Isthmian South Central 15 April 2025
Hanworth Villa 0
Ascot United 0
Match Report
In a high-stakes match of few chances, Hanworth Villa battled hard to earn a 0-0 draw against Ascot United at Rectory Meadow.
Villa stayed third on 72 points and will need two wins (or less if chasing teams drop points) from our remaining three games — against Uxbridge, Met Police and Horndean — to guarantee a promotion play-off spot.
Ascot moved up to fourth on 70 points ahead of a tightly-bunched chasing pack including Kingstonian, Hayes & Yeading United (both 69), Moneyfields (67) and Leatherhead (66).
Manager Simon Haughney, who switched to a back three today, conceded a draw was a fair result.
He said: “I thought we matched them in terms of shape. They had an extra man in midfield but we had an extra one up front. Both teams fully blooded and both defended set pieces tremendously well.
“No Merse tonight, so we just opted for a back three and we just thought we’d have a physical encounter. We knew from last time that it would be something similar, as they’re an aggressive, big physical side.
“We decided to match them and have a fight. When you see performances like George (Wells) and Rayan (Djouadj) today, who haven’t been selected for the past two or three games, I thought they showed a real endeavour.”
Haughney was forced to ring in the changes with Sam Merson, Lucas Defise and Joe Peters ruled out for various reasons. Forward Dylan Randall was handed his first start since September last year while Ben Geraghty was also included from kick off.
The match started with a sombre atmosphere after a minute’s applause was immaculately observed, following the tragic passing of Ascot fan Paul Sarin during the previously abandoned fixture.
All profits from admissions went to Sarin’s family and you too can contribute on his Go Fund Me page to tide them through this difficult time.
Besides a couple of tame shots on target from Ben Mulley, the first half ebbed and flowed on without much notable action.
It was not until the 52nd minute when Ascot had their first real chance, as George Lock fired a left-footed volley just over the bar from a loose ball.
Villa were limited to chances from set-pieces, and nearly went ahead via a Louis Collins long throw in the 70th minute but Mulley’s effort was parried by goalkeeper Mark Scott.
Mercurial winger Abdullah Javaid was only introduced in the 82nd minute, and he nearly made an instant impact by creating a good chance after skinning the Ascot right-back with a terrific piece of skill.
Haughney added: “I don’t think Abz has been brilliant the last three or four games. When he’s on fire, I don’t think there’s a more electrifying winger out there but he has been hot and cold.
“I just felt today was a time like everyone, we’ve dropped the captain (Wells), so if you’re not quite doing it there’s other players working really hard to get in front of you.
“Louis Collins came on and scored last Saturday so he starts. It’s no favourtism to none of them. They’ve got to work harder when they get their position and it’s about staying consistent.”
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Villa had a late opportunity to snatch the three points. KJ Osu raced into Ascot’s half and threaded an inch-perfect through ball for Mulley, whose powerful strike towards the top corner was tipped away by Scott.
Villa will have a chance to return to winning ways against second-placed Uxbridge on Saturday, where a win would be a huge step towards securing a much-coveted play-off spot.
Haughney said: “We lose and other teams win around us, we find ourselves out of the play-offs. We win, we’ll be joint second. How exciting is that?
“Like I said to the boys, there’s no pressure. It’s me putting the pressure on myself and the players are just going to do what they are told.
“If we’re good enough, we make the play-offs and we must be good enough to get promoted otherwise it’ll be a waste of time.”