Home | 29 April 2026
Ansah-Palmer heroics fire Villa into play-off final
by | Ervin Ang
The script couldn’t have been better written.
Hanworth Villa’s longest serving player Guy Ansah-Palmer, 34, scores twice as we beat Moneyfields 5-1 to return to the Isthmian League South Central promotion play-off final for a second year running.
When our trusty defender first stepped onto the pitch at Rectory Meadow in March 2019, Villa were bottom of the league in Step 5.
“It started as a loan (from Westfield), and the team was struggling,” he said. “I got here before Simon, so it’s a different team, completely new players. I didn’t know anything about the club.
“I don’t remember my debut, but I remember knowing I wanted to stay for longer.”
Seven years later, Guy has lived up to his word and Villa are on the precipice of reaching Step 3 for the first time in our club’s history.
Manager Simon Haughney said: "We're not meant to have favourites, but he's mine because I think club men now are a dying breed.
“It probably costs him more to come to football, but he's a great lad. We had a good chat on the phone today and last night. Warrior. Guy typifies everything about our football club.”
After Westfield’s dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout win (1-1 draw in normal time) over Portchester in the other semi-final, Villa will face Westfield at Woking Park on Sunday, May 3, in a winner-takes-all clash for promotion to Step 3.
“It's probably our best performance of the season,” said Haughney. “We've kept the best performance for the semi-finals. I thought they were exceptional … brilliant from everyone.”
Villa’s hunger and intent were apparent from kick-off, immediately putting pressure on the Moneyfields defence by winning a throw in deep in the opposition half.
Inside the opening 10 minutes, Ben Mulley and Ben Geraghty galloped down the flanks and created danger in the penalty area, before Brandon Chebby rattled the side netting from a tight angle.
But the opening goal came against the run of play in the 12th minute, when Moneyfields’ Alfie Bridgman broke free on the right and fired past Dickinson.
Ten minutes later, Villa’s persistence paid off from a Brandon Curtis set-piece.
Our midfield maestro’s initial delivery was cleared high into the air by a Moneyfields defender, but Guy smartly nipped in front of the goalkeeper and timed his jump to perfection to nod Villa level.
Just before the half hour mark, Chebby doubled Villa’s advantage with a pinpoint left-footed finish after striding past his marker.
The goals kept flowing In the 44th minute, when Guy sent the home crowd wild once more with a superbly placed header into the bottom corner from another Curtis free-kick.
The club legend has a penchant for scoring in the biggest moments, having netted in last season’s play-off semi-final win over Ascot United, and again in the final against Uxbridge on his 150th appearance for the club though Villa lost 2-1.
Villa were dealt a blow on the hour mark when right-back Marco Correia had to be stretchered off the pitch after appearing to land on his ankle while attempting a shot from outside the box.
Correia’s replacement, Jack Timberlake, nearly made an instant impact when he chipped a ball towards Mulley at the back post who couldn’t find the angle to finish.
Heading into the closing stages, Bridgman had a golden opportunity to cut our lead to one but miscued his left-footed volley with a gaping goal in front of him.
Then came an absolute thunderbolt from Mulley in the 83rd minute, who thumped a bullet of a strike into the top corner.
There was time for Liam Ferdinand to add a fifth goal deep into the 13th of 14 stoppage time minutes to put the tie to bed.
It was the cherry on top of a magnificent Villa performance as we deservedly return to the play-off final.
About facing Westfield in the final, Haughney added: "Westfield, fair play to them, have had a great season with Andy. Fully respect those lads.
"They were the better team over the season so they get the home advantage.
“We just have to give our best and that's all we can do.”
