Isthmian South Central 12 Oct 2024
Hanworth Villa 3
- Finlay Macnab (58’)
- Alex Body (84’)
- Sam Merson (90’)
Westfield 1
- Lui Edwards (4’)
Match Report
Backed against the wall, Hanworth Villa showed their mettle to produce another spirited comeback with three second-half goals sealing a 3-1 win away to Westfield FC in front of 161 fans.
At Woking Park, an early lapse in concentration allowed Westfield to take the lead from a long throw, before goals from Finlay Macnab, Alex Body and Sam Merson sealed an all-important three points.
Manager Simon Haughney said: “I told the team at half time that the first five minutes we made a massive mistake. We knew about their long throw and we said we’d defend it like a corner but four of us have gone to the same ball.
“But after that, it was a really positive half and I felt that we were maybe slightly unfortunate to be trailing. So those were the words to the boys — just keep doing what you’re doing.”
The result followed last week’s 2-1 win against South Park (Reigate) and propelled Villa to fourth in the league, firmly among the promotion play-off spots.
Haughney added: “Big last two results, the manner we did it. We definitely snatched the win again this week, though I thought the performance was better. I’m very pleased with today.”
The manager made three changes with the injured Guy Ansah-Palmer and Christian Jolley, who will be ruled out for a few weeks with a hip flexor problem, replaced by Quincy Patterson and Kyen Nicholas. Theo Crawford also came into the starting 11 as Body dropped to the bench.
It was a much stronger side than when Villa lost 2-0 to Westfield in the Velocity Cup with a team filled with young players.
Goal: Lui Edwards 4’ – Westfield 1 v 0 Villa
Yet, Villa got off to the worst possible start as just four minutes after kick off, a Westfield long throw was bundled into the net by Lui Edwards. There were calls for a foul on goalkeeper Mark Smith but the referee waved those claims away.
Gradually settling into the game, Villa were denied a stonewall penalty by the offside flag after Nicholas was hauled down in the box in the 10th minute.
Things then heated up as both Crawford and Nicholas received bookings for fouls before the half hour mark.
With Villa on the ascendancy, Nicholas had a golden chance to level proceedings in the 42nd minute but he was beaten to a loose ball in the penalty box by Westfield goalkeeper Lewis Gallifent.
It was end-to-end action just before the interval as just after Westfield hit the upright, a Villa counter attack led by Macnab ended with Sam Mead firing over the bar
There were three more yellow cards shown in the half to Patterson, picking up his first booking in a Hanworth jersey, and Westfield duo Luke Elliott and Quincy Rowe.
Five minutes after the restart, Haughney brought on Shane Dunne for Patterson as a precaution with the latter at risk of a second booking.
Goal: Finlay Macnab 58’ – Westfield 1 v 1 Villa
Villa continued piling on the pressure and finally had the breakthrough before the hour mark, when Macnab was slipped through one-on-one and made no mistake to slot past Gallifent.
In the 65th minute, Haughney replaced Mead, who was deployed in a wide role, with Body.
Three minutes later, Body nearly made an instant impact as his headed effort from Crawford’s cross rattled off the crossbar.
There was a scare for Villa in the 70th minute as Westfield’s Lucas Sinclair had a golden opportunity to restore their advantage but scuffed his effort just outside the six-yard box.
Haughney made another change nine minutes later, replacing Nicholas with last week’s match winner Dylan Randall.
Goal: Alex Body 84’ – Westfield 1 v 2 Villa
Six minutes from time, Body made amends for his earlier miss. He sent the travelling Villa fans into ecstasy after rounding Gallifent and firing into an empty net for his first goal in a Hanworth jersey.
Goal: Sam Merson 90’ – Westfield 1 v 3 Villa
Sam Merson then put the result beyond doubt after substitute Randall ran through the Westfield defence to set up Merson for a simple finish into the bottom corner.
With the plethora of attacking options firing on all cylinders, Haughney will have a “selection headache” for the upcoming league fixtures.
He said: “We’re starting to get these players back and there’s real competition for places. I told the players on the bench before they came on to stake a claim.
“And Dylan did with an assist and Body scored. I’m really pleased for him (Body) because it took a bit of time for him to settle in. It gives us a selection headache which is a positive.”
Next up for Villa is an away trip to ninth-tier side Spelthorne Sports in the Middlesex Cup on Tuesday night at 7.45pm.
Haughney promised changes in a tie that will give the fringe players a chance to prove their worth.
He added: “I’m not going to risk key players. Those that have come back from injury they will all be rested. It gives the opportunity for some of the young boys to stake their claim.”
