foul which stopped an almost certain opportunity for Hayes.

Carroll saw his name in lights in the 95th minute, a wonderful shot from the left side of the box brought a fingertip save from Watkins.

It was to be another draw for The Deans. Full Time: 2-2. Chebby quite deservedly won man of the match.

Horndean will now look to build on this spirited performance as they face Southall in what could prove a crucial six-pointer on Saturday afternoon.