Villa convincing away at Uxbridge

Isthmian League – South Central Division

Saturday 28th October 2023

Uxbridge 1

• James Gurteen (90′)

Hanworth Villa 3

• Finlay Macnab (19′)
• Guy Ansah-Palmer (33′)
• Finlay Macnab (55′)

Match report

Attendance 120

Hanworth made the short visit to Honeycroft, the home of Uxbridge FC. The playing surface has had a recent refurbishment, gone was the grass and in it’s place was a lush “state-of-the-art” 3G surface.

How we lined-up

Returning back in goal for Villa was Terry Buss, and up front Sam Mead replaced the unavailable Sam Merson.

First half

The first chance of the afternoon fell to the Hanworth in only the second minute, following an Uxbridge free kick. The ball was cleared, and The Villains found themselves in a three on one situation. Finlay Macnab was put through on goal, but McCorkell was quickly off his line to smother the shot.  

A minute later Hanworth had another opportunity to open the scoring. A long clearance from Buss, saw the Uxbridge defence stand and watch as Kyen Nicholas attacked the ball and McCorkell was forced to punch clear under pressure.  

Macnab picked up the loose ball and let fly, James Gurteen was in the right place to block his goal-bound shot.

A Dean Morgan floated effort over the bar was all the Reds had to show for their efforts in the opening fifteen minutes, as they struggled to find any fluidity to their passing.

Villa Macnab a goal: 0-1

Having gone close twice, Macnab made it third time lucky, scoring with a far-post header, from a well-rehearsed corner. McCorkel’s fingertips couldn’t prevent the ball crossing the line as he flung himself full-length in vain.  

Guy Ansah-Palmer scores: 0-2

Hanworth doubled their lead in the thirty-third minute from another set-piece. A free kick from the halfway line was hoisted into the box where George Wells headed across the face of goal for an unmarked Guy Ansah-Palmer to head home from the six-yard line.  

Uxbridge, having spent much of the half trying to pick out Morgan with long passes, finally got the ball on the deck and produced their best passage of play in a ninety second spell just before halftime. Passes were exchanged between the home side, which resulted in Lewis Patrick’s dangerous cross being volleyed clear by Wells for a corner.

From the half-cleared set-piece Brad Pagliaroli produced a cross which picked out Gurteen at the far-post, he was unable to keep his volley down and Buss was relieved to watch it sail over the bar.

Second half

Uxbridge needed a fast start to the second half if they were to find a way back into the game but found themselves three down within ten minutes of the restart.

Geraghty nets again: 0-3

Ben Geraghty won the ball and fed Macnab who played a neat one-two with Nicholas before slotting into the far-corner past McCorkell.  

The game at this point was effectively done and dusted. The Reds needing to find three goals in just over half-an-hour to somehow rescue at least a point. Considering they had failed to register a single shot on target in the previous fifty-five minutes, it was going to be a tall order.

Villa, through Nicholas, almost made it four three minutes later, but McCorkell was once again on hand pushing the shot from close range round the post.

Moments later he was down smartly at his near post to deny substitute Kyron Richards, as the visitors threatened to run riot. In an attempt to stem the tide Uxbridge were forced into a triple substitution in the sixty-second minute.

These changes saw the home side enjoy more of the play and they were awarded a penalty in the seventy-third minute when Ndukuba was bundled over as he made a run into the box.  

Buss makes a crucial penalty save

George Moore’s well struck spot-kick was saved by the boot of Buss as he dived the wrong way, and the ball spung up and over the bar.

Despite enjoying rather more of the play Uxbridge failed to create any worthwhile chances and Villa always looked dangerous on the break.  

McCorkell once again denying Nicholas with an outstretched arm as he attempted to lift the ball over him in the eighty-ninth minute.  

Uxbridge score consolation in the final moments: 1-3

Pagliaroli saw his rasping drive from the edge of the box just clear the crossbar in stoppage time before, and only seconds remaining, Gurteen grabbed a consolation goal with his sides second attempt on target.  

Picking the ball up just inside the box, the twinkle toed centre half dribbled his way past a defender and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot that flew past Buss into the roof of the net.  

Final score – 1-3

All-in-all it was a very good day “at the office” and a very workmanlike performance from Hanworth saw them heading home with a valuable three points.