CAFC vs Farnborough FC – Preview
Following Saturday’s narrow defeat to Hampton & Richmond, the Robins return to Colston Avenue on Tuesday evening as they host National League South side Farnborough.
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.
Pre-season got off to the perfect start as the Robins cruised to a 4-0 victory over Bromley in their opening friendly on Saturday. Charlie George stole the show with a superb hat-trick, while Tope Fadahunsi added the fourth to complete an impressive performance.
The Robins were back in action on Saturday, hosting Hampton & Richmond, but slipped to a narrow 1–0 defeat. Reece Grego-Cox’s first-half header proved to be the decisive moment, with the visitors taking all three points despite the Robins’ efforts to find an equaliser.
Farnborough FC
Farnborough FC was formed in 2007 following the liquidation of Farnborough Town, ensuring senior football continued in the town after financial difficulties brought an end to the original club. Starting life in the Southern League Division One South & West, the new club made an immediate impact by winning the league in its inaugural season, scoring an impressive 120 goals and earning promotion at the first attempt.
The years that followed brought a mixture of progress and setbacks. Financial challenges led to relegations in 2015 and 2016, but the club gradually rebuilt under long-serving manager Spencer Day. Promotion back to the Southern League Premier Division was achieved through the play-offs in 2017, providing the platform for a sustained push back up the non-league pyramid.
Recent seasons have been among the most successful in the club’s modern history. Farnborough narrowly missed out on the Southern League Premier South title in 2021-22 but responded by winning the play-offs, defeating Hayes & Yeading United in the final to secure a return to National League South football.
Back at Step 2, Farnborough adapted quickly. The 2022-23 campaign included an outstanding FA Cup run, highlighted by victories over Sutton United before a memorable tie against Wrexham in front of nearly 10,000 spectators. A top-half league finish confirmed the club’s progress. Since then, Farnborough have established themselves as a competitive National League South finishing 8th in 2023-24, 10th in 2024-25 and 19th in 2025-26.
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.
Defender Laurence Ernest has also departed the club after an impressive season at Colston Avenue, earning a move to National League South newcomers Walton & Hersham following their promotion.
Pre-Match Analysis
Tuesday’s match will be Carshalton’s third pre-season fixture, having beaten a Bromley XI 4-0 before narrowly losing 1-0 to Hampton & Richmond.
The game offers Bates another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, continue developing tactical patterns, build match fitness, and begin identifying his strongest starting XI ahead of the opening league fixture, which is now less than four weeks away. The new season gets underway on Saturday 8th August, with the fixtures expected to be released within the next week.
Another test against Step 2 opposition, in the form of Farnborough, will provide an excellent benchmark for the Robins as preparations continue, with an entertaining contest expected.
Key Player
Farnborough have made a significant statement of intent ahead of the new National League South season with the signing of experienced striker Josh Parker. The former Antigua and Barbuda captain arrives at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium bringing a wealth of experience from both the Football League and the international stage, adding proven quality to Spencer Day’s attacking options.
Parker’s career has taken him across England and Europe. After beginning his professional journey with Queens Park Rangers, he went on to represent clubs including Gillingham, Charlton Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers and Burton Albion, making more than 150 English Football League appearances. He also enjoyed success abroad, winning the Serbian SuperLiga title with Red Star Belgrade, demonstrating his ability to perform in high-pressure environments.
More recently, Parker has excelled in non-league football with Oxford City. He played a pivotal role in their National League South promotion-winning campaign in 2022/23, scoring 18 league goals before following that up with 14 goals in the National League the following season. His eye for goal, leadership and experience make him one of the division’s most accomplished forwards.
Internationally, Parker earned over 40 caps for Antigua and Barbuda, captaining his country while scoring six goals during World Cup qualifying and CONCACAF Nations League campaigns. His leadership qualities should prove invaluable both on and off the pitch.
For Farnborough, the arrival of Parker represents far more than just another signing. It is a clear indication of the club’s ambition, with supporters hoping his goals and experience can help drive a successful campaign in 2026/27.
The Gaffer
Spencer Day is a well-known figure in non-league football, best recognised for his long association with Farnborough Football Club. Having managed the club across multiple spells, Day has become one of the most experienced and influential managers in the National League South and Southern League levels. His extensive knowledge of the non-league game, combined with his ability to recruit talented players and build competitive squads, has helped Farnborough establish itself as a respected club despite the financial and competitive challenges often faced outside the Football League.
Day is known for promoting an attractive, attacking style of football while maintaining high standards of professionalism within his squads. Throughout his managerial career, he has overseen periods of rebuilding, guiding the club through changes in ownership, league restructures and player turnover. His leadership has been instrumental in restoring stability and competitiveness at various stages of Farnborough’s modern history.
Beyond tactical preparation, Day has earned a reputation for developing players and providing opportunities for individuals looking to progress their careers. Many footballers have benefited from his experience, moving on to higher levels of the game after performing well under his management.
Managing in non-league football requires balancing sporting ambition with financial realities, and Day has consistently demonstrated resilience in navigating these challenges. His longevity at Farnborough reflects both his commitment to the club and the trust placed in him by supporters and directors alike.
Today, Spencer Day remains a central figure at Farnborough, continuing to shape the club’s ambitions on and off the pitch. His passion, experience and dedication have made him synonymous with the club and one of the most recognisable managers in English non-league football.
Match Details
Date: Tuesday 14th July 2026
Opponents: Farnborough FC
Venue: Colston Avenue
Competition: Friendly
Kick-off: 7:45pm
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
