CAFC vs Burgess Hill Town – Preview
After Saturday’s 2–0 defeat at Whitehawk, the Robins return to Colston Avenue on Monday night – this time to face newly promoted Burgess Hill Town.
Carshalton Athletic
Following their win over Burgess Hill a few weeks ago, the Robins beat Welling United 2–1, suggesting a positive turn in form. However, since then, they’ve suffered three straight defeats: a 2–1 home loss to Cheshunt in the FA Trophy, a penalty shootout exit to AFC Whyteleafe in the Surrey Senior Cup, and most recently, a 2–0 defeat away at Whitehawk.
Carshalton will be eager to put this poor run behind them as they prepare for three consecutive home games: Burgess Hill Town on Monday, Hashtag United at the weekend, and Binfield in the Velocity Cup the following Monday. It’s a crucial opportunity to reset and build momentum.
Burgess Hill Town FC
Burgess Hill Town return to the Isthmian Premier Division after a six-year absence. They finished 3rd in the Isthmian South East last season with 90 points, defeated Margate 2–0 in the playoff semi-final, and then stunned Sittingbourne – who had amassed 101 points – by winning the final on penalties following a 1–1 draw.
Since stepping up to Step 3, the Hill have experienced mixed results: three wins, three draws, and four defeats in the league so far. Their standout moment came in August with a 2–1 away victory over Cray Valley. They also cruised past Wokingham Town 5–1 in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.
Notably, Burgess Hill played their first six league matches away from home due to the installation of a new artificial pitch at Leylands Park. Of their ten league games so far, only three have been at home. However, after a 2–0 home win over Hashtag United on Saturday, they’ll be hoping to turn Leylands Park into a fortress.
Head to Head
These two sides met recently for the first time since 2019. At Leylands Park, Burgess Hill struck first through George Vorster. Tolu Ladapo equalised for Carshalton after 21 minutes, but the Hill regained the lead through Martyn Box. With ten minutes to go and Carshalton trailing, the Robins launched a dramatic comeback: Ricky Korboa made it 2–2, Ladapo’s shot was helped in by a defender, and Salami capped the game with a goal in the final moments to seal a 4–2 win.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Manager Peter Adeniyi handed a debut to left-back Renedi Masampu at Whitehawk. The 25-year-old, a former Chelsea youth player, has previously been on the books at Whyteleafe, Dulwich Hamlet, Birmingham City, Met Police, Hornchurch, and Enfield Town. Most recently, he made 16 appearances for Hampton & Richmond in the National League South last season.
Masampu completed the full 90 minutes at Whitehawk, looked sharp, and could retain his place in the starting XI for Monday’s match.
Pre-Match Analysis
Both sides have had inconsistent starts to the season, making Monday’s clash a vital one for momentum. With their previous meeting still fresh in the memory, Burgess Hill will be keen to avenge their late defeat, while Carshalton will aim to rediscover their form at home.
This is a winnable fixture for both teams – and potentially a launchpad for a stronger run in the league.
Key Player
A familiar name to Carshalton fans, Bobby Price made his Robins debut in 2013 and went on to make nearly 300 appearances, scoring 26 goals. After a stint with Horsham, he joined Burgess Hill in 2024 and played a key role in their promotion campaign, making 44 appearances last season.
Now 30, Price has been a regular in the Hill’s line-up this term. He scored in their 3–3 draw at Aveley in August and helped keep a clean sheet in Saturday’s win over Hashtag United. Expect him to feature again on Monday – and to receive a warm reception from the Robins faithful.
The Gaffers
Gary Mansell took charge of Burgess Hill in December 2023 and helped the club to a mid-table finish that season. Ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, Jay Lovett returned to the club to form a joint-management team with Mansell.
The partnership sparked a remarkable turnaround, as the Hill doubled their previous season’s points total – finishing with 90 – and secured promotion in dramatic fashion with a penalty shootout victory over Sittingbourne in front of 1,583 fans.
Now adjusting to life back in the Isthmian Premier, the management duo will be focused on stabilising their side at this level and building toward a strong finish.
Match Details
Date: Monday 13th October 2025
Opponents: Burgess Hill Town FC
Venue: Colston Avenue, SM5 2PW
Competition: Isthmian Premier League
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Admission: Adults £12, Conc £9, U18 £6
Tickets: Here or Purchase at the turnstiles
