Hayes & Yeading United succumbed to a clinical second half goal blitz from Boreham Wood to end up on the wrong side of a 0-3 scoreline.

Despite matching their hosts stride for stride in the first half, the second half was a struggle for Nas Bashir’s men as their five match unbeaten run came to quite an emphatic ending.

The first half was largely a battle of power in midfield. Sam Cox, playing against his former club, toiled away, breaking up the threat of many Wood attacks and John Goddard probed forward from his central position. With Alassane N’Diaye up front, United had an outlet for the longer pass and a route towards wingers Luke Williams and Daniel Wishart. However, Wood were resilient, physical and well organised so United had to be patient for their openings.

It was a similar story at the other end although in Chez Isaac, they had a creative spark who made opportunities for both former United men, Graeme Montgomery and Michael Thalassitis, both of whom shot off target. Brandon Hall comfortably fielded the first shot on target for either side on 25 minutes as Mario Noto’s free kick bounced straight into his hands.

N’Diaye met Daniel Brathwaite’s deep cross with a powerful header soon afterwards as James Russell’s poorly directed short goal kick was intercepted by Wishart who orchestrated the attack. However, his effort flew just over.

Thalassitis took to the right wing to set up the next Wood attack but his low cross fizzed across the goalmouth without anyone able to direct it in. United responded as Jamie Hand’s free kick put Pele and Callum Reynolds into an aerial duel and the ball dropped to Brathwaite whose firm goalbound shot was eventually blocked by the diving Reynolds.

Greg Morgan volleyed over from a good position in a snap shot as Thalassitis had flicked on Isaac’s cross but the 0-0 half time scoreline accurately reflected the closeness and the dominance of defence in both teams.

Quite soon into the second half, it became apparent that Wood were to continue in their stubbornness in defence but mistakes crept into United’s game and this proved crucial. Ben Nunn’s pass was allowed to slip through the midfield and United’s defenders seemed indecisive, allowing Thalassitis the time to thump a fierce shot against the crossbar. Morgan reacted first to the loose ball, crossed it in unchallenged from the left and Thalassitis had a straightforward header which he looped into the bottom corner of the net.

Five minutes later, with United defenders convinced of a foul in the build up, a low centre was blocked by Cox but handled by Brathwaite and a penalty was awarded which Noto converted, sending Hall the wrong way.

Just nine minutes later, Wood punished United further with arguably the best goal Bashir’s men have conceded all season. Once more, it started with what looked like a foul, this time on N’Diaye, but Mark Jones’s long ball out of defence was sublimely flicked beyond the United defence by Montgomery who accelerated onto it himself and smashed the ball into the bottom corner.

Wood’s job was done and although United enjoyed a lot of possession in the final quarter of the game, there was little opportunity for strikes on goal and the hosts seemed quite comfortable. One final disappointment arrived on 85 minutes when substitute Kudus Oyenuga was sent off for a foul on Nunn, which although it was late and strong, was barely different to other challenges that were met with a yellow card or even just a warning previously, despite it being his first offence.

United will be hoping for better luck and certainly better cohesion for their visit to Chelmsford on Saturday.

Report by Nick Bell.

United Man of the Match: John Goddard.

© Sam Cox