Rovers survival hopes took a hit on Saturday when a late goal gave Hanworth Villa all three points in a hard-fought game at The Ranch.
The visitors made a bright start and Frankie Maciocia fired an effort straight at Mark Smith in the opening attack of the game, and on four minutes a loopy cross by Daniel Pepple deceived Smith but cannoned off the post, and from the quick Villa break Javon Marquis did well to clear from Villa’s Sam Merson.
Kacper Orlowski was on the end of a poor challenge by Sam Mead on 7 minutes, but had recovered his senses well enough to gather Shane Dunnes low shot on the quarter hour. A minute later a huge throw by Merson was cleared for a corner by Marquis. Mersons throws were causing some consternation in the Rovers backline, but with Orlowski and the defenders seemingly attracted to the ball like magnets we were surviving.
Midway through the half and mistimed challenge by Pepple on George Wells saw him into the book, before Ben Mulley fired another effort straight at Orlowski. Wells fired an effort wide after Maciocia had cleared another long throw. Villa thought they had taken the lead on 28 minutes when a ball split the Rovers backline and although Josh Casey converted the flag went up for offside.
Rovers then had a chance of their own, also following a long throw, this time Alfie Cues throw was half cleared to Maciocia but his effort curled wide of the left hand post. Ten minutes before the break and Orlowski claimed a Wells header under the crossbar after yet another long throw. Rovers should have opened the scoring on 38 minutes, Pepple won a free kick on the right, Maciocias delivery found skipper Bert Lloyd but his header was tame and comfortable for Smith.
Two minutes later and after Joe Peters underhit a back pass Pepple almost pounced but keeper Smith just beat him to the ball and his clearance rebounded off Pepple for a goalkick.
Half time came with plenty of huff and puff, a fair few chances but nothing to seriously test either keeper.
As with the first half, Rovers made a bright start, and Pepple almost capitalised on a slip by Smith but the Villa keeper recovered to clear. Three minutes into the half and neat link up between Chris Adugyamfi and Maciocia ended with a decent cross being cleared just before Isaac Kamin could strike for goal.
Adugyamfi did well to get beyond Guy Ansah-Palmer on the left, and his low cross was cleared to Darnell Bromfield but his shot went wide of the right hand post. Shortly after and a header by Ansah-Palmer forced Smith into a full length save (one for the camera, who did not oblige).
Merson picked out Wells with a huge throw and his deflected shot fell to Mead but his effort went wide of the right hand post. On the hour Mead found Merson but his shot was deflected and comfortable for Orlowski.
Peters denied Pepple with a great tackle and a quick break involving Ansah-Palmer and Dunne eventually saw Adbullah Javaids shot easily held by Orlowski, back at the other end and Cue found Adugyamfi and his shot was held by Smith.
Rovers replaced the injured Kamin with Jake Rumble midway through the half, our first change of the day. Villa started to up the pressure and after a half cleared corner found Finlay McNab his effort was deflected for another corner. Javaid then fired a low shot through the crowd bringing the best save of the game out of Orlowski low to his left.
With ten to go Cue did superbly to get beyond Olukayode Osu but Villa defended well and cleared. Rovers had a glorious chance to take the lead with about seven minutes remaining, Osu slipped, Maciocia broke free but delayed his shot and Osu was able to clear.
Rovers made a raft of changes with Torin Ngete, Michael Konan and Joshua Koroma replacing Pepple, Maciocia and Adugyamfi.
Villa struck the only goal with five minutes remaining, a needless free kick on the left saw a deep delivery to the back post, Merson drove the ball across the face of goal and Orlowskis block hit Louis Collins and bounced into the net for the only goal of the game.