MIKE Hayes described the scenes as ‘carnage’ after scoring the goal which sealed promotion for 1874 Northwich.
The striker netted the only goal of the play-off final victory over arch-rivals Northwich Victoria at the Apec Taxis Stadium in Runcorn on Saturday.
Hayes, who recently returned to the side from a 16-week injury lay-off, said he thought his moment of glory had disappeared when Vics keeper Andre Mendes brilliantly saved one-handed the striker’s initial shot after chasing down a perfectly weighted Craig Pritchard ball over the top.
“The keeper made a really good save to be fair to him,” said 38-year-old Hayes, who joined 1874 last summer from Flint Mountain.
“I thought the chance had gone but I managed to keep the ball in play. I think it might have been Dale (Jennings) or ‘Pritch’ coming in on the edge of the box which gave me the diversion to fake the pass and just whip it into the corner post.”
Hayes knew his 69 th -minute strike was going in as soon as it departed his left boot and he threw himself to the mass of 1874 supporters behind the goal.
“It was all carnage after that, there were limbs everywhere,” he said.
MAGIC HAYES 🪄
A perfectly weighted through ball from Craig Pritchard played in Mike Hayes, his initial effort was saved but the rebound was expertly finished from the tight angle 😮💨#WeAre74 #WeAreGoingUp pic.twitter.com/ZRYWXP6ahm— 1874 Northwich (@1874Northwich) April 25, 2026
Although it was Hayes’ 17 th goal of the season that booked his side’s place in the Northern Premier League next season, he felt the tide had started to swing after the break.
“It was a game that could have gone either way, but I did feel that for the first 20 minutes of the second half we gained momentum,” said Hayes, who used to be the strike partner to 1874’s manager Chris Herbert at Connah’s Quay.
“They (Vics) were just relying on the long ball but our big defenders were swallowing it up, picking up second balls.”
During his time injured, Hayes felt motivated by the team’s performances to leave no stone unturned in his bid to regain fitness.
“The drive to get back playing was to be ready for the play-offs,” he said.
“The lads were doing their job on the pitch, picking up the points to keep us in the promotion spots and I came back fully fit at the right time and hit the ground running.
“I’m absolutely buzzing, obviously for myself getting the goal but also for the fans, the players and the caching staff.
“All season the focus has been getting promotion and we’ve done it the hard way.
“We wanted to win the league but we went the second option.
“We’ll regroup for the new season and the new league.”
Herbert said Hayes delivered what he had been brought in to do.
“He scores goals, that’s what he’s there for. It’s worth everything to us and next year he’ll do well for us in the higher league as well.
“He’s got pace, he gets goals no matter where he is and has done throughout his career.”
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