CAFC vs Canvey Island – Preview
Following Carshalton’s 2–0 win against Potters Bar, the Robins are back on the road this Saturday, making the trip to Essex to face Canvey Island.
Carshalton Athletic
After back-to-back draws with Hashtag United and Ramsgate, the Robins returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 2–0 victory over Potters Bar Town. That result extended their unbeaten league run to three games and lifted them up to 9th in the table.
They’ll be looking to continue that good form on their visit to Canvey Island – a side that has proved something of a bogey team for Carshalton in recent seasons.
Canvey Island FC
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Canvey Island. They opened with five straight league defeats before earning their first point in a draw at Dartford. A brief bright spot came in the FA Trophy with a win over Whitehawk, but their first league victory didn’t arrive until their tenth game – an impressive 3–2 home win over league leaders and Essex rivals Brentwood Town.
That was followed by a draw at Cray Valley, hinting that things might be turning around. However, a penalty shootout defeat to Benfleet in the Essex Cup led to the resignation of manager Peter Taylor.
Garry Kimble was appointed as the new manager on Wednesday and got off to the perfect start at the weekend, guiding his side to a 2–0 win away at Burgess Hill Town.
Head to Head
Last season, the Robins travelled to face the Gulls in October. On a cold Tuesday night, the hosts took the lead in the second half through Jamie Salmon and held on to claim all three points.
Carshalton gained their revenge in the return fixture at Colston Avenue in February. After Darren Foxley put Canvey ahead in the fifth minute, the visitors were reduced to ten men just before half-time when Jamie Salmon picked up a second yellow card. The Robins took full advantage after the break—Nabeel Ghannam equalised just a minute into the second half, and David Smith put them in front on 67 minutes. Despite a few nervy moments, Carshalton held on for the win.
Pre-Match Analysis
Despite Canvey Island’s lowly position in the table, the Robins know this will be no easy task – “Canvey Island” and “tough place to go” often appear in the same sentence for a reason.
Carshalton are winless in their last five visits to Park Lane, with their last victory there coming back in 2011. The Gulls’ recent managerial change could also make this a trickier test; Garry Kimble’s arrival appears to have sparked a response, with a win in his first game in charge.
Canvey face Wingate & Finchley in midweek, while the Robins have no fixture, meaning they could head into Saturday’s clash the fresher of the two sides.
The Gaffer
Canvey Island began the season under former England manager Peter Taylor. However, following their Essex Cup exit on penalties to Step 5 side Benfleet and a poor run of league form that left them bottom of the table, Taylor stepped down. Player-coach Michael Finneran briefly took charge on an interim basis before the club confirmed the appointment of Garry Kimble as first-team manager on Wednesday.
A former Canvey Island player himself, Kimble enjoyed a professional career with clubs including Charlton, Fulham, Doncaster, and Gillingham. As a manager, he has extensive experience across Essex, having led Tilbury, Burnham Ramblers, Great Wakering Rovers, and two spells with Witham Town, from whom he joins the Gulls.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 8th November 2025
Opponents: Canvey Island
Venue: Steves Taxis Stadium, SS8 7PX
Competition: Isthmian Premier League
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adults £12, Conc £8, U16 £3
Tickets: Purchase at the turnstiles
