Home | 18 July 2026
Villa mark 50th anniversary with comeback win over Carshalton
By | Abhishek Ramesh
Hanworth Villa marked their 50th anniversary celebrations with a 2-1 home win over Carshalton Athletic in their fourth preseason friendly.
Tope Fadahunsi gave the visitors the lead at half-time, but two quickfire goals from Brandon Curtis and Guy Ansah-Palmer at the start of the second period settled the match.
The day was extra special for Ansah-Palmer, who was awarded last season’s Player of the Year by the fans, players, manager and the club. Striker Liam Ferdinand received the Golden Boot as last season’s top scorer.
The game’s first chance came Carshalton’s way in the 13th minute when a missed clearance by a Villa defender allowed a shot on goal, albeit it was dragged wide.
Then Carshalton No. 9's strike from distance landed on top of the net’s roof just before the quarter-of-an-hour mark.
Villa’s first real opportunity came in the 20th minute when wideman Billy Nutbeam swung in a dangerous delivery from the left. Michael Harding flicked it on towards goal, but unfortunately, his header just missed the far post.
The first half hour saw much feisty action in the middle of the pitch, but neither keeper had been tested.
That changed in the 31st minute when Tyla Dickinson was forced into a save, but he couldn’t keep the rebound out from Fadahunsi.
Carshalton’s No. 9 then struck the upright with a looping header in the 34th minute, before Dickinson reacted excellently to block the second attempt.
Two minutes later, the away side’s winger cut inside and shot at goal, but it was too easy for Dickinson.
Villa then came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half. In the 47th minute, Ferdinand’s pass in behind was slightly overhit for Harding.
However, just seconds later, Villa were clean through on goal with Curtis, who finished past the keeper with aplomb to level the score.
If Villa’s equaliser seemed easy, then their second in the 53rd minute was like taking candy from a kid. Curtis swung in a sumptuous corner that evaded everyone around the six-yard box, only for Guy Ansah-Palmer to nod in unmarked at the far stick.
Another curled-in Curtis delivery, this time from a free kick, missed Nutbeam’s head by a whisker three minutes later.
In the 70th minute, Gio McGregor’s cross towards the far post found fellow substitute Jack Timberlake, who headed over.
A minute later, Louis Gates galloped through the middle towards the goal, but his left-footed shot was straight at the Carshalton goalie.
In the end, the missed chances didn’t matter as Villa, wearing an anniversary special kit, racked up their third friendly win in a row.
The day also featured a match between coaches and veterans, which ended 2-1 in favour of the latter.
The preseason continues as Villa take on Kingstonian at Rectory Meadow on Tuesday, 21st of July, with kickoff at 7.45 pm.
