Hanwell Town crashed out the Middlesex County Cup at the quarter-final stage with a disappointing 4-3 loss to Hillingdon Borough on Tuesday (8 April 2025).
The Geordies were 2-0 down before 20 minutes had been played and despite twice narrowing the deficit, couldn’t defend well enough to give themselves a real chance to equalise.
Hillingdon, who play in the Combined Counties League Division One three tiers below Hanwell, played a brand of football reminiscent of a higher-level side and were good value for their leads throughout the game.
The Geordies came into the match after a huge 2-1 win over Merthyr Town on Saturday. However, they failed to carry their momentum over into what should’ve been a routine win against lower league opponents.
Hillingdon set the tone for the match after 24 seconds when Claudinei Briviglieri scored the opener. The forward dribbled through the middle of the hosts before firing a shot into the bottom left corner.
In the 18th minute, the visitors doubled their advantage. Mirko Jovanovic received a ball from the left in space just outside the box. The forward then curled his shot from the edge of the box into the top left corner.
Hanwell manager Chris Moore wasn’t happy and made two changes in the 20th minute. Alfie Pendlebury and Joe Waight were withdrawn and Chaynie Burgin and Ryan Cole were introduced.
With no clear improvement by the 36th minute, The Geordies made their third change of the evening with Mat Mackenzie replacing Callum Woodcock.
Five minute later a corner eventually found its’ way to Dwayne Duncan in the box. The defender headed the ball down to Burgin who smashed home from close range.
Just as Hanwell looked to push on after the break, Jovanovic scored his second of the game. The forward’s powerful shot from the right of the box wrong footed Trent Carter-Rogers and snook in the near post.
Joe Wilson cut the deficit to one once again in the 63rd minute with a shot from just outside the box into the bottom left corner.
Just as the hosts looked set to grab a late equaliser, Hillingdon broke down the left with Briviglieri before the finished into the bottom right corner for his second goal of the night.
Hanwell reduced the visitors’ lead once again just before half time. A cross from Wilson was headed in off the post from Duncan. Despite a late surge forward, Hanwell were unable to rescue the game and fell to a disappointing defeat.
The Geordies will look to avenge their defeat this weekend when they travel to Gosport Borough.
