Carshalton and Wingate Draw in the Cup
Carshalton Athletic and Wingate & Finchley played out a goalless draw in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on a wet and windy afternoon at Colston Avenue. The result means the two sides will meet again in a replay on Tuesday night at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.
Robins manager Peter Adeniyi made one change from the defeat to Chichester, with Kola Salami dropping to the bench and Steve Gody returning to the starting XI for his first appearance since October 2024 following a long injury layoff.
It was the visitors who had the first real chance of the game. A mix-up in the Carshalton defence allowed Camilo Restrepo a sight of goal, but Matt Kerbey reacted quickly, getting down well to save with his feet.
Restrepo was involved again in the 13th minute, this time cutting in from the right to deliver a low cross to Johnny Allotey. Fortunately for the Robins, Allotey’s effort went narrowly wide.
Carshalton responded six minutes later with their best opportunity of the first half. From a right-sided corner delivered by Sankoh, Tommy Bradford rose highest to meet the ball, but his powerful header crashed against the crossbar and was eventually cleared.
After conceding seven goals in their previous two games, the Robins looked determined to keep things tight at the back. That resilience was epitomised by Dylan Pepe, who threw himself into a challenge following a smart move between McGettigan and Restrepo. Pepe needed treatment but was thankfully able to continue.
Chances remained limited for the rest of the half. Benjamin Watt tried his luck from distance, but Kerbey held comfortably. Bryan Ifeanyi continued to look lively down the right and earned a yellow card for Charlie Stallard after a tricky run.
At the break, Adeniyi made a change, bringing on Salami for Gody to inject more energy into the attack. But it was Wingate & Finchley who started the second half stronger. Just four minutes in, McGettigan found space and fired a low shot, which Kerbey did well to turn behind for a corner.
Moments later, Restrepo tested the Robins’ keeper again with a powerful free-kick, but Kerbey was equal to it, pushing the ball to safety.
Having weathered the early pressure, Carshalton began to carve out chances of their own. Ifeanyi was again instrumental, drawing a foul on the left that saw Cain Keller go into the book. Minutes later, Salami found space on the left and fired a fierce shot towards the near post, forcing Charlie Grainger into a sharp save that required treatment afterwards.
With ten minutes remaining, Carshalton had a golden opportunity to win it. Ifeanyi slipped a perfectly weighted through-ball to Salami, who raced towards goal, but his shot lacked power and Grainger gathered comfortably.
Wingate nearly snatched a late winner themselves when Allotey broke down the right and delivered a low cross to Restrepo. The forward stretched to meet it but couldn’t make contact, and the ball ran harmlessly wide.
In the dying moments, Adeniyi introduced new signing Parish Muirhead for his Robins debut. The Grenadian international, who featured in World Cup qualifiers over the summer, replaced Dylan Pepe as Carshalton pushed for a late winner.
But with neither side able to find the breakthrough, the referee brought the game to a close. The tie will now be decided in Tuesday’s replay, with a place in the Second Qualifying Round up for grabs.
Up Next
Date: Tuesday 2nd September 2025
Opponents: Wingate and Finchley FC
Competition: FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay
KO: 7.45pm
Venue: Maurice Rebak Stadium, Summers Ln, London N12 0PD
Admissions: Get Tickets Here – Adults £14, Conc £9, 10-16yrs £5, U10 Free
