After a run of six games without a win, Hanwell Town got their league title aspirations back on track on Saturday with a slender 1-0 win over Holmer Green, writes Bob Fisher.

However, they remain in fifth place in the Spartan South Midlands League, nine points behind league leaders Harefield United, who they meet later in the month.

In difficult conditions with a strong wind and continual rain for much of the game, Town dominated throughout but had immense difficulty in breaking down a well organised and resolute Holmer Green defence.

In the first half, Hanwell only managed one shot on target and that was a tame effort by Blaise O'Brien that provided a comfortable save for Gareth Tinsley in the visitors' goal.

At the other end, Town's keeper Kieron Jimmy was virtually a spectator and rarely has he had such an easy afternoon.

The game opened up to an extent in the second half although both defences continued to dominate.

Jason Tucker almost opened the scoring for Town 12 minutes into the half when his curling free-kick into the goal area eluded everybody except for Tinsley, who just managed to scramble it behind at the far post.

However, two minutes later, Town scored what proved to be the decisive goal when a good ball by Tucker found O'Brien clear on the left. O'Brien turned past a defender before crossing for Town's skipper Matt Kidson to deftly head over Tinsley into the roof of the net.

Shortly afterwards, Town replaced Warren Williams with George Mapes and Mapes had an immediate effect on the game with a strong individual run that only ended when he was crowded out as he raced into the penalty area.

Shortly afterwards, only a last ditch tackle prevented Mapes from what would have been a clear shooting opportunity.

Town continued to dominate as the game drew to a close and in the final minute, Lee Clarke almost marked his full debut with a goal, only being denied by Tinsley's fingertips after Mapes' low cross had found him all alone on the far post.

This Saturday, Town travel to meet Haringey Borough on a ground where they have a dismal record over the years.