CAFC vs Whitehawk – Preview
Following their hard-fought 1–1 draw at Cray Wanderers, the Robins return to Colston Avenue on Saturday to take on Whitehawk in another crucial league fixture.
Carshalton Athletic
Carshalton come into the game against Whitehawk without a win in their last eleven matches, with their most recent victory coming in a 3–2 win away at Lewes back in November. Performances in recent weeks have been far more encouraging than the results suggest, with six of those eleven games ending in draws.
The Robins put in a strong performance 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 display on Saturday, drawing 1–1 away at play-off chasing Cray Wanderers.
Carshalton opened the scoring through Ben Mundele, but Harry Bridle – who spent time at Whitehawk earlier in the season – headed home an equaliser as both sides ultimately settled for a point.
The Robins currently sit in 17th place, just two points above the relegation zone. However, with all of the teams around them holding games in hand, Carshalton know they must start turning draws into wins if they are to climb the table.
Whitehawk FC
Whitehawk Football Club was founded in 1945 as Whitehawk & Manor Farm Old Boys FC, formed by local players who wanted to continue playing together after World War II. Early success saw the club quickly rise through the local leagues and, in 1951, win the Sussex Senior Cup before joining the Sussex County League Division One in 1952. The club adopted the name Whitehawk FC in 1958 and spent the following decades competing in county and regional football, gradually developing its ground and facilities through volunteer effort and growing community support.
After decades in county leagues, the club won the Sussex County League Division One in 2010, earning promotion to the Isthmian League. They quickly established themselves and, after winning the Isthmian Division One South in 2011–12, progressed to the Isthmian Premier Division. Remarkably, Whitehawk won that division at the first attempt in 2012–13, reaching the National League South – the highest level in the club’s history.
In the 2014–15 National League South season, Whitehawk finished fourth, reached the play-off semi-finals, and enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run, including a second-round tie against Dagenham & Redbridge.
The mid-to-late 2010s proved more challenging. Following managerial changes and significant player turnover, Whitehawk were relegated from the National League South in 2018, followed by another drop into the Isthmian South East Division.
Recent seasons have brought a revival. Under manager Shaun Saunders, the club secured promotion back to the Isthmian Premier League via the 2023 play-offs, re-establishing themselves at Step 3 of the non-league pyramid. In the 2023–24 season, Whitehawk consolidated with a mid-table finish, and despite a tougher 2024–25 campaign marked by league and managerial upheaval, they successfully avoided relegation.
Off the pitch, ambitious redevelopment plans for The Enclosed Ground – including a new 3G pitch, additional stands, and a fan zone – are underway as part of the club’s 80th anniversary celebrations, aimed at further strengthening community ties and sporting infrastructure.
Whitehawk have made a solid start to their 2025/26 league campaign and currently sit 14th, with a record of nine wins, seven draws and eight defeats. Their total of 34 points leaves them eight points clear of the relegation zone but ten points off the play-off places, with games in hand on all the teams around them. The Hawks will be looking up rather than down and will hope to build on their positive start when they make the trip to Colston Avenue.
Head to Head
Last season, the two sides met on a cold Monday night in January at Colston Avenue. Nabeel Ghannam, making his debut, opened the scoring after just four minutes, with Mason Saunders-Henry doubling the lead early in the second half. It looked set to be a comfortable victory for the Robins, but Andrew Briggs pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 84th minute, before Charlie Lambert equalised deep into stoppage time.
The reverse fixture at The Enclosed Ground took place on Non-League Day in March, with special tickets distributed to spectators. In front of Whitehawk’s second-biggest home crowd of the season, Jordan Maguire-Drew scored twice – once from the penalty spot and again in the second half – dealing a major blow to Carshalton’s play-off hopes.
This season, the sides met at The Enclosed Ground back in October. Whitehawk made a fast start, with Charlie Lambert converting a penalty after eight minutes to give the hosts a 1–0 lead at the break. Gillingham loanee Harry Bridle made it 2–0 in the 53rd minute, and despite Carshalton creating several chances, the Robins were unable to capitalise and left Sussex empty-handed.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Fabio Saraiva made his second consecutive start following injury in the 1–1 draw with Cray Wanderers. The Robins midfielder delivered an impressive performance, supplying the corner that led to Carshalton’s goal, going close from a free kick, and creating two headed chances for Kola Salami, both of which narrowly missed the target.
The 32-year-old was a key figure in Carshalton’s play-off push last season, scoring nine goals, including a last-gasp winner in a thrilling 4–3 victory over Billericay Town.
Manager Peter Adeniyi will be pleased to have Saraiva back in his starting XI as the Robins look to climb the table in the coming weeks.
Pre-Match Analysis
Saturday’s clash looks set to be another closely contested encounter. Whitehawk come into the game in good form, having picked up ten points from their last four matches, with wins over Cray Wanderers (2–1), Cray Valley (2–0) and St Albans (5–3), alongside a 1–1 draw with Canvey Island, to pull clear of the relegation zone.
During that run, the Hawks were also leading 2–0 at home to Lewes in the second half when a floodlight failure caused the match to be abandoned – a result that would have taken their tally to 13 points from five games had the fixture been completed.
In the last eight meetings between the two sides, the home team has won six, with the remaining two ending in draws. The Robins will be hoping that trend continues as they look to secure three vital points and move clear of the relegation zone. However, Whitehawk have actually won more league games away from home this season (five) than at The Enclosed Ground (four), and will be confident of picking up a result. Their victory in October will also provide belief as they aim to take all three points back to Sussex.
Key Player
Striker Charlie Lambert is the focal point of Whitehawk’s attack. Now in his third spell with the club, Lambert is Whitehawk’s leading goalscorer in 2025/26 and has scored twelve goals in all competitions this season, including the winner against Dulwich Hamlet and a brace in their FA Cup victory over Hayes & Yeading. Just before Christmas, he netted both goals in a 2–1 win away at Cray Wanderers.
Lambert has featured in every league match so far this season, and manager Shaun Saunders clearly places great trust in the 25-year-old forward, who has now made over 150 appearances for the club. Having scored a late equaliser at Colston Avenue last season and the opening goal in October’s meeting, Adeniyi will be well aware of the threat Lambert poses and will be seeking a strong defensive performance to keep him quiet.
The Gaffer
Shaun Saunders has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Whitehawk’s recent history. Having experienced both highs and lows in non-league football, his tenure as manager has become a defining chapter in the club’s modern era.
Saunders first took charge late in the 2021–22 season, stepping in with the team languishing in its lowest league position in over a decade. Drawing on extensive non-league managerial experience – including successful spells at Peacehaven & Telscombe and Haywards Heath Town – he quickly stabilised the squad and began to implement his coaching philosophy. Prior to his appointment, Saunders had also been involved with Whitehawk’s youth setup, including managing the U18s, highlighting his long-standing connection to the club and the local game.
The 2022–23 season proved to be a breakthrough. Under Saunders’ guidance, Whitehawk rallied to finish second in the Isthmian League South East Division, securing promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division via the play-offs. A decisive 2–1 victory in the play-off final marked a triumphant return to the seventh tier of English football after several seasons of relegation and inconsistency.
Despite the success, Saunders’ journey with the Hawks has not been without challenges. After guiding the club to a ninth-place finish in 2023–24, he stepped down in May 2024, citing personal reasons and a desire to focus on family commitments. Ross McNeilly was appointed as his successor, but managerial instability followed.
In November 2024, Saunders returned to the role, reuniting with assistant manager Adam Simpson to steer Whitehawk through a difficult period. His return was warmly welcomed by supporters.
Throughout his time in charge, Saunders has been praised not only for results on the pitch, but for rebuilding the connection between the club and its fanbase, restoring belief after seasons of struggle. His tenure has been defined by tactical resilience, thoughtful player development, and a deep understanding of Whitehawk’s culture and identity – qualities that have endeared him to the Hawks faithful.
As Whitehawk look to the future, Saunders remains central to their ambitions for stability and progression in the Isthmian League, blending experience with a genuine appreciation of the club’s heritage at The Enclosed Ground – the steep-sloped home that has hosted decades of local football history.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 31st January 2026
Opponents: Whitehawk
Venue: Colston Avenue
Competition: Isthmian League
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adults £12, Conc £9, U18 £6, Women & Girls FREE
Tickets: Here or purchase at the turnstiles
