CAFC vs Welling United – Preview
After Saturday’s 2–2 draw at home to Whitehawk, the Robins are on the road for their next two matches, with a trip to Park View Road to take on Welling United next up on Saturday afternoon.
Carshalton Athletic
Carshalton come into the game against Welling United without a win in their last twelve matches, with their most recent victory coming in a 3–2 away win at Lewes back in November. Performances in recent weeks have been far more encouraging than the results suggest, with seven of those twelve games ending in draws, including four of the last five. Incredibly, the Robins have led in eight of those twelve matches but have been unable to see out a win.
The Robins put in a strong display against runaway league leaders Folkestone Invicta at Colston Avenue two weeks ago, battling hard to secure a 0–0 draw and creating chances of their own to take all three points. A thrilling 3–3 draw with Cheshunt followed, with Josh Shonibare scoring a stunning late strike from outside the box. A 4–0 defeat to Chatham came next, but the Robins responded with an improved performance, drawing 1–1 away at play-off chasing Cray Wanderers. Carshalton opened the scoring through Ben Mundele, but Harry Bridle headed home an equaliser as both sides ultimately settled for a point.
Last time out, the Robins hosted Whitehawk at Colston Avenue. Carshalton raced into an early lead, with Eddie Oppong netting his first goal for the club after just three minutes. However, Whitehawk fought back, with Harry Lodovica scoring twice before the break to give the visitors a 2–1 lead. With Whitehawk looking set to hold on for all three points, Andrew Briggs received a straight red card for a foul on Tommy Bradford. A few minutes later, Atewologun turned home a corner to equalise, with both sides again settling for a draw.
The Robins currently sit 16th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone. However, with the majority of teams around them holding games in hand, Carshalton know they must start turning draws into wins if they are to climb the table.
February is a big month for Carshalton, with four key games coming up. A trip to 20th-placed Welling is followed by a visit to Parkside to take on Hashtag United, who currently sit 17th, below the Robins on goal difference. The Robins then host ninth-placed Ramsgate before making the trip to Hertfordshire to face 22nd-placed Potters Bar Town. These fixtures against sides in and around the relegation zone will be crucial to Carshalton’s survival hopes, with a number of tough games still to come later in the season.
Welling United FC
Welling United, nicknamed The Wings, were founded in 1963, beginning life as a Sunday youth team before rising through the local leagues and eventually reaching the Football Conference, where they enjoyed a remarkable 14-year stay in non-league football’s top division.
In recent years, the on-pitch story has been one of transition and challenge. After a National League South campaign in 2022/23, where they secured safety and a mid-table finish under Warren Feeney, Welling looked to consolidate at step two of the English football pyramid. However, the 2024/25 season proved difficult. A poor run of results saw the club relegated from the National League South, ending more than four decades in the top two tiers of non-league football. Manager Rod Stringer, who had masterminded a late-season survival the year before, left in March 2025, with relegation confirmed in April following a defeat to Maidstone United. Welling ultimately finished eight points from safety, with 38 points from 46 matches.
Despite this setback, the campaign did provide a highlight, as Welling lifted the Kent Senior Cup for the fourth time after beating Ebbsfleet United 1–0 in the final at Priestfield Stadium.
It has been a tough return to Step 3 for Welling. The Wings currently sit in the relegation zone, six points from safety after recording seven wins, no draws, and 20 defeats so far this season. With 15 games remaining, Welling face a battle to save their season, beginning with a huge six-pointer against Cray Valley PM in midweek before hosting the Robins on Saturday.
Head to Head
Prior to this season, and due to Welling’s long-standing presence in the National League and Conference divisions, the two clubs had not met in league competition since the 2005/06 season – the last time Carshalton played at Step 2.
In October 2005, Welling secured a 2–0 victory at Park View Road. Carshalton, however, exacted revenge in the return fixture at Colston Avenue in February 2006, winning 1–0. That match featured a clean sheet from future Premier League goalkeeper Adam Federici, who was on loan at the Robins from Reading at the time.
This season, the sides met at Colston Avenue in September. Mason Saunders-Henry opened the scoring just before the break, but Welling responded on the hour mark, with Logan Dobbs grabbing the equaliser. The Robins then hit back, with Ifeanyi winning a penalty that Tommy Bradford converted to secure a 2–1 victory.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Eddie Oppong and Fikayo Atewologun both scored their first goals for the club in Saturday’s 2–2 draw with Whitehawk. Oppong, a recent signing following a spell with Kettering Town, was making his fifth appearance for the club and has looked lively since arriving at Colston Avenue. He will be pleased to have opened his account and will be keen to add to his tally in the coming games.
Atewologun has been at the club since the summer of 2024 after making the switch from Leatherhead. The Robins’ centre-back does not often have the chance to get forward, but he will be delighted that he did on this occasion, scoring what proved to be a crucial equaliser.
Pre-Match Analysis
Saturday’s match is set to be a tough encounter for the Robins. Welling are a physical side and will look to make life difficult, particularly on their grass pitch at Park View Road. The Wings take on Cray Valley PM at the Artic Stadium on Tuesday night, while the Robins have a free midweek, meaning the visitors could be the fresher of the two sides on Saturday. However, a win for Welling on Tuesday would see them go into the weekend full of confidence.
The Robins did win the reverse fixture in September, but Welling are now under new management and have added a number of new signings to their squad.
Key Player
At the beginning of January, Welling announced the signing of goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley, a name familiar to the Robins faithful. Foley joined Carshalton Athletic in the summer of 2024 and made 33 appearances in all competitions that season. The former Erith stopper delivered a number of assured performances and produced several memorable moments, including a penalty save in Carshalton’s 3–1 win at Dover in February.
Foley remained with Carshalton during pre-season this year but departed as the campaign got underway, spending time as a backup goalkeeper at Tonbridge Angels. Now back as a first-choice keeper at Step 3, Foley made the perfect start on his Welling debut, keeping a clean sheet against Wingate & Finchley, before following that up with another strong display in a 3–1 win over Canvey Island. Welling have used several goalkeepers this season, but Ryan Maxwell will be hoping he has found his long-term solution between the sticks.
The Gaffer
Ryan Maxwell began his managerial career in 2018 as player-manager of Walthamstow, transitioning from a long non-league playing career into coaching and leadership. After two years establishing himself as a manager, he moved to Braintree Town in November 2020, where he was tasked with keeping the National League South club clear of relegation – a goal he achieved during his 18-month tenure before leaving at the end of his contract in May 2022.
In January 2023, Maxwell was appointed manager of Sittingbourne, succeeding Nick Davis at a club hovering in the Isthmian League South East relegation zone. Over nearly three years with the Brickies, he oversaw a remarkable turnaround: securing survival, leading the club to third- and second-place finishes, and delivering a record-breaking 101-point season in 2024/25 with 117 league goals – Sittingbourne’s highest points tally since 1996 – alongside a historic run to the FA Trophy quarter-finals.
In November 2025, Maxwell was appointed first-team manager of Welling United, replacing Lee Martin, who had been sacked earlier in the season after a poor start, with Rod Stringer having held the interim role prior to Maxwell’s arrival.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 7th February 2026
Opponents: Welling United
Venue: Park View Road, DA16 1SY
Competition: Isthmian League
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adults £15, Concession/Student/Blue Light/Armed Forces £10, U18 £6, U11s FREE
Tickets: Purchase at the turnstiles
