CAFC vs Hampton & Richmond FC – Preview
Carshalton Athletic face off against National League South outfit Hampton & Richmond FC on Tuesday evening at Colston Avenue.
Robins Review
A hat-trick from Kola Salami inspired the Robins to a commanding 5–1 comeback victory over a Bromley XI on Saturday at Colston Avenue, maintaining their perfect start to pre-season. Manager Peter Adeniyi opted for a mix of trialists and emerging academy prospects to kick off the match, but it was the introduction of several senior players after the break that swung the momentum decisively in Carshalton’s favour.
With confidence building and goals flowing, attention now turns to a tougher test as the Robins prepare to face National League South opposition in Hampton & Richmond—a step up in quality that promises to offer a real gauge of pre-season progress.
Hampton & Richmond Borough FC: A Season of Stark Contrasts
Hampton & Richmond Borough FC endured a turbulent 2024–25 National League South campaign, finishing 18th in the National League South with 51 points, a far cry from the promotion-chasing form they displayed earlier in the season. The Beavers, based at the Beveree Stadium in southwest London, seemed poised for a play-off push around the festive period, hovering between 10th and 12th place and sitting just a few points off the top seven. But a catastrophic collapse in form during the run-in saw those ambitions unravel.
The team’s record – 14 wins, 9 draws, and 23 losses – only tells part of the story. Heading into their fixture against Welling United in mid-April, Hampton had lost six straight games and twelve of their previous thirteen. They had not found the net in their last three outings either. Ironically, it was in that Welling match that they roared back to life, delivering a dominant 5–0 victory that provided a momentary glimpse of what might have been. Unfortunately, it all but extinguished the Wings faint hopes of survival.
That brief high was quickly overshadowed. In their penultimate fixture, Hampton suffered their heaviest defeat of the season, an 8–2 demolition at home by Farnborough. The Beveree, typically a forgiving place, echoed with boos at full-time, a rare and telling sign of supporter disillusionment. The season concluded with a 1–0 defeat to Slough Town, closing the book on a deeply frustrating campaign.
For manager Alan Julian and his staff, the final months of the season served as a brutal reality check. The team must now regroup and rediscover the form that made them promotion pushers in the first half of the season. There is no shortage of work ahead.
Just a year prior, in 2023–24, Hampton were on the brink of reaching the play-offs, ultimately finishing ninth on 72 points. A crushing 5–1 final-day defeat to Maidstone United saw them drop out of the top seven, a pattern of near misses and late-season heartbreak that’s become all too familiar for the Beavers.
Hampton’s story, though, is one of resilience. From dominating the Middlesex leagues in their early years to climbing the Isthmian ladder, the club’s rise has never come easy. A landmark came in 2007 with promotion to the National League South, and in 2007–08 they came within a whisker of reaching the National League, losing out in the play-off final.
For a club of Hampton’s size and resources, progress has always demanded belief and grit. If they are to reignite their promotion ambitions, they will need both in abundance heading into 2025–26. Last week, the club edged Ascot United 1-0 thanks to a goal by a trialist on the hour mark.
Team News: Hampton & Richmond Borough FC
Ahead of the 2025–26 National League South season, manager Julian has been busy bolstering the squad, completing 18 signings so far. Key additions include Croatian goalkeeper Luke Ziger, who re-signed after initially joining the club in October 2024, and James Holden, arriving from Aveley to provide strong competition between the posts.
In defence, left-back Jude Mason—a former Sutton United academy graduate who last played for Hayes & Yeading—joins the squad. The midfield and attack have also been reinforced with several notable signings: winger Ibrahim Jalloh, the highly experienced Alan Massey, who boasts 384 appearances for Maidenhead United, and midfielder Eddie Allsopp, signed from Lewes.
Paul Field, previously with Walton & Hersham, and Ben Parkinson from Kingstonian, add further depth and versatility. Young defender Harry Thomas arrives from Poole Town, while prolific striker David Rodari joins from Hastings, where he netted an impressive 61 goals in all competitions over two seasons.
Stan Flaherty, another Kingstonian product, brings creativity and goal threat, having contributed 16 goals and 12 assists last season. Additionally, several promising academy players have been promoted to strengthen the squad’s foundations.
With this blend of experience and youth, Hampton & Richmond Borough look well-equipped to mount a strong challenge in the upcoming campaign.
Pre-Match Analysis
Hampton & Richmond Borough have recently faced challenges that have exposed some familiar defensive vulnerabilities, impacting the team’s confidence and overall performance. Supporters have noticed a lack of attacking creativity and a tendency to struggle with set-piece defending, especially against physically stronger opponents.
While the squad has shown moments of promise, inconsistency and errors in key moments have led to a difficult run of results. Goalkeeper Merrick’s performances have often been a bright spot, making important saves to keep the team competitive. However, the team’s offensive output has been limited at times, and there remains a need for greater cohesion and attacking threat.
Fan feedback reflects a respectful concern over the current form and the physical demands of the league. Many believe that survival is possible, but also acknowledge that changes and reinforcements will be necessary to improve next season.
The key stats are: Goals conceded: 74 (18th in the league), Goals scored: 60 (14th in the league), and Away form: 6 wins, 5 draws, 12 losses. These figures highlight a defence that has struggled and an attack that, while capable, needs more consistency. As the team prepares for upcoming fixtures, addressing these issues will be crucial for any hopes of progressing further.
Key Player
Robins fans will already be well acquainted with Davide Rodari, who enjoyed two highly prolific seasons at Hastings United in the Isthmian Premier League, netting an impressive 61 goals across all competitions. Rodari was a clear priority for Julian this off-season, and it’s easy to see why. Throughout last campaign, the Beavers often struggled without a reliable centre forward, and Rodari is expected to be the pivotal figure to fill that void and lead the attack moving forward. Expect Rodari to play a central role throughout pre-season as Julian integrates him fully into the squad.
The Gaffer
Alan Julian took the reins as Hampton & Richmond Borough’s manager in May 2024, following several seasons at the Beveree where he served both as a player and, more recently, as a coach. A respected figure around the club, Alan brings with him a wealth of experience accumulated over 22 years across both the Football League and National League.
His impressive career includes 645 senior appearances, four promotions, and an FA Trophy triumph, underscoring his leadership and winning mentality. Last season marked a significant transition as Alan made the decision to retire from playing and fully commit to coaching and management.
Having played a vital role for the Beavers both on and off the pitch, his appointment was met with enthusiasm by Managing Director William King, who praised Alan’s deep connection to the club and his ability to inspire the squad. Reflecting the club’s confidence in his leadership, Alan signed a new contract with Hampton & Richmond in April, signalling the start of an exciting new chapter for both manager and club.
Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 15 July 2025
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kickoff: 7:45 pm
Admission: Adults (£5), Concessions (£3), Children (£2)
Tickets: Buy Tickets Here
