Away | 29 July 2025
By | Ervin Ang
Hanworth Villa put up a brave performance to draw 0-0 against National League South's Hampton and Richmond Borough FC.
Simon Haughney's men were the better team for most parts, unfazed by the prospect of facing a team sat two tiers above us. The commendable result against Step 2 opposition also meant we maintained our unbeaten pre-season record.
At Beveree Stadium, Villa started positively with the intent to keep possession and patiently work our way into the final third. We had the better chances to score early on.
The first big chance arrived in the 21st minute, as Ben Geraghty raced down the right flank and put in a sumptuous cross into the box. It fell kindly into Aston Nunn's path, who fired a first-time volley straight into the palms of the Hampton goalkeeper.
Five minutes later, Villa had a penalty appeal waved away. Nunn appeared to have been tripped inside the Hampton penalty box but the referee thought otherwise.
Nunn had another golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 41st minute. After weaving his way past multiple Hampton defenders, he forced a top save from the goalkeeper.
Just three minutes after the interval, Hampton had the ball into the back of our net but we were bailed out by the offside flag. Mark Smith produced a superb diving save to keep out a low strike from the Hampton #25, before the rebound was put in by an offside attacker.
In the 83rd minute, Hampton had the best opportunity of the game from a counter attack. The ball was played right across the six-yard box, but Smith again made himself big to deny the Hampton striker from point-blank range.
Neither side could score the decisive goal in a closely fought contest, where a casual fan might have struggled to identify which was the Step 2 team.
Villa will play our final pre-season friendly against Southern League South side Walton & Hersham FC at the Elmbridge Sports Hub. Kick off is at 2pm on Saturday, 2nd August.
