Hayes & Yeading United (2)2 Bath City (0)0

[Kelston Koppite]

Bath City’s recent poor run of form continued on its downward spiral as they produced a miserable performance against struggling Hayes & Yeading United at York Road.  The hosts, currently ground sharing with Maidenhead United, needed victory to ensure their Vanarama Conference South survival, and this was effectively achieved by virtue of City’s calamitous defending in the opening 12 minutes of the contest.

The game was played out on a hard, dusty and uneven surface that, alongside a deceptively gusty wind blowing down the slope, made constructive football almost impossible, but it was United who adapted better to the conditions.  

With the gradient and elements in their favour, the home side quickly put the Bath defence under pressure, and Jason Mellor was called upon to save Christian Smith’s curling free kick in the 3rd minute.  A minute later, Hayes were in front when a corner from the right was allowed to travel across the face of goal, and the unmarked Dean Inman planted a firm header into the corner of the net.

The visitors were unable to make any impression on proceedings, and the lead was almost extended on 9 minutes.  Greg Morgan’s cross into the box picked out Robbie Matthews, whose header was brilliantly saved by Mellor.

Frankie Artus drove a free-kick into the home defensive wall after Nick McCootie had been tripped, but United doubled their advantage after 12 minutes in freakish circumstances.  Morgan, out wide on the right and close to the halfway line, hoofed the ball aimlessly downfield and, crucially, Mellor momentarily stumbled as he began to back-peddle.  Aided by the wind and an exaggerated bounce, the ball eluded the stranded keeper and, almost in slow motion, serenely entered the unguarded net.

The hosts were now happy to sit back on their lead, but City were unable make any inroads going forward.  Indeed, Hayes came closest to adding to the scoreline in the 25th minute when Phil Walsh gave the ball away to Morgan on the edge of the box, but Mellor made a timely challenge to avert the danger.

The visitors finally produced a shot at goal on 34 minutes when Dan Ball ran at the home defence, but his eventual effort was wildly high over the crossbar and landed somewhere deep in central Maidenhead.

The final chance of the half fell to the home side, but Smith’s header was wide of Mellor’s far post following a corner from the right.

Andy Gallinagh was replaced by Ross Stearn ahead of the resumption as City attempted to find a way back into the match. There was an improvement in the tempo and urgency thereafter, but they still struggled to exert any sustained pressure on the United defence.  Dave Pratt ran on to a through ball in the 47th minute but, under pressure from George McLennon, fired wide of the near post.

McCootie found himself with a clear sight on goal on the hour mark, but could only shoot against keeper Grant Smith’s legs.  The ball looped invitingly into the air but, as it dropped, the striker headed wide of the target.  Three minutes later Stearn won a free kick 25 yards from goal following a foul by Adam Everitt, which earned the latter a yellow card.  The substitute dusted himself down, and then saw his shot come back off the face of the crossbar with the keeper beaten.  Pratt attempted to force home the rebound but was in an offside position.

Andy Watkins came on for Artus, but was unable to exert any influence on proceedings as City’s challenge petered out.  Stearn’s 65th minute cross caused Grant Smith some concern as he was forced to claw the ball away from under his crossbar, but he was not called into any further serious action.  McCootie’s volley from 20 yards was well over the bar and, with 4 minutes left on the clock, the same player headed wide of the far post following Chris Allen’s cross from the right.

The final whistle was greeted by the home fans as their side successfully avoided relegation, but there was precious little to cheer for the travelling support.   It can only be hoped that the side can lift themselves for the remaining three games so that their season can be prevented from an ignominious conclusion.  

Hayes & Yeading United: Grant Smith, Jim Fenlon, George McLennan, Adam Everitt, Lewis Ferrell, Dean Inman, Greg Morgan, Christian Smith, Robbie Matthews, Luke Williams, Rhys Murrell-Williamson. Subs: Emmanuel Monthe, Dominic Green, Jack Thomson-Wheeler, Chinedu Vine, Calum Kitscha.

Bath City: Jason Mellor, Sekani Simpson, Andy Gallinagh (Ross Stearn 46), Phil Walsh, Chas Hemmings, Naby Diallo, Chris Allen, Frankie Artus (Andy Watkins 64), Dave Pratt, Nick McCootie, Dan Ball. Subs not used: Dan Bowman, Pat Keary, Ashley Kington.

Referee: Chris O'Donnell.

Attendance: 228.