Home | 29 September 2026
Villa edge past Chichester to keep up good start
By | James Williams
Hanworth Villa kept up there fine start to this Southern League Premier South season with a tricky 2-1 win over Chichester City
Haydon Vaughan and Gio McGregor’s first half goals we’re enough for Villa to take all three points from Rectory Meadow despite a second half onslaught including Harry Bridle’s solitary goal.
With the important visit to Leatherhead in the FA Cup coming up 4 days later, Simon Haugheny and his staff may have a few difficult decisions to make for the side starting this game. Josh Casey drops out the squad allowing a competitive debut for Sam Sesay at the back. George Wells also comes back in but only for a spot on the bench.
Villa, like always, start the game fast and it only took just three minutes to break the deadlock. A chipped ball over the top by Toure Williams into the feet of Michael Harding set up the easiest of finishes for Haydon Vaughan, as Harding could slide it across to Vaughan to slot Villa into a fast lead.
Gio McGregor was the next man to come close for Villa. Williams was involved again as he plays a through ball to McGregor. He would be disappointed with his finish however, as he goes for power over placement and hits the side netting.
Villa kept up the intent for most of the half before grabbing their second on the 35th minute. This time, McGregor got the finish as the ball was put on a plate by Harding and similar to how Villa took the lead, they were doubling there reward.
Chichester tried to grab something late on in the half but there end ball was letting them down as Villa could see out the half with a two goal advantage.
A change in Chichester’s tactics at the break meant Villa could be in for a second half like the one a week earlier away to Berkhamsted which set up an uncomfortable next 45 for Haughney’s team.
Some half chances for both sides and some good attacking work from the visitors is all that really happened in the first 25 on the second period. Isaac Bello came the closest of the half on the 71st minute.
Former Villian, Brandon Chebby crossed for Bello who’s headed effort is dangerously close to the corner. A big let off for the home side.
After all the Chichester pressure, it eventually paid off. A short corner was headed back across the face of goal where Bridle was there to tap in and get the away side back into the game.
The next chance again for Chichester was dangerous. A ball onto the head of bridle was headed just over the bar of Tyla Dickinson.
With the game coming to a close. Villa we’re made to work hard again this time against a strong Chichester side. The three points kept Haughney’s side 3rd in the table, a point off 1st and 2nd place Uxbridge and Plymouth Parkway.
Speaking post match, Haughney said “I thought if you bring the Berkhamsted match into it, I thought it was the exact same. We come out firing, could have possibly been 3 or 4 with better decisions. Second half they put balls into certain areas and caused us problems. We we're hanging on in the end”.
All Villa’s attention will now to a huge clash in the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round away at Fetcham Grove to face Leatherhead. Saturday 3rd October, 3PM Kick-off.
