Home | 26 September 2026
Villa Progress after close encounter in the FA Trophy
By | James Williams
Hanworth Villa progress in the FA Trophy with a tense win over Bishops Stortford. First half goals from Glenn Gabriel and Jack Timberlake for Villa, and the first of a brace from Frank Norris for the visitors. Gio McGregor's goal ultimately the decider for Villa's third, followed with Norris' second ending the tie.
Villa made 6 changes from the side that won at Berkhamsted 5 days earlier, giving Villa the chance to put minutes in the legs of many players before a busy schedule.
The first starts of the season for both Gabriel and Timberlake, Guy Ansah-Palmer, Jake Leahy and Remi Onabanjo come into the side. The most noticeable change coming in net for Villa as Tyla Dickinson who was set to start, had to withdraw close to kick off and making way for Jonny Williams who comes in for his Debut.
The home side made a positive start to proceedings. Onabanjo was the first player to test either keeper, McGregor slips a ball through to the wing-back who struck first time, stinging the palms of Calum Barnes in the Stortford goal.
Villa kept up there good start and on the 17th minute, they we're in front. Elliot Bolton plays a ball through to Gabriel who cuts in on his right and places his shot into the top right corner.
It then didn't take long for a second for Villa. This time, Timberlake is the receiver of a through ball by McGregor and 1-on-1 with Barnes he composes himself to cooly slot Villa into a deserved two goal lead.
Stortford responded well following the two goal setback, and following a decent spell, they we're rewarded for their pressure. A strike from the edge of the box was turned goal wards by Norris who from first look may have been coming back from an offside position but was deemed to be onside as the visitors find a way back into the game.
That goal being the last real talking point of the half as the away side will feel they're not out of this one after Villa's bright opening to the game.
Villa come out and started the second half in a similar fashion to how they started the first. Meaning it wasn't long before Villa restored their two goal lead.
McGregor picks up the ball on the half way line and goes on a driving run towards the box. He plays it into to Gabriel who returns the ball back to McGregor who delightfully slots in the third.
Stortford again tried to find a wayback into the game but Villa almost had their fourth before they could. Substitute, Abdullah Javaid who makes his Villa return after a lengthy spell out due to injury, almost marked his return with a goal on the 80th minute.
A surging run down the left and into the box ending with Javaid striking the post, an unfortunate ending to what would have caped a great day for him and Villa.
That chance may have come to haunt Villa in the end as only three minutes later, Stortford did pull one back. A ball into the box looked to be pushed away from Williams but was kept alive by Dylan Colletti. He sends the ball back towards goal where Norris was there again to touch home setting up what could be nerving ending for the home side.
Forwarding to the final few moments at Rectory Meadow and Stortford almost pull off a brilliant comeback. A long punt up field was flicked on to Jake Thompson who volleys hard into the top corner. Fortunately for Villa, Thompson just strayed offside. That moment being the last in an anxious ending a Rectory Meadow.
Villa now progress into the First Round of the FA Trophy we're they have been drawn away to Isthmian Premier Division side Enfield Town with the tie to be played on Saturday 24th October, 3PM Kick-off at the Dave Bryant Stadium.
