CAFC vs Hanworth Villa – Preview
Carshalton Athletic are on the road for the first time this pre-season as they travel to fellow Step 3 side Hanworth Villa.
After opening their summer schedule at home, the Robins face another competitive test against a Villa side preparing for their first campaign at Step 3 following promotion. The friendly offers another valuable opportunity for both managers to build fitness, assess their squads and continue preparations ahead of the new season.
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 then took on 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. Last time out, the Robins took on Farnborough at Colston Avenue on Tuesday evening, but fell to a 3 – 1 defeat.
Hanworth Villa FC
Founded in 1976, Hanworth Villa FC has grown from humble beginnings in the Hounslow & District League into one of the most progressive clubs in non-league football. After early struggles, the club quickly established itself as a competitive force, earning promotion into the Middlesex County League in 1984 before moving to its permanent home at Rectory Meadow in 1997. Success followed with multiple league titles and cup victories, including the Middlesex County League championship and promotion to the Combined Counties League in 2005.
The club’s modern rise has been built on outstanding performances on the pitch. Following the appointment of manager Simon Haughney in 2019, Villa enjoyed an exceptional period of success, reaching the last 16 of the FA Vase before producing one of the greatest seasons in the club’s history. In 2021/22, Hanworth Villa won the inaugural Combined Counties Premier Division North title without losing a league match, securing promotion to the Isthmian League for the first time.
Rather than simply surviving at Step 4, Villa quickly established themselves as promotion contenders. They reached the Isthmian South Central play-off final in their first season, narrowly missing out before recording further top-seven and third-place finishes. Their persistence was finally rewarded in 2025/26 when another third-place finish led to a memorable play-off campaign, culminating in victory over Westfield to earn promotion to Step 3—the highest level in the club’s history. Achieved on the eve of the club’s 50th anniversary, the promotion marked another landmark in Hanworth Villa’s remarkable rise through the non-league pyramid.
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
Saturday’s match will be Carshalton’s fourth pre-season fixture, following previous outings against a Bromley XI, Hampton & Richmond Borough, and Farnborough at Colston Avenue.
The Robins will make their first away trip of pre-season as they face a side recently promoted to Step 3 after winning the Isthmian South Central Division play-offs in May.
The fixture provides manager Bates with another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, continue refining tactical patterns, build match fitness, and begin identifying his strongest starting XI ahead of the new league campaign. With less than four weeks remaining until the season begins, preparations are entering a crucial stage.
The 2026/27 league season gets underway on Saturday 8th August, with the fixture list expected to be released before this weekend’s friendly.
Key Player
Hanworth Villa have continued to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season with the additions of midfielders Gio McGregor and Toure Williams. McGregor arrives from Bracknell Town, bringing a wealth of experience from across the National League and non-league pyramid. A product of the Brentford and Crystal Palace academies, he has also represented Dulwich Hamlet, Wealdstone, Chelmsford City, AFC Croydon, Hemel Hempstead, Hanwell Town and Dartford, as well as Bishop’s Stortford. During his two seasons at Dulwich Hamlet he scored eight goals in 54 appearances before stepping up to the National League with Wealdstone, later helping Chelmsford City reach the Step 2 play-offs during a successful loan spell. Most recently, he made 37 appearances and scored five goals for Bracknell Town.
Joining him at Villa is highly rated 20-year-old Toure Williams, who arrives after spells with Bashley and Fareham Town. Having progressed through the AFC Bournemouth academy, Williams is a composed and technically gifted midfielder capable of playing in both defensive and attacking roles. He made 27 appearances for Bashley before joining Fareham Town midway through last season, where he scored three goals in 22 games. Speaking after signing, Williams said he was excited to get started after seeing Hanworth Villa’s quality firsthand last season, while manager Simon Haughney described him as “a fantastic prospect” who impressed against Villa and is well suited to the club’s style of play. Both signings add quality, experience and versatility as Hanworth Villa continue to build an ambitious squad for the Southern League Premier South campaign.
The Gaffer
Simon Haughney has overseen the most successful period in the history of Hanworth Villa FC since taking charge in November 2019. Arriving alongside assistants Paul Thomas and Leon Solomon, Haughney inherited a side battling near the bottom of the Combined Counties Premier Division. After a difficult start, he quickly stabilised the team, steering the club away from relegation and laying the foundations for an unprecedented era of success.
Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Haughney’s side remained unbeaten during the curtailed 2020–21 campaign and reached the last 16 of the FA Vase for the first time in the club’s history, eventually losing on penalties to Long Eaton United. This memorable cup run demonstrated the growing belief and resilience within the squad.
The following season proved historic. Hanworth Villa won the inaugural Combined Counties Premier Division North title, earning promotion to the Isthmian League while completing the league campaign unbeaten. The achievement established the team as “The Invincibles” and represented the greatest season the club had experienced since its formation in 1976.
Haughney continued to build on that success after promotion, guiding Villa to consecutive play-off campaigns before eventually securing promotion to Step 3 of the non-league pyramid in 2026 with a 2–0 victory over Westfield. This marked the highest level the club had ever reached and another landmark in its history.
Beyond the trophies and promotions, Haughney has created a winning culture based on organisation, teamwork and consistency. His leadership has transformed Hanworth Villa from relegation candidates into one of the leading clubs in their division, leaving a lasting legacy and setting new standards for success both on and off the pitch.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 18th July 2026
Opponents: Hanworth Villa
Venue: Rectory Meadow, TW13 6PN
Competition: Friendly
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: TBC
Tickets: TBC
