Isthmian South Central 12 April 2025
Leatherhead 2
- Matthew Everitt (45+3’)
- Kareem Akinnibi (54’)
Hanworth Villa 1
- Louis Collins (88’)
Match Report
Hanworth Villa remained third despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to fellow promotion play-off chasers Leatherhead at Fetcham Grove.
The home side struck late in the first half through Matthew Everitt before Kareem Akinnibi capitalised on a second-half defensive mix-up to double their lead. Substitute Louis Collins struck late but could not prevent Leatherhead from sealing a league double over Villa.
While Villa’s three-match winning run came to an end, we are still in pole position to secure a play-off spot with an extra game in hand against Ascot United to be played on Tuesday.
The play-off race is heating up though, with just five points between Villa, who are on 71 points, Kingstonian, Ascot, Hayes & Yeading United (all 69), Moneyfields (67) and Leatherhead (66). Uxbridge are in second on 75 points.
Manager Simon Haughney said: “I thought it was a thoroughly deserved win for Leatherhead. In the first half they had four or five clear cut chances to our zero. We improved in the second half but it was too little too late.
“You can’t keep starting games like that and expecting to win them. We spoke about how we’d have liked to start the game today but we didn’t do any of that.
“I didn’t really go with my gut today with the team, so I’ve got to look at myself. The players have given their best so I apologise to the supporters and the club.”
From kick off, it was hard to believe the same Leatherhead side suffered a humiliating 10-0 defeat to Uxbridge just last Saturday. The home side started with vigour and energy, pinning Villa’s defenders back into our own half.
In the ninth minute, a terrific free-kick delivery from Everitt found its way to Tyler D’Cruz, who smashed a half volley against the crossbar.
Six minutes later, it was D’Cruz again who powered a header from inside the six-yard box after Akinnibi put in a lofted cross from the right touchline. But Villa goalkeeper Mark Smith produced a world class reaction save to deny D’Cruz with an outstretched leg.
The chances kept coming for Leatherhead, as Villa struggled to gain control of the midfield. Later in the half, Marco Haigh and Everitt both had half-chances but put their efforts over the bar.
Right before the interval though, the home side got their deserved breakthrough in the third minute of injury time after catching Villa out on the counter attack.
Akinnibi raced down the right flank and although his cross was headed clear, Everitt picked up the loose ball and stroked it into the bottom corner of the net.
Villa have picked up more than 20 points from losing positions this season, but Leatherhead’s dominance continued in the second half.
In the 54th minute, the home side had their second after captain Kane Fitzgerald’s strike was blocked, but Akinnibi was on hand to slot past Smith from the edge of the six-yard box.
Past the hour mark, Haughney brought on defender Guy Ansah-Palmer for winger Abdullah Javaid and switched to a back three.
The tactical change helped Villa regain control of the game. Substitute Shane Dunne’s corner fell kindly onto Ansah-Palmer’s head, but the effort, destined for the top corner, was tipped over by goalkeeper Harvey Keogh.
After Sam Merson fired over the bar, Villa’s lifeline came from an unlikely source in the 88th minute.
Substitute Louis Collins lashed a volley into the net via the underside of the crossbar with his first touch of the game.
Despite the referee allowing almost 10 minutes of injury time, Villa did not find an equaliser.
Defeat for Villa meant the tie against Ascot on Tuesday will have increased significance.
Haughney added: “One thing I will not do is get too low after today. This was another twist. Ascot have had a really big win today and we’ve got to react to that.”