Premier Division
Hanworth Villa 3 Stonewall 0
Saturday, 24 August 2002
Hanworth Villa kicked off another season with a convincing victory over premier new boys Stonewall FC. It was anything but a backs against the wall performance as Hanworth controlled the game from start to finish.
The Villains are under new management this season with Mark Wilson taking over the departed McManager Rick Higgins. Before the game all that was asked for was commitment from those involved and the correct result at the end of 90 minutes. Both were delivered, however Villa were guilty of giving the ball away unnecessarily, particularly in later stages of the game.
Something that will require work over the coming weeks.Playing in a 4-4-2 formation Hanworth controlled from the start and were denied several good chances by a stream of offside decisions, some caused by efficient defending, others by slack attacking and a few by dubious decisions. The opening goal came from a Tony James cross which was headed in the far corner by Paul Reid, continuing his excellent pre season form. Several misses prevented Villa extending their lead, though none were really guilt edge chances.
The score was eventually doubled shortly before half time, Paul Reid again slotting the ball home from close range.The second half carried on in the same vein and the result was put beyond doubt when a cracking low drive from Kevin Glavey found the far corner 15 minutes in. Stonewall rarely threatened to score and on the few opportunities they did get debutante keeper Terry Buss proved up to the task, a great prospect for the future. So, with one game gone there is of course a long way to go, however, it is a better start than the previous few seasons and Hanworth will be looking to extend that on Wednesday against Western Command.
Andy Vettese
Hanworth Villa
Stonewall F.C.
We kicked off the new season in the new league at the same ground as last year. Away to Hanworth Villa, this time playing their first team.
We have had 2 fantastic years, I don?t think that this years will be quite as straight forward.
We have already picked up a couple of injuries so a last minute shuffle around of players and positions.
The big difference between the two sides was experience ? they were a little cleverer than us. Our fitness was certainly good but we did lack some creativity and our attacks were somewhat predictable. Not surprising as Neil was the only recognised striker on the pitch, everything came his way. The balls to him were normally knocked away by the big centre back or he was hassled off the ball. Two chances did fall Neil?s way, a header well saved and shot which just drifted wide. We went in at the break 2-0 down, it would have been more had Steff not been on top form.
We weren?t out of the game at half time but we needed to get the next goal. Unfortunately it went to them, I was at fault for giving the ball away. That said they still had work to do, and the strikers finish was excellent.
We held them for the next 35 minutes, we were playing a dangerous game of offside but they would not add to their tally. We got more into the game as it went on. And started to battle for more balls. Andy W scything some poor sod down who retaliated on Vinnie and got himself booked. We will need to harass and chase every ball if we are to do well this year. We didn?t really have many chances in the second half and our deliveries were poor. But it was the first game of a long season and we can only learn from this. We certainly deserved to be there.
Team; Steff, Audley, Lance, Tony, John C, Vinnie, Marc, Andy, Clint, Mike, Neil ? Subs - Paul B, George, Denis
Marc Short-Stonewall FC
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