Villains 3 Ash Trees 1

[Swifty]

If ever a nickname was apt.....

 

On their website, Hanworth Villa have criticised the Combined Counties League for scheduling their home game against Guernsey for a Tuesday night and making them play the return fixture the following Sunday, one of the problems being that some of their team might be playing in a Sunday cup final the same day. Judging by tonight's performance, I reckon most of their team plays in that Sunday side, and they hadn't changed their pub style of play for tonight's game. The one home player who comes out with real credit was their keeper, who put in a fine display. The village idiot is obviously the number 4. Speaking of a pub team, interesting to see they have an area cordoned off between the clubhouse and the pitch where people can drink before and throughout the game.

 

Having had an excellent run of form against some very good teams in our league, it was probably to be expected that we'd lose to an overly physical side that moaned at and for everything. Admittedly, Hanworth were up for this game and wanted to win, and they were very nippy on the attack. The problem was, they outmuscled us and on many occasions the ref (who I don't think has started shaving yet) was far too lenient. Jim had to be subbed after about 20 minutes with stud marks trailing from just below his knee, his replacement Samad (easily our man of the match) was blatantly shoved over in the box in the first half by a defender with just the keeper to beat but no penalty was given, and the ref refused to speak to his frantically waving 'lino' and only booked a Villa player for an awful late tackle near the end - it happened behind the ref's back and he bottled it. Villa were repeatedly late with tackles and played the man most of the night. I'm glad I don't watch that every week.

 

As to the game, in all honesty we never got going properly in the first half (when we could see the ball - you lost view of it when it went ten feet above the floodlights), probably should have gone in behind at the break and we took what was really a surprise lead in the 52nd when Joe (who needs to be more confident and show us more of his attacking skills) thumped one from the edge of the box, and the keeper's superb save onto the bar rebounded to Kofi who couldn't miss...this time.

 

We were beginning to get on top and needed a second which didn't arrive. The equaliser in the 68th, though deserved, was freakish and knocked some wind out of our sails. Macca, back in goal tonight, make a great save from a blockbuster from outside the box - or so we thought. The ball went vertically up in the air by a good 12 feet, hit the ground and spun into the net with Macca still prone after his dive. Five minutes later, we went behind to a route one goal (Hanworth's keeper has a goal kick like a mule), though the forward did well to beat our defender on the left hand side of the box and slot the ball past Macca from a tightish angle.

 

We then had a superb chance to level, as great work down the left flank left Kofi unmarked six feet out and central with the goal. The ball may have reached Kofi slightly behind his run, but his miss for a goal kick was a pivotal moment. We kept on pushing for an equaliser but, from a corner which became a pinball in the Villa box, they broke quickly and made it 3-1 in the 94th.

 

At least we've got one less distraction and can focus on making a push for the play-offs, though it'll be tough with all the other contenders around us. On tonight's form, Samad deserves to start on Saturday - his pace and tenacity frightened Hanworth and would have troubled any defence. Hope Jim recovers quickly - such a shame to get back in the team, put in two rousing displays and get injured like that. As for the others - heads up, lads, move on.