As starts to the league campaign goes, it is hard to think of a worse one. With Reece Turner in caretaker charge of the side, for just the one game, following the departure of Sam Morgan, Rovers reverted to a back four and looked to make a positive start.
That hope lasted a mere 8 seconds. From the kick off Hayes & Yeading launched the ball into the left channel and as debutant keeper Mac Chisholm came for the ball he was fractionally late, hauling down Wraynel Hercules. Adrian Clifton stepped up, waited for Chisholm to dive and calmly rolled the ball the other way.
If that was bad it was worse for Rovers on three minutes. Gifting possession back to the visitors, a neat Cole Brown ball set Jonathan Hippolyte away, and as Chisholm advanced he fired home to put Hayes & Yeading 2-0 up and with a dream start to their campaign.
The crazy start continued, almost from kick off, Tyrese Osborne released Jayden Smith on the right and his low cut back found the on-rushing Noah Africa and the teenager stroked home his first goal for SCR to give them some hope.
Hayes continued to prod and probe, and a quick free kick on 12 minutes ended with a shot from Clifton flying just over the Rovers bar.
Rovers had a chance to level on 16 minutes, Africa found Smith but his shot bought a comfortable save out of Hayes & Yeading keeper Juliusz Pazio. Hayes were continuing to hold the upper hand though and almost increased their lead on 27 minutes when Perri Iandolo found Clifton but his shot was well blocked by Bert Lloyd.
The third goal came on the half hour, a long throw into the Rovers areas was not properly dealt with and as Chisholm and Kwabena Osei impeded each other, not allowing a clean clearance the loose ball was acrobatically turned in by Clifton. Hani Berchiche fired over shortly after, before a mazy run by Akinnibi looked to have created Rovers a chance but overplaying in the end cost all chances of a shot at goal.
Akinnibi then dragged an effort just wide of the right hand post as Rovers looked to give themselves something to cling onto going into the second half, but half time came with the visitors in control.
After the excitement of the first half, the second half was something of a damp squib as both sides pretty much cancelled each other out.
Iandolo saw a free kick for the visitors saved by Chisolm, and at the other end a shot on the left from Akinnibi saw Pazio only half save the shot but no Rovers player was following up and Will Salmon cleared the danger for the visitors.
Lloyd turned a long Ben Holden throw straight into the grateful arms of Pazlo before a fierce drive by Aaron Lamont went narrowly over the bar.
Full time came with a deserved win for the visitors.
A mention to for the referee Jonathon Wilks, near faultless on the day and fantastic communication to the players throughout.