Hosts Prevail In Must Win Derby - CB Hounslow vs. Hanworth Villa

Club buildings at The Lair

The Combined Counties Premier Division was one of the first divisions which I completed and I restored this achievement last night with a visit to CB Hounslow - well until next year when Jersey come up. Quite a few seasons ago I saw a Hounslow game at their old ground at Osterley Sports Club in an end of season match up. I had intended to visit a couple of Tuesday agos but illness put an end to that plan. There is just over three miles between the two grounds and this derby was a must win for the hosts. They sat bottom, level on points with Hanworth but had played five games more. CB Hounslow had won another important home game on Saturday, beating Raynes Park Vale one nil.

Elevated stand at The Liar

From the start there is only team that looks winning the game. Hounslow should do better with a free header but they take the lead when the busy midfielder perseveres with an attack and when the ball falls to his team it is slotted home. In the early stage of the second half, the visitors are caught out by a free kick to the near post which is tucked home. The Hounslow man completes his hat trick (the third I've seen in a fortnight or so) as Hanworth don't deal with a long ball forward that ends up in the back of the net.

Seconds before the second goal

If the Piccadilly Line had behaved I would have gone to Hatton Cross and broken up the half hour walk by stopping off at Green Man but I instead had to alight at Hounslow West which proved to be a blessing in disguise. I instead visited The Bell which had the sports channels and from very near by I was able to take the 423 to right out side the ground with the trip taking around twenty minutes. Sadly the club is having a licencing issue which meant that no alcohol was able to be served. Which is a shame as I really liked the new set up and I hope they can alleviate this issue soon.

A first half CB Hounslow corner

Very Last Game Of The Season - CB Hounslow United vs. Feltham

Match action just before the supernova hit.

Having been in Copenhagen the previous weekend and having visitors the next weekend this was my last game of the season. I headed to the Osterley Sports Club for CB Hounslow United's home match against Feltham. Both teams have had a disappointing season, with both of them sitting in the lower reaches of Division One. However there are local bragging rights at stake and Hounslow will want to end their season on a high. Feltham had one more game on Thursday away to Chobham.

Kick off in the Hounslow derby.

Feltham start the more confident of the two teams with their huge striker causing all sorts of problems up front for the home defence. Despite their possession they fail to force the keeper in to a save. The home team begin to get in to the game and win a penalty when the striker is tripped when trying to round the keeper who is perhaps lucky not to be sent off. The penalty is dispatched as the keeper is sent the wrong way. Shortly afterwards the keeper has to go off injured and is replaced by the centre back who to his credit keeps his team in the game by getting a few vital touches. 

The penalty being dispatched.

Unfortunately for Feltham there is very little the stand goalie can do about the second half goal blitz. Very soon after half time the winger is played in by a ball from midfield and he slots the ball under the keeper. The third comes when the keeper comes for a ball and doesn't get a good enough connection and is left stranded by a fantastic first time lob. Then even his own defenders turn against him. The ball being hammered home from a corner by his own centre back. The scoring is completed when the Hounslow striker smashes the ball home from just outside the box.

Feltham on the attack with the stand, clubhouse and balcony in the background.

The nearest station is Southall and trains depart on a regular basis from Paddington and take around twenty minutes. I made the twenty minute walk both ways but there is the S5 bus which drops you off a short walk from the ground next to the canal. I didn't pass a single pub on the walk to the ground but I'm sure they'll be some in Southall Town centre. The clubhouse is spacious and has a good selection of drinks. The main thing to remember is not to get lost in the clubhouse building when heading to the toilet!

Covered standing.