Isthmian South Central 4 Mar 2025
Hanworth Villa 1
- Sam Merson (4’)
Farnham Town 1
- Sam De St Croix (41’)
Match Report
A lionhearted display from Hanworth Villa, including a goal of the season contender from Sam Merson, earned a valuable 1-1 draw against runaway league leaders Farnham Town.
At Rectory Meadow, Merson’s fourth-minute wonder strike was cancelled out by Sam De St Croix’s 41st-minute equaliser against the run of play.
With 12 games to play, Villa remained seventh on 53 points but closed the gap to fifth-placed Hartley Wintney to a solitary point.
Manager Simon Haughney said: “I think a draw was a fair result today. A very workmanlike performance from both teams, it was a real battle out there.
“It was unfortunate we conceded, fair play to them and that’s why they’ll be champions. Let’s give Farnham credit, they can play, they can mix it.
“Teams can be envious of them, but rather than be jealous I think you’ve got to look at how they’ve done it. Their management team have recruited really good players and they churn out results.
“A weaker side would have folded today, but they stood up today.”
Haughney sprung up a surprise with his team selection, choosing to leave key attackers Finlay Macnab and Abdullah Javaid on the bench.
Explaining his decision, Haughney said: “I felt they would pick a really competitive, aggressive side. We didn’t want to get bullied so we picked a side that we thought could match them, and that’s it.”
Just two minutes in, his fears nearly materialised as Farnham squandered a golden opportunity with Owen Dean flashing a low shot narrowly wide of Mark Smith’s goal.
It proved to be a costly miss as Merson made the league leaders pay in the fourth minute with his 102nd goal on his 168th Villa appearance.
Running onto a lofted ball forward, Villa’s top scorer glanced towards goal and spotted Farnham goalkeeper Zaki Oualah off his line.
With expert precision just like his wedge control on the golf course, Merson unleashed a spectacular half volley which dipped just in time to beat a flapping Oualah.
Haughney said: “Sam Merson’s goal has got to be up there with one of the goals of the season, the best one I’ve seen for a long time. It looked like something from FIFA. When you’ve got players who can do that, let’s be honest, that was unbelievable.”
Villa were unflinching against the champions-elect, who have a 10 point lead over Kingstonian, continuing to seize the initiative and create chances.
Joe Peters headed narrowly over from a Josh Casey free kick, before Ben Mulley was denied from close range by an acrobatic save by Oualah.
Farnham were beginning to get frustrated, as Mark Waters was deservedly booked for a poorly timed tackle on Merson.
But the Town eventually found a leveller from a quickly-taken 41st-minute throw in, as Great Evans squared across goal for De St Croix to finish.
The away side settled into their rhythm in the second half, dominating possession and stringing multiple passes together.
Yet they struggled to fashion any openings, mirroring the reverse fixture in November when Villa grinded out a 1-0 win.
Villa defended stoutly with brave blocks and tackles as Mulley and KJ Osu picked up bookings for their overzealous efforts.
It was a second half of few chances with both sides cautious in possession, and that was how the game would finish.
Haughney added: “It was a game today if you made a mistake, you could get punished. It’s a good point today, but if we don’t get the win on Saturday then it’s pointless.
“We compete against the bigger teams but we’ve got to find a way against the teams who are struggling a little, because that’s where our points have gone this season.”
Villa will be put to a similar test against Rayners Lane, who are 13th in the league, on Saturday.
“I don’t take any team lightly,” Haughney said.
“I haven’t got an ego where I think we have a divine right to turn up and win, but we have got a full squad now and everyone is chomping at the bit.
“I’m really pleased with the boys and at the moment we’re in a good place, but we’ve got to keep going.
“There’s no point putting in such a good performance tonight if we’re not going to back it up on Saturday.”