Hayes & Yeading went into the final home game of the season pretty much knowing that a defeat would see them relegated from the National League (former Conference) system for the first time since the North & South divisions were created, sadly the poor performances of late were to continue as the visiting Romans marched back to Somerset with all three points and safety for themselves.

The first noteworthy chance of the game did go the way of United in just the fifth minute though. James Hamon caught a crossed ball and fired a quick kick up field to Elliot Benyon who flicked on to Luke Williams who hit a first time volley that only just cleared the Romans crossbar.

The visitors then started to take control of the ball and the chances. Andy Watkins received the ball in the United box and fired across goal, just missing the far corner with his low strike before Ashley Kington gained possession 40 yards out and seeing Hamon off his line tried to chip him, the ball just clearing the crossbar with Hamon scrambling in reverse.

Hamon came to United’s rescue after 22 minutes when Watkins pounced on a weak defensive clearance the United stopper doing well do block away the wingers effort.

Ten minutes later another opening finally presented itself to United as Benyon again fed Williams, his first shot was blocked by a defender and his follow up effort was held by veteran ‘keeper Steve Phillips in the Romans goal.

Benyon himself then fired wide on the turn having brought a deep Darren Purse cross under control in the box and as the half closed at the other end, a free-kick from halfway was flicked on to Chas Hemmings whose goalbound header was well held by the diving Hamon.

With other results at the bottom going against United at the break, a sharp start to the second half was called for, sadly the sharp start was made by the visitors who within sixteen minutes put themselves two ahead, both from the penalty spot.

Ten minutes of the half had been played when an awful high Purse back-pass left Hamon in a pickle, the ‘keeper having to control the ball on his chest and as he went to kick it clear, David Pratt nipped in and was brought down with referee awarding a spot kick but choosing thankfully to keep his cards in his pocket. Liam Kelly stepped up and coolly sent Hamon the wrong way to give the Romans the lead.

Six minutes later the ball was back on the same penalty spot, Pratt contested the ball with Adetayo Osifuwa running in to the United box with the Romans striker hitting the grass with no apparent challenge being made, unbelievably the referee again pointed to the spot, to the amazement of pretty much everybody in the ground. Kelly again stepped up and this time smashed the ball into the roof of Hamon’s goal to all but seal United’s relegation.

Things went from bad to worse on seventy minutes when yet another weak pass in midfield went straight to Romans substitute Nick McCootie, who had only been on the pitch about 30 seconds, and he raced past two defenders before firing easily past Hamon to condemn United to defeat.

With just a few minutes remaining United finally created an opening that could have brought a consolation goal. Tom Collins made good space on the right and crossed to Benyon, his header was pushed away by Phillips and the Romans were soon marching towards the United goal where Watkins cut the ball back to Billy Murphy, Hamon making the save with Purse hacking the ball clear.

So at the final whistle the curtain came down, barring a miracle, on United’s stay in the National League system.

We finish up at Gosport next Saturday and will then have to start a massive rebuilding effort to find some bouncebackability for next season, be it in the Ryman Premier or Evo-Stick Southern Premier but most importantly I would hope it will be playing home games back in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Report by Kevin Watts.

Photos by Brian Matthews.

United Man of the Match: Adam Everitt.

Print the Teamsheet: Here.