Babb rues missed chances after defeat

Hayes and Yeading boss Phil Babb says a lack of firepower cost his side in their 3-1 defeat at Eastbourne Borough on Monday.

United trailed 1-0 at the break despite having the better of the first half chances and fell 2-0 down early in the second half when a sliced clearance from goalkeeper Charlie Crowley was fired back into the net by Eastbourne’s Simon Johnson.

Pat Cox reduced the arrears almost immediately and United applied sustained pressure during the second half, only to be caught on the break by a third goal late on.

Babb told West London Sport: “We had five clear-cut chances in the first 20 minutes of the game, we just didn’t have the quality in front of goal.

“It could have been done and dusted but Conference South football tends to slap you in the face and this was no exception.

“Even at half-time the lads were thinking we’ve got enough about us to go and win the game 2-1 or maybe 3-1.

“It was disappointing because it was there for us to secure safety today but it wasn’t to be and now we go down to the wire.”

United will be confirmed as safe on Wednesday if Maidenhead lose at Havant and Waterlooville.

However, Babb is preparing his players for a final-day shootout when United host Dover in their last match sharing at Woking.

He said: “It’s in our hands if we win on Saturday. It’s the last game at Woking, maybe there’s a script there.

“I’ve told the lads it’s time for boys to turn into men. Some of them will find out if they’ve got the mettle to be footballers at this level.

“We’ve got enough to get a result against Dover. Let’s just hope we can do it on the day.”

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