Hanworth Villa (A)
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 2:49 pm
Smash and grab on Hanworth Villa’s grand opening. Sadly another grass pitch lost in favour of the plastic alternative!!!
How we managed to steal 3 points is ultimately down to another superb display from Aaron Watkins between the sticks. One superb save from a point blank header in the second half is probably one of the best I’ve seen live.
First half was a rather dull affair, Hanworth with their more direct approach looking for headers and winning second balls high up the pitch. United rarely threaten, with their ball retention largely to blame in the final third. Kaylen Hinds the best effort, throw in from United left, Hinds lets the ball run across his body on the edge of the Hanworth box, hits a dipping right footed volley that crashes back of the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Hinds another tame effort from distance easily gathered, a late Sam Ashton curling effort just wide was all we could muster in terms of chances. Hanworth long ball contested by Odell on the edge of the box, drops down into the area, Duffy tried playing the bouncing ball unaware that the forward was closing in, and got there first only for Duffy to bring him down. Sam Merson steps up sending the keeper the wrong way, but only only finding the outside of the right hand post. Ht 0-0
Second half was Hanworth dominant. The defence under constant aerial bombardment from long deep balls pumped up the field. Numerous chances and the normally reliable Sam Merson had an off day in front of goal. Missed at least two 1v1 with the keeper both times putting them over the bar. Watkins made that acrobatic save from a right wing cross, header into what looked an open goal, Watkins diving to his right, blocked with an outstretched right arm, the ball somehow deflected up onto the cross bar and cleared away. Another save low down from a free kick, and then again turning another header from 12 yds away. Can only remember two United chances in the half, Ashton holding up the ball on half way, turn and pass into the advancing Hinds, into the box slides the ball back into the path of the supporting Ashton just to heavy, he could only cross to the back post but cleared by the Villa defence. Then the winner Amos Nasha who run tirelessly all game, centre of midfield a perfectly weighted pass into the substitute Remi Onabanjo, beats the offside trap, and calmly slots home left footed. United see out the final 8 additional minutes unscathed.
Ft 0-1
MoM Aaron Watkins not the first time this season he’s produced a top performance between the sticks. A superb addition this season, and a genuinely top keeper at this level. Hope his form continues long into the season
After 3 decent performances this was a step back for me. Big day for the home side and their direct approach is always difficult to play against as we found out twice last season.
When we did get the ball down and play we look a much better team, but sadly we converted to long balls and never got up the pitch to contest the second balls from their clearances, Ewhare was largely ineffective on the right hand side. Aston and Hinds feeding of scraps. Nasha and Hayles both put in a shift in the middle of the park.
Effort and application was evident throughout, a big positive was grinding out the win when not at our best in an attacking sense. 3 wins on the bounce, hopefully the performances become more consistent over the coming weeks..
COYH
How we managed to steal 3 points is ultimately down to another superb display from Aaron Watkins between the sticks. One superb save from a point blank header in the second half is probably one of the best I’ve seen live.
First half was a rather dull affair, Hanworth with their more direct approach looking for headers and winning second balls high up the pitch. United rarely threaten, with their ball retention largely to blame in the final third. Kaylen Hinds the best effort, throw in from United left, Hinds lets the ball run across his body on the edge of the Hanworth box, hits a dipping right footed volley that crashes back of the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Hinds another tame effort from distance easily gathered, a late Sam Ashton curling effort just wide was all we could muster in terms of chances. Hanworth long ball contested by Odell on the edge of the box, drops down into the area, Duffy tried playing the bouncing ball unaware that the forward was closing in, and got there first only for Duffy to bring him down. Sam Merson steps up sending the keeper the wrong way, but only only finding the outside of the right hand post. Ht 0-0
Second half was Hanworth dominant. The defence under constant aerial bombardment from long deep balls pumped up the field. Numerous chances and the normally reliable Sam Merson had an off day in front of goal. Missed at least two 1v1 with the keeper both times putting them over the bar. Watkins made that acrobatic save from a right wing cross, header into what looked an open goal, Watkins diving to his right, blocked with an outstretched right arm, the ball somehow deflected up onto the cross bar and cleared away. Another save low down from a free kick, and then again turning another header from 12 yds away. Can only remember two United chances in the half, Ashton holding up the ball on half way, turn and pass into the advancing Hinds, into the box slides the ball back into the path of the supporting Ashton just to heavy, he could only cross to the back post but cleared by the Villa defence. Then the winner Amos Nasha who run tirelessly all game, centre of midfield a perfectly weighted pass into the substitute Remi Onabanjo, beats the offside trap, and calmly slots home left footed. United see out the final 8 additional minutes unscathed.
Ft 0-1
MoM Aaron Watkins not the first time this season he’s produced a top performance between the sticks. A superb addition this season, and a genuinely top keeper at this level. Hope his form continues long into the season
After 3 decent performances this was a step back for me. Big day for the home side and their direct approach is always difficult to play against as we found out twice last season.
When we did get the ball down and play we look a much better team, but sadly we converted to long balls and never got up the pitch to contest the second balls from their clearances, Ewhare was largely ineffective on the right hand side. Aston and Hinds feeding of scraps. Nasha and Hayles both put in a shift in the middle of the park.
Effort and application was evident throughout, a big positive was grinding out the win when not at our best in an attacking sense. 3 wins on the bounce, hopefully the performances become more consistent over the coming weeks..
COYH