CAFC vs Merstham FC – Preview
Carshalton Athletic make the short trip to Moatside this Saturday to face Merstham in their final pre-season fixture ahead of the 2025–26 campaign.
Robins Review
Carshalton’s pre-season has offered a healthy mix of competitive tests, encouraging performances, and opportunities for both returning players and trialists to stake their claim ahead of the new campaign.
The Robins kicked things off with a 3–2 win over Whyteleafe, one of the most ambitious sides on the rise toward Step 4. That was followed by a commanding 5–1 victory against a youthful Bromley XI, showcasing attacking flair and dominance.
A 1–1 draw with National League South side Hampton & Richmond was perhaps the standout performance to date. The Robins more than matched their higher-tier opponents and arguably should have taken the win, having created several gilt-edged chances late on. Another 1–1 draw followed against groundsharers Sutton Common Rovers, before a narrow but deserved 1–0 win over Step 4 side Raynes Park Vale in their most recent outing.
With a number of trialists featuring throughout pre-season, alongside key retained players, Adeniyi has used the summer schedule to build sharpness, test depth, and fine-tune his side’s shape heading into the 2025–26 season.
Merstham
The Robins conclude their preparations for the 2025–26 season with a visit to Moatside, where they will take on Merstham. Since their relegation from the Isthmian Premier in 2021–22, the Moatsiders have been on a steady rebuilding path. They narrowly avoided a second successive drop in 2022–23, thanks to a crucial 3–1 victory over Egham Town in the now-defunct Step 4/5 Inter-Step Play-Off, a match that many will remember was overseen by current Robins boss, Adeniyi.
Merstham have since stabilised in the Isthmian League South Central Division. A 15th-place finish in 2023–24 showed signs of progress, and they went one better last season, clinching the final play-off spot in 2024–25 with a commanding 3–0 win over Erith Town in mid-April.
Their play-off journey saw them face runners-up Sittingbourne in the semi-finals. The Brickies, unbeaten at home all season and 23 points ahead of fifth-placed Merstham, proved a step too far. After a tight first half, Sittingbourne turned on the style at Woodstock on a warm Tuesday evening. Mitchell May opened the scoring and set up Ryan Kingsford for the second. Ade Azeez struck twice, sandwiching a bizarre own goal from Korrey Henry, before Fin Johnson grabbed a late consolation for Merstham in a 4–2 defeat.
Despite the loss, Merstham’s season under Jamie Decruz was a resounding success. They finished in the top five and proved their mettle against the division’s best, beating both champions Ramsgate and runners-up Sittingbourne, and drawing twice with third-placed Burgess Hill and fourth-placed Margate.
Merstham’s pre-season form has been something of a mixed bag. They opened with a goalless draw at Walton & Hersham, followed by a 3–1 win over Haywards Heath, and another stalemate against Bedfont. A 4–2 victory over Combined Counties Premier South side Horley Town suggested attacking momentum was building, but that was abruptly halted last weekend with a heavy 6–0 defeat to Leatherhead – a fellow Step 4 side. The result was a stark reminder of the inconsistencies that can surface in pre-season, and the fine-tuning still required before the league campaign kicks off.
It is therefore the ideal preparation for Adeniyi’s side a week before the new campaign begins – a final test against playoff-level opposition on their own turf.
Team News
Merstham have added several fresh faces ahead of the new season. Among the new arrivals is exciting winger Louis Degand, formerly of Met Police and Chertsey Town, known for his pace and direct style. Also joining is dynamic midfielder Louis Evans from Broadbridge Heath, who brings energy and a high-tempo approach in the middle of the park.
In attack, Jamarie Brissett signs on following spells with Beckenham Town, Leatherhead, and Phoenix Sports, while experienced forward Korrey Henry has been retained after a productive campaign last term.
One notable addition from a Carshalton perspective is the return of a familiar face — Paris Hamilton-Downes, our former captain and club legend, has made the switch to Moatside, adding leadership and experience to Jamie Decruz’s side.
Pre-Match Analysis
Merstham were one of the division’s most entertaining sides last season, finishing third in the league for goals scored with an impressive 92 goals. Defensively, they were less watertight, conceding 62 goals—the fifth-highest in the division and level with AFC Croydon Athletic.
Their form at Moatside was a key factor in their play-off push, recording 11 wins, 7 draws, and just 3 defeats at home—ranking them fourth in the league for home performance.
Key Player – Korrey Henry (Forward)
A proven goalscorer at this level, Korrey Henry has become a fan favourite at Moatside since joining from Carshalton Athletic, where he had a brief spell after initially impressing under Frank Wilson’s management. He formed a deadly partnership with John Ufuah during his first stint at Merstham, with the duo regularly tormenting defences before Carshalton came calling.
Henry began his career in West Ham United’s U18s and brings a wealth of experience from spells at Yeovil Town, Poole, Braintree, Bromley, and Dulwich Hamlet. Although his 2023–24 campaign was disrupted by injury, he bounced back emphatically last season, finishing as Merstham’s top scorer with 25 goals—a full 15 goals clear of the club’s next highest scorer.
A physical presence with sharp movement and a clinical edge, Merstham fans will be hoping the powerful striker can stay fit and lead the line again this season.
The Gaffer – Jamie Decruz
Jamie Decruz began his managerial journey at Sutton United, progressing through the ranks from U18s to U23s, before gaining valuable first-team experience. In 2021, he took on his first senior role with Colliers Wood United, where he guided the club to their highest league finish in two decades.
Following a brief spell as assistant manager at Kingstonian in the summer of 2023, Decruz was appointed Merstham manager at the end of September. His debut couldn’t have been more dramatic—trailing 3–0 at half-time at home to Beckenham Town, the Moatsiders produced a stunning second-half comeback to win 4–3, setting the tone for what would become a memorable campaign.
Since his arrival, Decruz has become a hugely popular figure at Moatside, known for his clear philosophy, ability to galvanise players, and a fearless approach to the game.
Match Details
Date:Â Saturday, 2 August 2025Â
Venue:Â Moatside
Kickoff:Â 3:00 pm
Admission: Adults (£10), Concessions (£6), Children (£3)
Tickets:Â Buy Tickets Here
