Match Report 

Tooting&Mitcham(H) 16/04/2022

SATURDAY 16TH. APRIL 2022.

THE PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE, SOUTH CENTRAL DIVISION.

HANWELL TOWN (2) 3 V. 1 V (0) TOOTING & MITCHAM.

Easter Saturday saw a decent crowd, including a noisily supportive visiting contingent, witness a much needed victory for Town at The Powerday. Hanwell’s healthy goal difference means that just one win from the two remaining games will result in a place in the play-offs, albeit as the away team.

For most of this match Town looked comfortable. In fact, so dominant was the rear-guard, with Dwayne Duncan winning everything in the air, that the only reason to mention ‘keeper Hugo Sobte in the first half was his outstanding long-range distribution. Perhaps Manchester City might have done better with a similar approach down the road at Wembley! Hanwell therefore had a lot of early possession and deservedly took the lead after fifteen minutes.George Nicholas and Dan Carter combined well down the right flank with the latter player’s cross finding the head of Ogo Obi. His header came back off the woodwork and Ogo was alert enough to be following up and he netted from close range.

With George winning a lot of ball in midfield Hanwell continued to have a lot of possession without creating a lot of goal scoring opportunities. Tooting’s one threatening moment saw Kyle Watson do well to intercept a dangerous looking ball into the box. However, ten minutes before half time a second goal was added. Jack Hutchinson played a one-two on the left and drove the ball low into the goal from a difficult angle. As the half was coming to a close Hanwell had the chance to make the game safe. Jack and Ogo had combined for George to go close, his shot being deflected behind. Ogo got his head to the ensuing corner and his goal bound header was handled on the line. A penalty awarded and who should take it was a subject under discussion in the Bob Fisher Stand. Eventually Tom Collins stepped up, but his well-struck effort was turned away by Morgan Campbell at full stretch.

The fifth minute of the second half witnessed the Terrors’ first real shot of the game but Dontai Stewart fired way off target. Five minutes later Town seemed to have wrapped up the game. Dan found Ogo who turned sharply and forced a save from Campbell. The Tooting ‘keeper was unable to hold on to the ball and Gareth Chendlik raced in to score from close range. It should have signalled a comfortable last thirty-five minutes for players and supporters but that was not to be the case. On the hour mark Hugo raced out of his area and collided with an opponent. Both required treatment and the Hanwell custodian was eventually shown a yellow card. It could have been worse but a couple of defenders had got behind Hugo to prevent him being the last man. From then on Hanwell began to lose their control of the game. With twenty minutes to go a run and cross by Shamal Edwards resulted in the busy Billy Brown reducing the arrears.  A minute later Brown‘s cross from the right was met by the head Anuar Ceesay on the far post. Fortunately for Hanwell he was off target and the Geordies retained their two goal advantage.

The visitors’ comeback chances were dealt the severest of blows when, with fifteen minutes to go,Nathan Daly was involved in an incident off the ball that left Hanwell substitute Tomasz Siemienczuk on the floor. The assistant alerted the referee and a red card was shown. The rest of the match was low key with Tomasz and Ogo having half chances but nothing to particularly excite either set of supporters. 

TEAM: 1.Hugo Sobte 2.Dan Carr 3.Kyle Watson 4.George Nicholas 5.Dwayne Duncan 6.Calum Duffy 7.Jack Hutchinson (14.Massimo Giamattei 90+3) 9.Gareth Chendlik (16.Dernell Wynter 67)10.Tom Collins (12.Tomasz Siemienczuk 74) 11.Ogo Obi. Unused substitutes: 15.Romario Jonas 17.Andy O’Brien.