Hanwell Town put in an excellent performance to stun high-flying Dorchester Town 3-0 on Saturday (19 October 2024) at the Avenue Stadium. The home side were unbeaten in six games before the Geordies arrived in Dorset.
Dan Carr’s early volley set Hanwell on their way before some fine defensive work frustrated the hosts and allowed the Geordies to grab their second goal through Jordan Edwards in first half stoppage time.
More frustration followed in the second half for the favourites and Hanwell showed they weren’t just holding on to their lead when they added a third through Will Hall with 20 minutes to go.
Hanwell then defended bravely for the rest of the game to hand Dorchester their first home defeat of the season. The Geordies win over the Magpies was their first since a 2-1 win in 2022 at the Powerday Stadium.
Dorchester entered the game in a confident mood and looked to catch Hanwell out early. Marcus Daws cut in from the left, but his low driven shot was straight at Sam Beasant.
In the 4th minute, it was the Geordies who made a fast start. A cross from Emerson Sutton on the right was only cleared as far as Carr. The defender’s volley into the ground bounced over Dorchester defenders and into the right of the goal.
It was the perfect start for Chris Moore’s side, who pushed on for a second goal. Carr’s free kick from left was flicked on by Hall but there no Hanwell player waiting at the back post to tap the ball in.
Dorchester had their best chance of the game in the 25th minute when a long ball caused confusion between Rudi Pache and Beasant. The goalkeeper’s clearance landed at the feet of Magpies top scorer Olaf Koszela, however, the strikers shot at an empty goal was wide to the left.
There was again confusion in the 35th minute, this time among Dorchester fans. A powerful shot from Koszela appeared to go in the top left corner and was greeted by cheers from Magpies fans.
However, the ball had hit the left stanchion and bounced into the net behind the goal, leaving home fans frustrated once again.
Following many Dorchester corners in first half stoppage time, Hanwell broke away down the right. Alfie Pendlebury, a nuisance to Magpies defenders all afternoon, brought down a long ball and played in Chris Regis.
The midfielder then poked the ball to Edwards on the right of the penalty area. The Hanwell striker beat two home defenders with a feint before dragging a shot into the bottom left corner.
At the start of the second half, a wounded Dorchester looked to hit back. Luke Pardoe was played through on the right and found Corby Moore with a low cross. However, the midfielder overhit his effort and Hanwell could breathe a sigh of relief.
The next 20 minutes continued in similar fashion with Dorchester desperately trying to find a way back into the game. Long shots from Jack Dickson and Jordan Ngalo didn’t trouble Beasant and the hosts anger began to show.
During this time, Hanwell defended brilliantly and looked a threat on the break. Substitute Nathan Boayke created a good chance for Carr, but the full back put his effort over the bar.
In the 69th minute, Hanwell completed a perfect game with their third goal of the afternoon. A free kick from the right from Carr found Hall again and this time the tall defenders glanced header found the top right corner.
Hanwell saw the game out magnificently from then on for their first win in six league games. It was also the Geordies first clean sheet since a 0-0 draw to Gloucester in September.
Next, Hanwell travel to Havant & Waterlooville on Wednesday before an FA Trophy clash with Hendon on Saturday.
Hanwell: Beasant, Carr, Pache (90+2′ Duncan), Woodcock (71′ English), Seabrook, Hall, Sutton, Regis, Pendlebury, Edwards (45′ Boakye), Sonukan (82′ Richards)
Unused substitutes: Benyon
 at the Avenue Stadium. The home side were unbeaten in six games before the Geordies arrived in Dorset.){kind=link}