Phil Babb’s Hayes & Yeading fell to a fifth consecutive defeat as Bath City ran out two goal victors on a night of extreme wind and rain at Kingfield.
United gave home debuts to both Inih Effiong and Ryan Blake and it was the former who carved out the first opening of the game in the eighth minute. Adam Everitt’s long throw dropped to the United striker who hit a 20 yarder that just cleared Jason Mellor’s goal.
Within a minute United were again looking dangerous as Kamaron English received the ball in the box but he could not scramble it from under his foot, his eventual shot was blocked to Effiong who saw his effort deflect off a defenders boot before spinning agonisingly wide of the post.
With the rain shortly to commence and the pitch already heavy and sandy after Woking’s match 24 hours previous, the Romans nearly snatched the lead on 20 minutes when David Pratt was sent away down the right flank, his low centre being cut out by Jack Mills on the far post as Andy Watkins slid in.
Watkins had another chance shortly after when an Andy Gallinagh cross from the right dropped dead on the turf in front of Jamie Young and the Romans striker could only poke the ball wide.
Six minutes from the break and with the rain starting to fall, the home side had what was to be our best opening of the game. Everitt’s deep corner was headed back into the mix by Dean Inman to English who saw his close rnage effort well turned around the post by Mellor.
United looked to have dodged a bullet in stoppage time as Young made a fine diving save to push a rasping Noah Keats effort around the post. Sadly it was to no avail though as United froze as the resultant corner was played short to Josh Low, his curling effort was deflected onto the post with Pratt on hand to tap home at the far post.
With the rain and wind gathering pace the second half was devoid of many chances although a few minutes in Daniel Wishart forced a save from Meller as he unleashed a drive from the edge of the box after good build up play by Geoff Mitchell.
Mitchell himself then had an effort from range comfortably fielded by Mellor before another defensive lapse 20 minutes from time saw Young and Charlie Wassmer appear to leave a through ball to each other which enabled Watkins to nip between them and guide the ball into the United net.
Five minutes from time another mix up at the back saw United almost concede a third when a swirling ball was left by both United’s Young and Bath’s Pratt with Wassmer running around the paid to clear any imminent danger.
The last real action saw Young hold a drive from distance from Romans substitute Ross Stearn as referee Harris drew the game to its conclusion.
Report by Kevin Watts.
United Man of the Match: Daniel Wishart.
Print the Teamsheet: Here.
