Windsor find there’s little margin for error

There's very little margin for error when you play the league leaders, and Windsor found that out to their cost when they visited the runaway league leaders Hanworth Villa on Saturday.

The Royalists led at the break, thanks to Charlie Losasso’s 35th minute penalty, and manager Mark Cooper felt they were good value for it. But the hosts responded in the manner of champions, netting three times in the first 10 minutes of the second period to take the game away from the visitors. Their second and third goals in the 49th and 56th minute were notably scored by Paul Merson’s son, Sam.

Windsor substitute Jake Hammond grabbed a second for the visitors in the 88th minute, and Cooper felt there was still time for them to snatch a late share of the spoils, but Hanworth saw out the final minutes in a professional manner to remain unbeaten at the top of the Combined Counties Premier Division North table.

“We were very much aware we were travelling away to the league leaders who are someway clear and on a great run,” said Cooper.

“Therefore, we changed the formation to a 5-3-2 and that really suited us in the first half – I think we were good for our lead. We didn’t give them anything, we were good at counterattacking, and we scored our goal from that. After the break, however, they came out firing and they were ruthless with the chances we gave them. The lad up front, Sam Merson – Paul Merson’s son – his finishing and allround play was elite for this level.

“We’ve not played a better side all season, they were a very complete team, and like I say, with the front man they had, for those 10 minutes, they were outstanding It was extremely difficult for us to get back in the game. We hung in there and obviously got our goal towards the end and might have snatched something given the time left.”

Cooper added: “We had five or six minutes after that where we pressed for an equaliser, but they held on very firmly. They are a very good side, and I don’t think many teams will go there and get anything this year.

“The one thing I would say is that with the mistakes we made, on other days, we would’ve got away with them. But against these top sides, you don’t get away with it – you get punished.”

Next up for Windsor is a trip to local rivals Burnham on Saturday.