W/c 13th March

• It’s a quiet week for news but we certainly end the week in high spirits after an away win. A strange feeling given the last was at Tiverton back at the start of February…but it was a more than welcome return!
• On Saturday a full coach made the 87 mile journey to Gosport: 

  • A number of fans made the short 5 minute walk to The Cocked Hat public house before the game. A cheap pint sat outside in full sunshine, the trip had started well. Unfortunately it was bad timing given we were missing the “Live payday weekend entertainment”!

  • Hanwell had some decent chances in the first half but we struggled to make our pressure pay off, especially with missed chance by Tom. It felt like it was sadly going one of those days again.
    

  • At half time we were treated to the footballing skills of the younger generation of the Moore family. Young Rory scored the first of Hanwell’s goals for the afternoon.

  • Hanwell started the second half with a great deal more urgency and you could sense the team had been given some strong ‘words of encouragement’ at half time.

  • The team started to pile on the pressure and pepper the Gosport goal. Corner after Corner and a series of good crosses into the box but we weren't getting any luck.

  • The Hanwell crowd sensed the breakthrough was coming and it did at the 50 minute mark. A wonderful cross came in and Mat Mckenize was there to guide in a lovely header. We had scored first, I couldn't remember that last time that had happened.

  • After the pain of the quick reply against us at Chesham last week, the Fans were slightly nervous. Especially as Gosport did have a chance not long after however, it was nothing to be worried about as Ravan with some very intelligent goalkeeping was able push the attacker wide to a too tight angle.

  • After some great work in midfield Tom McElroy was 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper. The pressure was on as a defender was charging back but again there was no need to worry as Tom slotted it home. Hanwell were 2 goals up.

  • Gosport tried to throw everything at us but our back 3 of Duffy, Duncan and Robinson held firm.

  • Tom could have gotten a second but for a smart save from their goalkeeper.

  • Jacob made a welcome return to field late in the second half. Hopefully there’ll be plenty more on his clock in card this week.

  • Then the sounds all Hanwell fans wanted to hear the referees whistle: 2-0 to Hanwell, a clean sheet and a fully deserved 3 points…what a feeling and a few victory beers were well overdue.
    

  • The attendance was 706…apparently.
    

• We’ve a very busy week ahead at Hanwell:

  • On Tuesday night we play Poole Town at The Powerday. Currently 5th in the table, Poole be keen to maintain their play-off position.

  • On Friday there’s a supporters curry night at the Samrat in Pitshanger.

  • On Saturday we have Non-League Day 2023. Click here for the link to find out more about the day itself as well as the plans we have at Hanwell.
    

• A reminder that:
  • Online tickets can now be purchased for each of the remaining 4 home games via the Tickets website tab. 
  • The Club House is available for hire for birthdays, anniversaries etc. More information via the Events website tab.
  • Match Day Sponsorship is available for the remaining home games. Please contact club@hanwell.com

W/c 06th March

• Last Tuesday the team had a night out at our sponsor BigShots Golf in Northwick Park. Let’s just say, there was quite a range of skills on display! 
• A new goal keeper Ravan Constable has joined from Beaconsfield. Welcome to Hanwell Ravan. 
• To recognise International Women’s Day on the 08th, we sat down with several women who help run or support the Club. You can find out more via the following link:

https://www.hanwelltown.com/news/supporter-news/iwd-2023

• Our website has been updated with new player photos and bios - a big thank you to Gabe for his help on this. 

https://www.hanwelltown.com/meet-the-geordies/the-players

• Our Marketing Manager Elsa has been recognised for her contribution to the game. She’s been selected to attend a ‘Business of Sport’ weekend in May run by 3Mobile with various activities at Stamford Bridge. 
• Saturday saw us visit play-off pushing Chesham United which saw a good number of Geordies travel to the far top left of the tube map to Zone 9 (a total of 4 different tubes in my case):
  • The last time we played Chesham was back at a sunny Powerday in August and the Geordies came out 2-0 winners.
  • Team news saw a welcome return of Tom McElroy and a debut in goal for recent signing Ravan.
  • During the first half Hanwell held their own against a wave of Chesham’s attacks and created a few openings of our own. Ravan was certainly having a busy debut and made a couple of impressive saves.
  • It took a speculative effort on 33 mins by Chesham to break the deadlock which took us into the break 1-0 down.
  • Hanwell came out of the blocks after the restart and had a number of pressing attacks but it felt like the last few games, that nothing was going to break for us and we weren’t going to trouble the scoreboard.
  • Come the 68^th minute, and not for the first time this season, Mat Mckenzie came to our rescue and scored a very scrappy unglamourous goal line scramble but they all count.
  • Hanwell started to get more comfortable and really started to press at Chesham. In the 85^th minute a Tom McElroy cross was turned in by Lucan. Another scrappy goal but we didn’t care.
  • The celebrations were sadly short lived as after some sloppy defending we conceded almost straight away.
  • Hanwell did manage to hold on and both teams had chances to win it at the death but the Geordies came away from Zone 9 with a very deserved and valuable point.
  • The final result was 2-2.
  • The match attendance was 408.
    
• We’ll be releasing our plans for Non-League Day over the next few days. There's a happy hour, a new pop-up will be joining us and there'll be some live music in the evening. So keep an eye on our socials and our website!

W/c 27th February

• This week the Club joined with our regular sponsor Bigshots Golf in their book donation drive in aid of the following charities: Cancer Research, Fara, RSPCA and Sue Ryder. They collected 436 books - thanks to everyone who brought a donation with them to one of our games. 
• Our Tuesday night game was against local rivals Harrow Borough: 
  • We last met back in August 2022 where we won 1-0. 
  • Harrow took the lead with a goal in 15th minute from a corner. 
  • Hanwell equalised in the 50th minute with a goal from Mat McKenzie. 
  • Final result was 1-1 and ended the run our recent run of 4 league losses without a goal.
  • Man of the Match was awarded to Isaac who continues a great season performance. 
  • The match attendance was 217. 
• Team News this week: 
  • Defender Keano Robinson joins us from Beaconsfield and made Saturday’s starting XI. 
  • Micah Anthony’s loan has been extended till the end of the season. 
  • Adam Laaref has transferred to Harley Whitney and made their starting 11 against Yate Town. Adam has always been a firm fan favourite and we wish him well at his new club. 
• Our Saturday game was against league leaders Weston-super-Mare:
  • We had our first pop up of 2023 with the return of The Lil Kitchen - a Mexican food van serving burritos, tacos and quesadillas. There was quite a queue at half time! 
  • Jacob Gardiner-Smith made a welcome return to the pitch during pre-match training as he gets closer to match fitness. Fingers crossed we see him back next week!
  • Hanwell gave a great performance which was a fairly even contest despite being 14 places apart in the league table. 
  • Despite few shots on target from either team during the first half there was a notable flying save from Max. 
  • The referee initially awarded Hanwell a penalty in the 67th minute but swiftly changed his mind following a raised flag from the linesman. 
  • Shortly afterwards, what was judged to be a foul by Hanwell in the home box led to a penalty for Weston who put the ball into the back of the net. 
  • There were a couple of bizarre late bookings which left us all feeling hard done by at the final whistle. 
  • The final result was 1-0. 
  • Match attendance was 317. 
• We’re now into March which will see the installation of a new 80 seater stand on the Perivale Lane side of the pitch. 
• Look out for our plans for Non-League Day on Saturday 25th March when we'll play Swindon Supermarine. A little heads up…the bar will be open late.

W/c 20th February

• Tuesday night saw a win in Middlesex Charity Cup taking us through to the semi finals:

• • The game was against Spelthorne Sports from the Combined Counties Football League (Step 5).
  • Dwayne made a welcome return from injury. Sonny West from the U18s joined the team coming on as a substitute. 
  • Spelthorne were the first to score and were more of less in command until a frantic final 15 minutes saw a rush of 3 goals. Hanwell goals from Tom McElroy as well as an Spelthorne own goal. 
  • The full time result was 2-2 led to penalties with Hanwell winning 4-3 in a penalty shoot out courtesy of a “big time” save from Max. 
  • The match attendance was 42. 

• Abdul Osman (a midfielder) joins the team from Isthmian League South East side Sittingbourne.
• The Saturday game was away against Hayes & Yeading:
  • Around 20 supporters met at The Grapes pub in Hayes for pre-match drinks. With some arriving before the pub even opened !!
  • After a 3-2 home win from Hanwell back in October it was expected to be a highly fought local derby. 
  • Unfortunately Hayes scored after 5 minutes and almost scored again at the 15 minute mark. 
  • The second half saw a much improved Hanwell performance but they continued the recent run of being unable to score including attempts by Micah and Flo. 
  • Final result was 1-0.
  • The match attendance was 310. 

• On Sunday we welcomed around 250 NUFC fans at Club House prior to the cup final at Wembley. The event ran from 10am till 2pm with Bob Fisher and Dhali as the official welcoming committee. The club house was awash with supporters flags and frequent songs about Bruno, Tell Me Ma and of course unflattering  comments about Sunderland. The bar and kitchen were busy throughout so the only disappointment was the result of the game. 

W/c 13th February

• A Wednesday night away loss against Truro City who play their home matches at Plymouth Parkway’s ground:
  • 18 supporters travelled the 312 miles returning to the Powerday just before 4am. 
  • The final result was a 1-0 loss following a missed penalty by Hanwell in the 18th minute and goal from Truro in the 55th minute. 
  • The match attendance was 135. 
• Following Max’s injury last week, Hanwell have taken Matteo Salamon on a 1 month loan from the QPR B Team.  
• Saturday was a home game against Salisbury:
  • Adam was absent due to red card at Dorchester. 
  • Max returned to the team albeit via the bench. 
  • The match was full of ‘what if’s’ given Hanwell hit the post 3 times, what looked like a stumble over the ball in the box and then a goal ruled offside in the 87th minute.
  • Elsa brought along her new drum which was a huge hit with the home fans, especially our younger supporters.
  • The final result was a 3-0 loss with goals in the the 16th, 31st and 76th minutes. 
  • The match attendance was 312.
• Anthony Cheshire’s loan from Bracknell was extended for another month.