CAFC vs Cheshunt – Preview
After an impressive performance in Saturday’s draw with league leaders Folkestone Invicta, it is a quick turnaround for the Robins, with Cheshunt visiting Colston Avenue on Monday in another crucial Isthmian League fixture.
Carshalton Athletic
Carshalton come into the game against Cheshunt without a win in their last eight matches. However, performances in recent weeks have been far more encouraging than the results suggest. In their last two home games at Colston Avenue, the Robins have been particularly impressive.
Against Dulwich Hamlet on 27th December, Carshalton were involved in an entertaining contest and were unfortunate not to claim all three points. They created a number of chances and were denied a late winner by a tight offside decision in stoppage time.
Last time out, the Robins faced high-flying Folkestone Invicta, who were 11 points clear at the top of the table going into the game. Despite the gap in league position, Carshalton more than matched their visitors and could even have snatched victory late on, with Bryan Ifeanyi seeing his effort tipped away in stoppage time.
Cheshunt FC
Cheshunt Football Club, known as The Ambers, has a long heritage rooted in Hertfordshire football. The original club dates back to around 1880 and competed in local amateur competitions before folding in 1931 due to financial difficulties. The present incarnation was formed in July 1946, when local businessmen revived football in the town. The club initially played in the London League before settling at Theobalds Lane Stadium in 1949.
In the decades that followed, Cheshunt navigated the non-league pyramid with mixed fortunes. They enjoyed cup success and league honours between the 1950s and 1970s, including London League titles and an Athenian League championship, before sliding down the divisions during the 1980s. A resurgence in the early 2000s under manager Andy Leese brought successive promotions and raised expectations, although subsequent league restructures saw the club move between the Isthmian and Southern Leagues.
More recent seasons represent one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. The appointment of Craig Edwards in January 2018 stabilised the side and culminated in promotion to the Isthmian Premier via the play-offs in the 2018–19 season. After two campaigns disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cheshunt enjoyed a remarkable 2021–22 season. They reached the FA Trophy fifth round for the first time, won the Herts FA Senior Cup for the first time, and secured promotion to the National League South by defeating Hornchurch 2–1 in the Isthmian Premier play-off final.
Life at Step 2 proved challenging. A difficult run of results saw Cheshunt relegated back to the Isthmian Premier at the end of the 2022–23 season. The club has since focused on consolidation, finishing mid-table in 2023–24 and showing signs of improvement in 2024–25 under new management, while continuing to develop the squad and grow the fan base.
This season has been a tough one in the league so far, with Cheshunt currently sitting 19th, the final relegation place, with 24 points from 22 games, although they do have games in hand on the teams above them. They did, however, enjoy a solid FA Trophy run, beating Carshalton, Wingate & Finchley, and Bishop’s Stortford to set up an away tie at National League side Wealdstone. Despite a strong performance, the Ambers exited the competition following a 2–1 defeat.
Head to Head
Carshalton and Cheshunt met twice in the Isthmian Premier League last season.
In the home fixture at Colston Avenue in November, played in wet and windy conditions, Cheshunt took an early lead through Tobias Braney. Carshalton responded after the break, with David Smith equalising in the 52nd minute to secure a 1–1 draw.
The return fixture at Theobalds Lane in March saw Luke Read score the only goal of the game from a corner after 14 minutes. The Robins held on to claim a vital three points that kept them in the play-off hunt.
This season, the sides met in the FA Trophy in October. The visitors opened the scoring after 21 minutes through Sam Granville, before Aziz Sankoh levelled matters with a free kick nine minutes later. Cheshunt regained the lead midway through the second half, with Lordon Akolbire’s volley making it 2–1. Carshalton had a golden opportunity to equalise when Bryan Ifeanyi was brought down in the box, but Bradford’s penalty struck the post and went wide, allowing Cheshunt to hold on for victory.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
On Friday, Carshalton announced the departure of David Smith after 15 months at the club. In response, manager Peter Adeniyi moved quickly to bring in two new faces: Eddie Oppong and Ben Mundele.
Oppong, a winger, most recently featured for fellow Step 3 side Kettering Town. Defender Ben Mundele joins following a spell at Ramsgate, where he made 12 appearances, including a start in the 2–2 draw with Carshalton back in October. Adeniyi will hope both additions provide competition for places and add strength to the squad as the season enters its decisive phase.
Elsewhere, midfielder Fabio Saraiva returned to the matchday squad on Saturday. The 32-year-old last featured in the 1–1 draw with Aveley in November but has struggled with injury since. He was introduced late on against Folkestone and will be hoping to force his way back into the starting XI as he continues his return to fitness.
Pre-Match Analysis
With Cheshunt occupying the final relegation place and Carshalton sitting just two points ahead in 16th, this fixture already has the feel of a six-pointer. Coming just two days after the clash with Folkestone, there may be some rotation required for Adeniyi’s side.
In contrast, Cheshunt have not played since 27th December, with fixtures against St Albans (3rd January) and Whitehawk (10th January) both postponed due to the weather. This extended break could work either way for Mel Gwinnett’s team, who may arrive well-rested but potentially short of match sharpness. Cheshunt may also take confidence from their 2–1 FA Trophy victory at Colston Avenue earlier in the season.
Key Player
Sam Granville is Cheshunt’s leading scorer this season, with seven league goals and another against Carshalton in the FA Trophy. The midfielder began his career at Barnet, making 12 National League appearances and scoring once. A loan spell at Bedford Town followed before he joined Cheshunt at the start of the 2024–25 season.
The 22-year-old has featured in every league match for the Ambers this season, and Gwinnett, having previously worked with Granville at Barnet, clearly views him as a key figure in his plans for the 2025–26 campaign.
The Gaffer
Appointed on 25th October 2024 following the departure of long-serving manager Craig Edwards, Mel Gwinnett has brought stability to Cheshunt. He guided the club to a 15th-place finish last season, ending 10 points clear of the relegation zone, and made a strong start to the 2025–26 campaign with 15 points from his first nine games.
Recent form has dipped, however, with the Ambers collecting just nine points from the following 13 matches, leaving them in the bottom four ahead of this crucial encounter with Carshalton.
Gwinnett brings over two decades of experience in football management, having held senior roles at Exeter City, MK Dons, Stevenage, and Barnet. He also enjoyed a successful spell at Hampton & Richmond, where he led the club to a record unbeaten run, reached the FA Trophy quarter-finals, and narrowly missed out on the play-offs during the 2023–24 season.
Match Details
Date: Monday 12th January 2026
Opponents: Cheshunt FC
Venue: Colston Avenue
Competition: Isthmian League
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Admission: Adults £12, Conc £9, U18 £6, Women & Girls FREE
Tickets: Here or purchase at the turnstiles
