Hayes progressed in the Allied Counties League Cup with a 3-1 extra time win against a spirited Buckingham side full of effort and endeavor.
Matt Carroll wasted a chance in the first minute when Michael Bryan squared for him in the middle and he failed to connect with the ball.
Buckingham gained in confidence as the half went on and Lewis Higgs tested John Peacock's handling with a fierce shot, but the Hayes keeper dealt with it well. Tom Kelsall also had a shot which Peacock fielded comfortably.
Hayes's approach play and technique was superior throughout, although Buckingham defended with great discipline. However, when Carroll clipped a spinning ball into Liam Hind's path, he finished coolly into the far corner of the goal.
Scott Reynolds made a good save from Andrew Harewood at the beginning of the second half which kept the score at 1-0. Buckingham took advantage by equalising midway through the half when Andy Booden was allowed to ride two challenges and the loose ball was converted by Johnny Carter.
This spurred Hayes into life and Harewood was again denied by Reynolds, as was Ollie Fayed. However, Daniel Mehmet came closest when in injury time, he hit the post from Bryan's corner.
With the score at 1-1, extra time was required, and Hayes's superior fitness was to allow them to finally assert some dominance on the match. Just a minute in, Ryan Jones and Harewood both just failed to convert Bryan's cut back from the byeline, but moments later, Jones's shot was blocked by Reynolds and as Bryan collected the rebound he was tripped by Ellis Rush for a penalty.
Bryan got up to take it himself and although he scored, the referee ordered him to retake the penalty for not waiting for the whistle. Reynolds saved the retaken spot kick with a dive to his right.
It wasn't long though before Bryan made amends in style. A free kick from Fayed was headed half clear and Bryan lashed the ball into the top corner on the volley.
Harewood put Hayes out of harm's way when he tapped home Jones's cross shot at the far post.
Andy Shaw hit the cross bar for Buckingham as they sought a way back into the game, but in general, Hayes were comfortable from then until the final whistle.
Report by Nick Bell.
