The two teams fought out a draw on a difficult surface but neither will be happy with a point in such a compact Blue Square Bet South division.
Hayes & Yeading United's preparations were severely hampered by the local traffic as two regular starters got stuck and had to be named as substitutes instead. However, a full debut was issued to Sam Corcoran who looked composed in midfield and an uncharacteristic 3-5-2 formation was adopted for the first time as caretaker manager Tony O'Driscoll set about changing United's recent fortunes.
Bromley started the game the brighter of the two teams. Former United forward Pierre Joseph-Dubois looked dangerous throughout and it was his pass which found fellow frontman Louie Theophanous, but the striker skewed his shot wide. Then from Ishmael Welch's corner, Mike Jones got up highest but headed just over. The visitors maintained their momentum and after Sanchez Ming's drifting cross hurried Jerome Anderson into a clearance, Jones flicked the ball on to Joseph-Dubois whose shot was blocked at the near post by Brandon Hall.
United's first effort on goal came after good work by John Goddard released Anderson and although his cross was deflected to the back post, Daniel Brathwaite was able to loop a header towards goal which Joe Welch read and fielded comfortably.
Joseph-Dubois and Theophanous both continued to look dangerous for the Lilywhites as the former sent in a low centre which the latter diverted onto the inside of the post and watched the rebound go agonisingly all the way across goal and away to safety. From the other flank, Ishmael Welch got in a great position behind the home defence but rather surprisingly refused the shot and cut the ball back to Jones whose shot was deflected just over by Pelé.
United almost hit Bromley on the break as a long Hall free kick landed at Tom Collins's feet and he turned before hitting a bouncing long shot which Joe Welch watched attentively into his hands.
A busy first half wasn't finished there. Theophanous hit the upright for a second time after neat footwork created room folowing a passing move involving Ming and Ishmael Welch. Then Ali Fuseini's well struck free kick was gathered in by Hall at the second attempt.
It was admittedly against the run of play when United broke the deadlock from their own long range free kick. Although Tom Cadmore's piledriver was blocked by the wall, it couldn't prevent the ball spinning behind them and Collins was alert enoguh to take it towards goal and roll the ball past Joe Welch.
After such a hectic first half, it was somewhat disappointing that the attempts on goal really dried up after the break as both teams struggled to retain possession on a pitch which had really cut up. Despite the probings of John Goddard and substitute Sam Cox, United's forwards were unable to capitalise and produce any shots to threaten Joe Welch's goal.
Bromley were able to fashion just a few chances themselves. Danny Waldren curled a free kick just over the bar, but there seemed to be little threat until a breakdown in communication between Hall and Adam Bygrave saw the defender unnecessarily attempt to play a difficult long ball and his miscue let in Theophanous on the left. Although his angle was tight, he had support once again from Joseph-Dubois who tapped in his low cross.
Hall got off his line quickly to deny Ishmael Welch on another one on one, with the former United triallist this time electing to shoot and although the keeper was able to reduce the velocity of the ball, it spun dangerously towards goal with two forwards rushing in until Cadmore completed a crucial clearance.
It wasn't until literally the last kick of the game until the next effort on goal and once again, it was Bromley who came close, but Soloman Taiwo's free kick was well saved by a diving Hall and Mr Powell ended a contest which promised much in the first half but fizzled out in the latter stages.
Report by Nick Bell.
United Man of the Match: John Goddard.
