CAFC vs Bromley XI – Preview
Following the end-of-season break, Carshalton Athletic begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly against a Bromley XI on Saturday at Colston Avenue.
Carshalton Athletic
The 2025/26 season was a tough one for Carshalton Athletic. The Robins started well, opening the campaign with a 2–0 win over Cray Valley PM at the Artic Stadium, thanks to goals from Bryan Ifeanyi and Tommy Bradford. They followed that up a week later with a 1–0 victory over Billericay.
The Robins suffered an early FA Cup exit, narrowly losing 3–2 to Wingate & Finchley in a replay during a seven-game winless run. However, they bounced back with consecutive wins over Burgess Hill Town (4–2) and Welling United (2–1).
Cup competitions proved difficult for Carshalton. They exited the FA Trophy at the first hurdle with a 2–1 defeat to Cheshunt, were knocked out of the Surrey Senior Cup on penalties by AFC Whyteleafe, and suffered a 3–0 home defeat to Binfield in the Isthmian League Cup.
The Robins did put together a six-game unbeaten run in the league between late October and mid-November. This included draws against Hashtag United (2–2), Ramsgate (2–2), Canvey Island (2–2), and Aveley (1–1), along with wins over Potters Bar Town (2–0) and a thrilling 3–2 victory at Lewes’ Dripping Pan.
However, following that win at Lewes, Carshalton endured a 16-game winless run. During this period, manager Peter Adeniyi stepped down, with Steven Bates taking over.
Bates’ first three games in charge all ended in defeat – against Ramsgate (2–1), Welling United (2–1), and Potters Bar Town (2–1). However, he ended the club’s barren spell at the beginning of March with a 3–1 win over Canvey Island at Colston Avenue. This was followed by a 1–0 victory at Cheshunt and an impressive 4–1 win over Wingate & Finchley.
Carshalton made it 10 points from four games in March with a 3–3 draw away to 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 after the break and hit back through Liam Smith and Ryan Kingsford. Carshalton had to withstand a late onslaught but held on for what proved to be a crucial point in the battle for survival.
The Robins then hosted play-off-chasing Dartford and led at half-time thanks to Ryan Huke’s 38th-minute strike. Dartford turned the game around through Sam Odaudu and Rohan Vaughan to lead 2–1. Just as it seemed Carshalton would leave empty-handed, Denzel Akyeampong’s stoppage-time cross was headed home by Fabio Saraiva to secure a dramatic 2–2 draw.
A quick turnaround followed, with a short trip to face Dulwich Hamlet on Easter Monday. The match got off to the worst possible start as former Robin David Smith scored inside the opening minute, before Anthony Jeffrey doubled the hosts’ lead after 25 minutes. Carshalton pulled one back through Nathan Young-Coombes in the 59th minute but were unable to find an equaliser, as Dulwich secured a 2–1 victory.
Carshalton then hosted play-off-chasing Brentwood Town. The Robins took the lead after 15 minutes through Luke Read but were pegged back almost immediately by an own goal. Brentwood went ahead in the 54th minute through Kymani Thomas before Carshalton responded to make it 2–2 when Ladapo’s delivery was turned into the net by a Brentwood defender. However, Brentwood capitalised on their pressure, with Thomas scoring again to make it 3–2 before Daniel Ogunleye sealed a 4–2 victory in stoppage time.
Carshalton travelled to Essex to face Aveley on the penultimate weekend of the season. Despite the hosts sitting second in the league, the Robins produced a determined performance to secure a 0–0 draw and pick up a valuable point.
Carshalton needed a positive result on the final day, with 10th-placed St Albans City visiting Colston Avenue. It was a nervy afternoon, but a fantastic first-half strike from Nathan Young-Coombes was enough to seal a 1–0 victory, leapfrogging Hashtag United and securing Isthmian Premier League football for another season.
Bromley XI
Bromley Football Club was founded in 1892 and has grown from a long-established non-league side into one of English football’s most remarkable success stories. Based in south-east London, the Ravens play their home matches at Hayes Lane, a ground they have occupied since 1938. For well over a century, Bromley competed outside the English Football League, building a reputation as a respected non-league club with a loyal local following and a proud history that included success in amateur football and several memorable cup runs.
The club’s modern rise began to accelerate over the last decade. Bromley won promotion to the National League in 2015 after claiming the Conference South title and steadily established themselves as one of the division’s strongest teams. They reached the FA Trophy final in 2018 before finally lifting the trophy in 2022 with a 1–0 victory over Wrexham at Wembley, giving supporters one of the greatest days in the club’s history.
Under manager Andy Woodman, appointed in 2021, Bromley continued to progress. In 2024, the Ravens earned promotion to the Football League for the first time by defeating Solihull Moors on penalties in the National League play-off final. It ended a 132-year wait to join the EFL and marked a historic milestone for the club.
Their momentum did not stop there. In the 2025/26 season, Bromley secured automatic promotion from League Two to League One by winning the league and reaching the third tier of English football for the first time. The achievement cemented Bromley’s reputation as one of the fastest-rising clubs in the country and highlighted the remarkable transformation of a club that spent more than a century outside the Football League.
Head to Head
Carshalton took on a Bromley XI in a pre-season friendly last year. On a warm Saturday afternoon at Colston Avenue, the Robins fell behind before roaring back to win 5–1 thanks to a hat-trick from Kola Salami, along with goals from Tommy Bradford and a trialist.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
The post-season is a busy time for football managers, especially at non-league clubs, and Steven Bates has been working hard to build his squad ahead of the new season.
Midfielder Fabio Saraiva – an influential figure for the Robins – was the first player to be announced as retained, along with defenders Fikayo Atewologun and Denzel Akyeampong. Former Millwall winger Kavalli Heywood will also be part of Bates’ squad this season, as will midfielder Charlie George.
Striker Nathan Young-Coombes, who scored an impressive five goals in nine games after joining Carshalton, including crucial winners against Cheshunt and St Albans, has also agreed terms for another season. The former Brentford man has been working hard during the off-season and will be looking to continue where he left off once the campaign gets underway.
A number of new signings have also been announced. Forward Tope Fadahunsi joins the club after leaving Chatham Town. The striker scored 17 goals in all competitions last season as Chatham reached the play-offs, including one at Colston Avenue in January.
Defender Ethan Kaiser arrives after an excellent season with Brentwood Town, while goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski joins after most recently featuring for Havant & Waterlooville.
However, there have also been some departures. Club legend Tommy Bradford has left after 14 seasons at Colston Avenue, joining Isthmian South East side Merstham. Luke Read, after making more than 200 appearances for the club, has moved closer to home by signing for beaten play-off finalists Brentwood Town. Last season’s top scorer Bryan Ifeanyi has stepped up two divisions to join National League side Forest Green Rovers under manager Robbie Savage, while Kola Salami has also moved up a level by signing for National League South side Dover Athletic.
Pre-Match Analysis
Saturday’s match will provide supporters with their first opportunity to see Steven Bates’ new-look side in action during pre-season. With training already underway and eight friendly matches scheduled, Bates will use these fixtures to build fitness, develop tactical patterns, and begin settling on his strongest squad ahead of the opening league fixture on Saturday 8th August.
For Bromley, the visitors are expected to bring a talented young squad to Colston Avenue, with plenty of players eager to impress as they look to force their way into first-team contention or secure loan moves ahead of the new campaign.
Key Player
Twenty-year-old right-back Nathan Paul Lavaly will be a familiar name to Carshalton Athletic supporters after enjoying a successful loan spell at the club. Joining on a short-term deal at the beginning of 2025, Lavaly impressed and scored winning goals against Hastings at Colston Avenue in the league and Abbey Rangers in the Surrey Senior Cup.
Due to injuries at his parent club, Lavaly was recalled and went on to make his EFL debut against Doncaster. Last season, the full-back spent time on loan at National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough and Folkestone Invicta, where he picked up an Isthmian League winners’ medal with the Kent club.
The Gaffer
Andy Woodman has established himself as one of the most respected managers in the lower divisions of English football through his outstanding work at Bromley FC.
Before moving into management, Woodman enjoyed a lengthy playing career as a goalkeeper, representing clubs including Crystal Palace, Northampton Town, Brentford, Colchester United and Oxford United. After retiring in 2006, he moved into coaching, working as assistant manager at Rushden & Diamonds before developing an impressive reputation as a goalkeeping coach.
Woodman spent many years working alongside Alan Pardew at West Ham United, Charlton Athletic, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, helping to develop goalkeepers at the highest level. He later became Head of Goalkeeping at Arsenal, where he worked under Mikel Arteta before deciding to pursue a career in management.
In March 2021, Woodman accepted the challenge of becoming Bromley manager. His impact was immediate, guiding the club into the National League play-offs in his first season. A year later, he led the Ravens to their first major trophy by winning the FA Trophy at Wembley with victory over Wrexham.
Woodman’s greatest achievement came in 2024 when he guided Bromley to promotion to the English Football League for the first time in the club’s history after victory in the National League play-off final. His side adapted well to League Two football before securing another promotion to League One, establishing Bromley as one of the country’s fastest-rising clubs.
Renowned for his strong leadership, high standards and excellent man-management, Woodman has transformed Bromley into one of English football’s modern success stories and remains central to the club’s continued progress.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 4th July 2026
Opponents: Bromley XI
Venue: Colston Avenue
Competition: Friendly
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adults £10 Conc £8 U18 £5, Season Ticket Holders FREE, Women & Girls FREE. Tickets are £1 cheaper if paying by card.
Tickets: purchase at the turnstiles
