Hanwell Town opened their Southern League Premier South season on 10 August 2024 with a trip to newly promoted Dorset club Wimborne Town, but the Geordies had to return home empty handed as they went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat, courtesy of a 68th minute Cameron Munn goal for the home club.
The first half was tentative from both teams, with neither forcing a save from their respective keepers.
Just before the half time break, Wimborne’s striker Will Fletcher found himself in some space at the edge of the penalty area, firing in a shot which was only just over the crossbar, much to Hanwell keeper Sam Beasant’s relief.
The second half began in much the same fashion, but as the minutes passed, the game slowly became more open, and chances began to appear.
The home supporters thought they had finally taken the lead on 58 minutes when Wimborne’s Matt Burrows tapped home from close range, but the referee’s assistant had flagged for offside, meaning the goal did not count.
Hanwell immediately countered, defender Dwayne Duncan forcing a good save from home keeper Ross Flitney with a close range header.
It wasn’t very long before the Geordies were having to defend the home team’s attacks for substantial periods, and on 68 minutes, the Magpies found a way through.
Burrows had taken the ball past defender Kyron Richards and cut the ball back to midfielder Samuel Jackson, firing in a low shot. Beasant saved, but the rebound fell to Munn who had the simple task of hitting the ball into the net.
Hanwell had to reorganise not long after following an injury to Callum Woodcock, which necessitated the attendance of both club’s physios to deal with a nasty cut to the head. Woodcock was able to make his way off under his own power, the cut subsequently requiring 4 stitches.
Stung by the goal, Hanwell roused themselves and came back into game strongly and created chances for midfielder Dan Carr, and then Richards but to no luck.
Just before the end, midfielder Mat McKenzie had another chance for Hanwell, but the home side managed to clear the ball off the goal line to deny the Geordies an equaliser and a point.
Speaking after the game, manager Chris Moore stated, “The game was good in patches, and also not very good in patches, and for the goal, too many were flat-footed.
“We made a couple of substitutions and we looked like we’re getting back into the game, but just two or three players were off it, and at this level, when you’re like that, you’re going to find the afternoon tough.
“Yet there’s players who were substitutes today who gave themselves a good shout of playing in the next game by their performances, so we’ll dust ourselves down and regroup for that game.”
Hanwell Town now return home to the Powerday Stadium for two home games, facing Bracknell Town this coming Tuesday, August 13th, with a 7-45pm kick off, before hosting Swindon Supermarine on Saturday August 17th, at 3pm.
Hanwell Town line-up
1 Sam Beasant, 2 Kyron Richards, 3 Cameron Rohart-Brown, 4 Chris Regis (Jordan Edwards 75′), 5 Dwayne Duncan, 6 Callum Woodcock (Leo Donnellan 77′), 7 Dan Carr, 8 Mat Mackenzie, 19 Ezekiel Coker (Rod Orlando-Young 90+3′),10 Elliot Beynon (Will Hall 61′), 11 Kameron English (Alfie Pendlebury 73′)
Substitutes
12 Will Hall 14 Leo Donnellan 15 Rod Orlando-Young, 16 Jordan Edwards, 17 Alfie Pendlebury
Attendance 531
