CAFC vs Brentwood Town – Preview
Following Monday’s 2–1 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet, the Robins have three games left to secure their Step 3 status, starting with Saturday’s home clash against promotion hopefuls Brentwood Town.
Carshalton Athletic
Despite Monday’s 2–1 defeat to Dulwich Hamlet, the Robins have been in good form recently, picking up 11 points from their last six games. Those results place Carshalton 7th in the recent form guide.
The first game of that run was a 3–1 win over now-relegated Canvey Island. The Robins fell behind early when Mike Finneran headed home from a free-kick, but Carshalton levelled in the 26th minute as Bryan Ifeanyi converted a penalty following a handball in the area. The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 51st minute when Luke O’Neill brought down debutant Nathan Young-Coombes as the last man. The numerical advantage allowed Carshalton to control the remainder of the game, and goals from substitutes Tolu Ladapo and Charlie George secured a vital three points.
After waiting nearly four months for that win, the Robins made it back-to-back victories with a 1–0 win at Cheshunt, where Nathan Young-Coombes’ 74th-minute strike proved decisive in a tight encounter.
Steven Bates’ side then extended their run to three consecutive wins with a 4–1 home victory over Wingate & Finchley. Young-Coombes opened the scoring in the third minute, before Denzel Akyeampong doubled the lead after 19 minutes. Leading 2–0 at half-time, Carshalton made a fast start to the second half, going 3–0 up through Fabio Saraiva. Wingate pulled one back through Romeo Akinola, but Tolu Ladapo’s late penalty sealed a convincing win.
Carshalton made it 10 points from four games in March with a 3–3 draw away at league leaders Folkestone. The hosts took the lead through Ben Mason, but the Robins responded with three first-half goals from Ryan Huke, Tolu Ladapo, and Nathan Young-Coombes.
Folkestone improved significantly after the break and struck back through Liam Smith and Ryan Kingsford. Carshalton were forced to withstand a late onslaught but held on for what could prove to be a crucial point in the battle for survival.
On Saturday, Carshalton hosted play-off-chasing Dartford and led at half-time after Ryan Huke scored in the 38th minute. Dartford turned the game around to lead 2–1 through Sam Odaudu and Rohan Vaughan. The Robins looked set to leave empty-handed, but in stoppage time, Denzel Akyeampong’s cross was headed home by Fabio Saraiva to secure a 2–2 draw.
Last time out, the Robins made the short trip to face Dulwich Hamlet. The game could not have started worse, with former Robin David Smith scoring within the first minute, and Anthony Jeffrey doubling Hamlet’s advantage after 25 minutes. Carshalton pulled a goal back in the 59th minute through Nathan Young-Coombes, but were unable to find an equaliser as Dulwich secured a 2–1 victory.
Carshalton have just three games remaining: Brentwood Town (4th) at home, Aveley (2nd) away, and St Albans City (11th) at home on the final day of the season. It is a tough set of fixtures for the Robins, but they still have their future in their own hands, sitting two points ahead of Hashtag United and Welling United, and three ahead of Cray Valley PM.
Brentwood Town
Brentwood Town FC’s roots stretch back to the 19th century, when an earlier Brentwood club reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1886. However, the modern club effectively dates from 1954, when Manor Athletic was formed and later evolved – through several name changes – into Brentwood Town in 2004.
While this historical background is notable, Brentwood’s most compelling story lies in their recent on-pitch progress within the non-league pyramid. A key turning point came in the 2006–07 season, when the club won the Essex Senior League and earned promotion to the Isthmian League. Over the following decade, they established themselves as a competitive Step 4 side, regularly pushing for promotion via the play-offs.
The 2014–15 season marked a major breakthrough. Brentwood won the Isthmian North play-offs in emphatic style, defeating Thurrock 5–0 in the final to reach the Isthmian Premier Division for the first time in their history. However, this success proved short-lived, as they were relegated the following season, highlighting the challenges of sustaining progress at higher levels.
In recent years, Brentwood have remained consistently competitive. The 2021–22 season saw them reach the play-off final, only to lose on penalties to Canvey Island. A similar story unfolded in 2023–24, when they again fell short in the final, this time to Bowers & Pitsea – demonstrating both their quality and their frustration in crucial matches.
Persistence finally paid off in 2024–25, as Brentwood Town won the Isthmian League North Division title, securing promotion back to Step 3. This achievement, after multiple near-misses, reflects a club that has steadily built resilience and ambition, making them an increasingly strong force in non-league football.
This season, Brentwood have been flying and sit in 4th place with 71 points from 39 games, with a record of 22 wins, 5 draws, and 12 defeats. With three games to go, the Blues are in a strong position to secure a play-off spot and a chance at promotion to Step 2.
Head to Head
The sides met back in September at Brentwood Town. Carshalton took the lead after 40 minutes through Bryan Ifeanyi but were pegged back immediately, with star striker Daniel Ogunleye scoring a minute later. The Robins did go into half-time ahead, however, as Kola Salami netted in first-half stoppage time.
Brentwood fought back in the second half, turning the contest around with goals from Louie Johnson and Charlee Hughes to win 3–2 and remain top of the table after five wins and a draw from their first six games.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Two new signings were announced prior to the Dartford game. Defender Moussa Diarra has joined on dual registration from Wealdstone, while former Millwall forward Kavalli Heywood has also signed.
Diarra made his debut at centre-back against Dulwich Hamlet, while Heywood was involved in the warm-ups at Champion Hill, narrowly missing out on the matchday squad. Manager Steven Bates has done a good job of integrating his new signings quickly, and both players will hope to play key roles in the final three games.
Pre-Match Analysis
Saturday’s match is important for both sides, albeit for different reasons. Brentwood Town have had an excellent season and currently sit 4th, one point ahead of Chatham Town in 5th and three points ahead of Dartford in 6th. Seven points from their final three games would secure a play-off spot, and they will be targeting a positive result on Saturday to keep their fate in their own hands.
Carshalton sit 17th, two points ahead of Welling United and Hashtag United, and three points ahead of Cray Valley PM. Like their opponents, they also control their own destiny, and a win – combined with favourable results elsewhere – would provide a valuable buffer heading into the final two fixtures against Aveley and St Albans.
Key Player
Daniel Ogunleye has emerged as one of the most exciting non-league forwards in recent English football, playing a key role for Brentwood Town. A dynamic and versatile attacker, he is known for his pace, flair, and natural eye for goal, capable of operating across the front line and troubling defences with intelligent movement and technical ability.
Ogunleye’s football journey began in Brentwood’s youth setup before moving into academy systems at clubs such as Southampton and Forest Green Rovers, experiences that helped shape his development at a higher level. After spells with teams including Coggeshall Town and Herne Bay, he returned to Brentwood and gradually established himself as a key figure in the squad.
His breakthrough came during the 2024/25 season, when he enjoyed a remarkable campaign. Ogunleye scored 43 goals in all competitions, finishing as the league’s top scorer and playing a decisive role in Brentwood Town’s title-winning season. His contributions not only secured silverware but also earned him widespread recognition, including a place in the Team of the Season.
Beyond the statistics, Ogunleye is admired for his work rate and creativity, often described as a “tricky forward” who enjoys both scoring and creating goals. His performances have attracted interest from professional clubs such as Colchester United and Fleetwood Town, highlighting his potential to progress into the Football League.
This season, Ogunleye has maintained his strong form. Despite stepping up from Step 4 to Step 3, he currently sits second in the Isthmian Premier Division Golden Boot race with 19 goals, just two behind Folkestone Invicta’s Jake Hutchinson. Having scored in the reverse fixture, he will be looking to add to his tally and help keep Brentwood in the play-off places.
The Gaffer
Keith Rowland was appointed manager of Brentwood Town in October 2023 and enjoyed a successful playing career as a defender before moving into management.
During his playing days, Rowland featured for several clubs across the English football system. He is perhaps best known for his time at West Ham United and Coventry City, where he played in the Premier League. He also represented AFC Bournemouth, Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town, and Chesterfield. Across his career, he made nearly 300 league appearances and earned 19 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring once.
After retiring, Rowland transitioned into coaching and management within non-league football, holding roles at Wingate & Finchley, Aveley, and Tilbury. He has built a reputation for developing competitive teams and achieving strong league performances.
Since taking charge at Brentwood Town, he has had a significant impact. Despite joining mid-season, he guided the club to the Isthmian North play-offs, where they reached the final following a semi-final win at Bury Town. However, a penalty shootout defeat to Bowers & Pitsea denied them promotion.
The following season, he led Brentwood to the Isthmian League North title, securing promotion and marking a major achievement in the club’s history. His leadership has been praised for its organisation, ambition, and ability to get the best out of his players.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 11th April 2026
Opponents: Brentwood Town FC
Venue: Colston Avenue
Competition: Isthmian League
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adults £12, Conc £9, U18 £6, Women & Girls FREE
Tickets: Here or purchase at the turnstiles
