Home | 29 November 2025
By | Ervin Ang
Josh Casey’s wonder-strike inspires home win over Met Police
The first touch looped over his head, and for a moment it looked like Met Police were in the clear.
Seconds later though, the visitors had their mouths agape, watching in disbelief as Josh Casey swivelled around and unleashed an unstoppable looping volley into the far corner.
Casey’s 17th-minute wonder goal was the catalyst for Hanworth Villa’s 2-0 win over Met Police at Rectory Meadow. Danylo Hubynets added his name to the scoresheet in the second half.
Acknowledging Casey’s heroics, Villa boss Simon Haughney said: “I think it’s got to be a goal of the season contender.
“The first touch loops over the boy’s head, he’s turned the other way and he’s crashed it into the top corner. Fantastic, fantastic finish from Josh. As soon as he hits it, I had a really good view of it and it was going straight in.
“I thought it was a controlled performance throughout from minute zero to minute 90. They (Met Police) have come off the back of three wins. They won 5-1 against Hendon midweek.
“So we always felt the first goal would be really important. Lucky for us that we got it and then from that I only see one winner.”
With the win, Villa extended our unbeaten run to eight games. We remain third on 38 points after 20 matches played, trailing league leaders Leatherhead, who have a game in hand, by seven points.
Westfield, in second place, are two points behind Leatherhead after a morale-boosting 3-2 away win over the runaway Isthmian South Central frontrunners.
Without our suspended captain George Wells, Casey dropped back into the left side of the back three as Joe Peters started for the first time at left-wing-back.
“It was discussed a lot over the week, what we do in that situation (without Wells),” said Haughney.
“I just feel Josh, he’s brave with the line, he’s comfortable on the ball and he can dictate it from a deeper area. So that’s why we went there.
“Obviously Joe’s strength is his athleticism up and down. Everyone did well today, but that was the reason.”
Kensley Maloney was restored into midfield, replacing Sam Mead, while Haughney handed a debut start to new striker Jack Timberlake.
Villa were dominant in the first half and controlled possession for the most part.
With his back towards goal in the 17th minute, Casey stuck out a foot to control Guy Hollis’ long throw, which nearly spiralled out of his reach, on the edge of the Met Police penalty area.
Before he knew it, Met Police goalkeeper Liam Beach was picking the ball out of his net.
After the interval, Villa picked up where we left off and won a penalty 10 minutes after the restart.
Debutant Timberlake showed great intelligence and footwork before he was fouled inside the area, leaving referee Mario Stetakovic no choice but to point to the spot.
Haughney said: “He (Jack) did really well. A lot of endeavour. The second goal was down to him being a nuisance, getting a well-deserved penalty. And that’s the goal that changed the game, gave us a little bit of leeway.”
With first-choice taker Sam Merson out injured, Hubynets took responsibility in the 57th minute. Although his initial attempt was saved, the rebound kindly fell into his path and our Ukrainian striker tucked home on his second go.
Hubynets should have had a hat-trick, but missed a pair of gilt-edged chances.
The first came in the 66th minute, when he won a foot race with the Met Police defender but struck the post with only Beach to beat.
Five minutes later, he was unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box and received a cutback, only to blast the ball over the bar from point-blank range.
The visitors barely had a shot on target as Villa dictated play from start to finish, picking up an eighth clean sheet of the season.
We are now tied with Leatherhead, both having conceded 16 goals, for the accolade of having the meanest defence in the league.
Villa will host Hartley Wintney next Saturday, December 6. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Haughney added: “Hartley are always tough. They got a good management team, good players, they’re fully about it. They’re going to come here and they’re going to fancy themselves.
“If we prepare right, do the right things, I fancy us. It’d be a tough game on the day, but if we perform like we did today, we can win.”
