Early goals in each half from Nathan Minhas should have been enough to give Beaconsfield Town a home win on bank holiday Monday at Holloways Park against a spirited Hanwell but referee Gerry Heron handed them a draw with the award of two second-half penalties. 

The home side started quickly and took the lead on Three minutes. Louis Walsh stepped in from the right and played in the outstanding Scott Donnolly just outside the area. Donnelly drew the defense before releasing Aaron Minhas, his low shot from just inside the area was parried by Hugo Sobte but fell to Nathan Minhas who knocked in the rebound from Six yards.

Two minutes later, Sam Togwell was on the wrong end of 'a back' in midfield toppling over a stooping defender and falling awkwardly, appearing to be momentarily out cold as he lay on the turf. When he came around and clambered to his feet he had the appearance of a groggy boxer taking a standing count. He left the field under his own steam as a precaution to be replaced by Adam Martin who went on to enjoy a tidy and quietly competent debut undramatically shielding the back four and linking the play carrying the water for the busy Donelly.

The Rams had the visitors on the ropes for the opening quarter as Hanwell struggled to get to grips with the surface and the pace and movement from The Rams. Further chances came at regular intervals Dan Bradshaw and Nathan Minhas drew saves from Hugo Sobte.

Aaron Minhas saw his flicked header from a Scott Donnelly free kick loop up and strike the crossbar. Then Nathan Minhas fired over from seven yards after good work from Louis Walsh popping up on the right flank.

Hanwell created very little for the opening half hour until Chidubem Onokwai found some space on the edge of the area, before dragging an effort wide. A Sobte free kick from just inside his own half was as close as they came in the first half. Whether by accident or design the keepers' delivery drifted on the breeze and dropped onto the top of the bar bouncing back into play promoting an almighty scramble that the Rams struggled to clear. 

As the game approached the interval Hanwell started to impose their style on the hosts. Getting the ball forward quickly, pouncing on second balls, and fighting for everything. With Matt McKenzie launching Howitzer long throws into the Beaconsfield box at every opportunity the pressure built on the home side without bearing fruit in chances. 

Fair to say the break came at a good time for The Rams

 

Half Time 1-0 

 

The Rams began the second half as they had started the first. Louis Walsh capped a sweeping move with a fierce angled drive that Sobte did well to turn onto the inside of the near post. The ball flying across the face of goal and spinning behind.

From the resulting corner, The Rams kept the pressure on and doubled their lead on 47 minutes.The corner was initially cleared falling to Adam Laref, just outside the box, he went down rather easily under Adam Martin's challenge, looking for a cheap freekick to relieve pressure. Martin fed Scott Donnelly on the left edge of the area. Donnelly chipped in an inviting cross that Nathan Minhas gleefully headed over the advancing Sobte.

Hanwell stuck to their task but for all their effort and battling failed to trouble Ravan Constable. Enter Mr Heron who bought what Onokwai was selling on the hour as the big striker ran across Olly Sprague putting his toes together and falling like a giant Redwood just outside the box, there may have been contact but certainly not enough to precipitate what followed. 

 

the freekick was curled into the far post where The official saw a push as another Hanwell player flew dramatically to the turf. No one was sanctioned as, when pressed, Mr Heron was unable to identify the offender but remained convinced of the offence. Onokwai was relieved to see his scuffed spot kick make it to the corner before Constable could recover from his initial change of weight. 

Game on Hanwell poured forward in their uncomplicated style and the Rams became increasingly unconvincing under the onslaught. Despite the pressure, the visitors failed to create any clear chances and shots from distance were seldom on target and those that were, did not extend Constable. 

Whilst far from comfortable The Rms were keeping Hanwell at arm's length until Mr Perry imposed himself on the game again. He appeared to be losing what control he had as the intensity and desperation of The Hanwell fight back increased. Seemingly favouring one side then the other in turn with a series of bizarrely inconsistent decisions and a rash of yellow cards presumably intended to stamp his authority but generally just adding to the confusion.

Luke Neville and Onokwai tussled on the edge of the box under a high ball that bounced away innocuously. It was a physical challenge but the whole game had been played with physicality to the fore because that's how Hanwell play. It certainly didn't draw appeals from on or off the pitch, or the concern of the assistant stood less than 10 yards away. Mr Perry alone among the 250 people present saw a deliberate foul by Neville, who in the circumstances was probably fortunate not to receive a second yellow card, and awarded a second penalty.

After his first effort, Onokwai declined a second spot kick and sub, Conrad Lucan found the corner with a more confident conversion.

As time ran out Beaconsfield re-established some of their earlier control and had a golden chance to reclaim the lead. Nathan Minhas deceived his marker as he waited for a Ravan Constable clearance, with a move reminicent of an NFL wide receiver the striker shaped to make a bent run in one direction drawing the attention of his marker. As Constable launched the ball foward Minhas planted his foot spun and burst past the maker backpedaling to try and get something on the ball and failing. Minhas was in but delayed enough for a covering defender to launch a desperate attempt to block which was enough to put off the striker who dragged his effort just wide. 

 

Then a well-worked free-kick played by Donnelly to Louis Walsh on the edge of the box almost handed Hanwell the win. Walsh made space took a touch and sent in a low shot that was blocked away on the edge of the six-yard box. The accidental clearance fell kindly for the visitors and they broke with pace. It was probably the visitors' best chance of the afternoon but a combination of Constable and covering defenders saved Beaconsfield blushes at the expense of a corner that came to nothing. 

Next up it's FA Cup action for The Rams, who travel to Walton and Hersham to rejoin battle with the Isthmian league side they knocked out at the same stage of the competition last season. 

 

Image Gallery ©Neale Blackburn Photography 2022