BASINGSTOKE Town winless start to the season continued at Hayes and Yeading as they went down 3-0.

The visitors made two changes to the side which drew 0-0 with Margate as Liam Enver-Marum came back into the forward line and new signing former Town star Matt Partridge returned after over a year at Dagenham and Redbridge.

The midfielder went straight into the starting line-up, but was unable to inspire the Dragons to victory, as instead they never recovered from conceding two goals in the first 45 minutes.

It looked promising in the opening minutes as Town’s Chris Flood had the first shot on target.

However, they soon found themselves a goal down as Alex Osborn was given far too much time down the left flank and his cross saw Elliot Benyon’s glancing header leave Aaron Howe with no chance.

This spurred the home side on and they always looked lively from then on and a good run by Ismael Ehui forced Will Salmon to foul him.

From 30-yards out a super strike from Jake Nicholson made it 2-0 after 25 minutes.

Town were in a hole and with little service to the front men it was no surprise they went in at the break still trailing 2-0.

For the start of the second-half striker Sam Akinde replaced Lloyd Macklin and he gave the attack a more physical approach.

The striker with his first touch from Louie Soares fired just wide and then a Tom Bird cross to the back post saw Flood hit the side netting.

Hayes kept looking for a third goal and a lovely move which carved up the home defence saw Nicholson’s sweet strike pushed onto the post by a great save by Howe and then Benyon fired the rebound from a tight angle off the crossbar.

Town hit back and with ball bouncing around the Hayes box, Enver-Marum on the turn has a shot blocked and then Akinde fired wide.

Hayes completed a great afternoon, it was just shame only 182 were there to see it, with a third goal.

Another nice move saw Ehui given room on the right and his nice pass into the area found Osborn in space and he slotted home with 15 minutes to go.

In the final minutes of the game, referee Lloyd Wood became a bit card happy as both Akinde and Soares were shown yellow card for challenges on Nicholson just outside the box.

The only good thing for Town is they do not have long to put things right as they face a visit from Gosport Borough on Monday at the Camrose.

PLAYER RATINGS

Aaron Howe - 7 (out of 10) Gazette Star Man

He had no chance with any of the three goals and made an excellent save in the second-half.

Will Salmon – 5

Needlessly gave away free-kick which led to second Hayes goal.

Tom Bird - 5

Great going forward, but caught out at the back.

James Harper – 5

Mr Invisible until he went off. Then I saw him as he stood in front of me.

Rob Rice – 5

Made some good challenges, but like all the defence found it hard.

David Ray – 5

A tough afternoon for him at the back against the lively Hayes front men.

Louie Soares – 6

The only one driving force in the midfield and always looked to try and do something with the ball even if it did not come off

Matt Partridge – 5

Not a brilliant return to the club just merged into the midfield.

Liam Enver-Marum – 5

Had little service, but when he did, wasted the chances Chris Flood – 6 Tried to make things happen and had a few shots on target.

Lloyd Macklin - 5

Had no service in the first 45 minutes, so never got into the game.

Sam Akinde (for Lloyd Macklin 46min) – 6

Looked lively when he came on and I would not be surprised if he starts against Gosport on Monday.

Harrison Gilkes (for James Harper 68min) – 6

More noticeable than Harper, but found it hard to put his stamp on the game Subs (not used) Manny Williams, Simon Dunn, Jay Gasson.

Hayes: Dan Lincoln, Jim Fenlon, Max Worsfold, Adam Everitt, Devante McKain, Ben Gerring (sub Lewis Ferrell 36min), Tyrell Miller-Rodney (sub Brendan Kiernan 68) , Jake Nicholson, Elliot Benyon, Ismael Ehui (sub Rhys Murrell-Williamson 80min), Alex Osborn.

Subs (not used) Erbil Bozkurt, Dylan Kearney .

Attendance - 182