CAFC vs Welling United – Preview
After Saturday’s 2–1 home defeat to Ramsgate, the Robins head on the road for their next two fixtures, beginning with a trip to Park View Road to face Welling United on Tuesday evening.
Carshalton Athletic
It has been a significant week behind the scenes at Colston Avenue. On Tuesday, the club announced the departure of popular manager Peter Adeniyi, who resigned from his position as first-team manager. Chairman Paul Dipre commented:
“I have nothing but admiration and thanks for Peter’s hard work and commitment in the first-team management role. It will come as no surprise to anyone that Peter has put the club’s welfare first and recognises that a management change is inevitable. Peter is, and will remain, an important member of my senior team at the club, and I have no doubt that everyone associated with Carshalton Athletic will join me in thanking him for his endless commitment and loyalty.”
Adeniyi’s successor was confirmed on Thursday, with Steven Bates taking charge. Bates arrives from National League side Wealdstone, where he worked as a first-team coach under manager Sam Cox. Previously, the 51-year-old served as assistant manager at National League South outfit Hampton & Richmond, where he also holds the role of academy manager.
Bates oversaw his first training session on Thursday evening before taking charge of his first match against Ramsgate. The Robins fell behind after 22 minutes when Solomon Ogunwomoju converted from a corner. Bates’ side responded just before half-time, as Bryan Ifeanyi netted his 10th league goal of the season to draw the hosts level. However, Ramsgate regained the lead four minutes after the restart, with Ogunwomoju heading home from another corner. Carshalton pushed for an equaliser and came close through Kola Salami, but ultimately left empty-handed as Ramsgate secured a 2–1 victory.
The Robins currently sit 18th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone. With several teams around them holding games in hand, Carshalton know they must begin converting draws into wins if they are to move up the table.
The next five fixtures could prove decisive. The Robins face each of the bottom three sides in quick succession, starting with a rearranged trip to bottom-placed Welling next Tuesday, before travelling to Potters Bar Town. March begins with a home clash against 21st-placed Canvey Island, followed by a trip to 15th-placed Cheshunt. The sequence concludes with a home fixture against 17th-placed Wingate & Finchley the following Saturday. These encounters against teams in and around the relegation zone will be crucial to Carshalton’s survival hopes, particularly with several challenging fixtures still to come later in the campaign.
Welling United FC
Welling United, nicknamed The Wings, were founded in 1963, beginning as a Sunday youth team before progressing through the local leagues and eventually reaching the Football Conference, where they enjoyed a remarkable 14-year spell in non-league football’s top division.
In recent seasons, the on-field story has been one of transition and challenge. After securing safety with a mid-table finish in the 2022/23 National League South campaign under Warren Feeney, Welling aimed to consolidate their status at Step 2 of the English football pyramid. However, the 2024/25 season proved difficult. A poor run of results resulted in relegation 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 previous year, departed in March 2025. Relegation was confirmed in April following defeat to Maidstone United, with Welling finishing eight points from safety on 38 points from 46 matches.
There was, however, a notable highlight, as Welling lifted the Kent Senior Cup for the fourth time by defeating Ebbsfleet United 1–0 in the final at Priestfield Stadium.
Their return to Step 3 has also been challenging. The Wings currently sit bottom of the table, seven points adrift of safety, having recorded seven wins, one draw and 21 defeats so far this season. With 13 matches remaining, Welling face a significant battle to preserve their status, beginning with a crucial encounter against Carshalton.
Head to Head
Prior to this season, and owing to Welling’s long-standing presence in the National League and Conference divisions, the two sides had not met in league competition since the 2005/06 campaign – the last time Carshalton competed at Step 2.
In October 2005, Welling claimed a 2–0 victory at Park View Road. Carshalton responded in the reverse fixture at Colston Avenue in February 2006, securing a 1–0 win. 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.
The sides met again earlier this season at Colston Avenue in September. Mason Saunders-Henry opened the scoring just before the interval, but Welling equalised on the hour through Logan Dobbs. The Robins regained the advantage when Ifeanyi won a penalty, which Tommy Bradford converted to seal a 2–1 victory.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
With Steven Bates now at the helm, players have the opportunity to impress under new management and force their way into contention. Bates may look to introduce new faces to refresh the squad, though the turnaround before Tuesday’s fixture leaves limited time for major changes.
Pre-Match Analysis
Tuesday’s contest promises to be a stern test for the Robins. Welling are a physical side and will aim to make conditions difficult, particularly on the grass surface at Park View Road. Both teams enter the match following defeats: Carshalton’s 2–1 loss to high-flying Ramsgate, and Welling’s 3–1 reverse at Chatham Town.
Although the Robins claimed victory in the reverse fixture in September, Welling are now under new management and have strengthened their squad with several recent additions.
Key Player
At the beginning of January, Welling announced the signing of goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley – a familiar name to the Robins faithful. Foley joined Carshalton in the summer of 2024 and made 33 appearances in all competitions that season. The former Erith stopper delivered a series of assured displays, including a memorable penalty save in a 3–1 win at Dover in February.
Foley remained with Carshalton during pre-season but departed early in the current campaign, spending time as a backup goalkeeper at Tonbridge Angels. Now restored as a first-choice keeper at Step 3, he made an immediate impact on his Welling debut, keeping a clean sheet against Wingate & Finchley, and followed that with another strong performance in a 3–1 win over Canvey Island. His most impressive display to date came against St Albans, where he saved a penalty and secured a clean sheet in a goalless draw. Having rotated several goalkeepers this season, manager Ryan Maxwell will hope he has found a long-term solution between the posts.
The Gaffer
Ryan Maxwell began his managerial career in 2018 as player-manager of Walthamstow, transitioning from a lengthy non-league playing career into coaching. After establishing himself over two seasons, he joined Braintree Town in November 2020 with the task of preserving the club’s National League South status – an objective he achieved during an 18-month spell before departing at the end of his contract in May 2022.
In January 2023, Maxwell was appointed manager of Sittingbourne, succeeding Nick Davis at a club battling relegation from the Isthmian League South East. Over nearly three years, he engineered a remarkable transformation: securing survival, guiding the side to third- and second-place finishes, and overseeing a record-breaking 101-point season in 2024/25, during which Sittingbourne scored 117 league goals – their highest points total since 1996 -while also reaching the FA Trophy quarter-finals.
In November 2025, Maxwell was appointed first-team manager of Welling United, replacing Lee Martin following a difficult start to the season, with Rod Stringer having served in an interim capacity prior to Maxwell’s arrival.
Match Details
Date: Tuesday 24th 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
