Isthmian League – South Central Division
Wednesday 20 March 2024
Guernsey 0
Hanworth Villa 5
- Sam Merson (2′)
- Sam Merson (45′)
- Sam Merson (45’+2)
- Sam Mead (62′)
- Sam Merson (81′)
Match report
Hanworth Villa faced the daunting task of visiting our Channel Island opponents midweek following the postponement of the original Saturday fixture a month ago.
Simon Haughney, the Villa boss was faced with having only 11 of the main squad available to travel but was able to bring in two new signings – Quincy Patterson and Charlie Hathaway (who, up to now may have served you a drink at the Hanworth bar). However, both players have a lot of football experience and fitted in straight away.
How we lined up
Starting 11
- 1 Harvey Rackley-Hayes
- 2 Kyron Richards
- 3 Aston Nunn
- 4 Guy Ansah-Palmer
- 5 Matthew Gbio
- 6 George Wells
- 7 Gagendeep Samra
- 8 Louis Collins
- 9 Kyen Nicholas
- 10 Sam Mead
- 11 Sam Merson
Substitutes
- 12 Quincy Patterson (replaced Nicholas 85′)
- 14 Charlie Hathaway (replaced Merson 85′)
Kick off
Attendance: 421
Spirits were high at kick off and it certainly didn’t take long for Hanworth Villa to make their intentions of clear. Just two minutes into the game and a long ball from George Wells was well controlled by Sam Merson whose shot was deflected by Vaudin over his keeper and into the net to give Villa an early lead.
0-1 Sam Merson (2′)
Guernsey had a couple of chances to level things up, the best coming on 33 minutes with Owen Wallbridge delivering a lovely low cross that went through everyone with Hanworth able to clear their lines.
The rest of the half seemed as if it was going to fizzle out with Villa going in with a solitary goal. But into first half stoppage time Kyen Nicholas showed great skill to turn and deliver a pin-point ball through to Merson who maintained his composure to curl the ball around Christian Povall in the Guernsey goal.
0-2 Sam Merson (45′)
As the half drew to a close Villa had their tails up and Aston Nunn delivered a ball from wide on on the left which got past two Guernsey players who could do little but watch it drop into the path of Merson who made no mistake in firing the ball into the back of the net.
Villa with a 3-0 lead at half time thanks to a hat trick from Merson.
0-3 Sam Merson (45’+2)
Second half
It was a slow start to the half with neither side producing much attacking threat until the 62nd minute. Merson allowed a forward pass to pass over his head, then outrun the Guernsey defence, before picking out the unmarked Sam Mead on the edge of box. Mead launched a perfect strike placing the ball beyond the reach of the keeper and into the bottom corner.
0-4 Sam Mead (62′)
With the game out of reach of the Channel Islands side and us comfortably winning we then had 20 minutes of play that really didn’t produce much for either side.
Roary takes a tumble
The only notable moment was in the 69th minute when the Guernsey mascot, Roary the lion, attempted to vault the crowd barrier around the tunnel, and ended up flat on the floor with the barriers all over the place. This provided some light relief for the home fans, but Hanworth were not going to let Roary have the limelight adding a fifth goal in the 81st minute.
0-5 Sam Merson (81′)
Merson not content with just a hat-trick bagged himself his fourth of the night – a loose ball picked up in midfield by Louis Collins was lofted forwards to Merson who outpaced his man to go one on one with the home keeper – Merson controlled, picked his spot placing it low under the keeper.
Hanworth content with a 5-0 made a double substitution giving debuts to Charlie Hathaway and Quincy Patterson, replacing Kyen Nicolas and Sam Merson. Both debutants showed they were not there just to make up numbers showing great strength and energy, helping the team to ensure a clean sheet was achieved. Guernsey had probably their best chance of the game deep into stoppage time but couldn’t force a consolation goal. The home side drove down the right with Cauvin unleashing a fierce shot which had everyone beat but it collided with the post and back across the six-yard box with the follow-up shot weak and wide.
Final score: Guernsey 0, Hanworth Villa 5
All in all, a very professional performance from a depleted Villa side who showed strength and determination and meant the team could fly back to England content they more than did their club and the six travelling supporters and staff proud.
We even got a mention on the BBC website
Guernsey FC lose 5-0 at home to Hanworth Villa as poor run goes on – BBC Sport
