CAFC vs Wingate and Finchley – Preview
Carshalton welcome league rivals Wingate & Finchley to Colston Avenue as both sides begin their journey in the 2025/26 FA Cup. This marks the first of four qualifying rounds before the main stages kick off in November. With prize money and prestige on the line, both clubs will be eager to progress in what can be a hugely lucrative competition for non-league sides.
Carshalton Athletic
The Robins will be aiming to bounce back from a disappointing Bank Holiday weekend, having lost 4–1 at Dartford and 3–0 to Chichester at Colston Avenue. They currently sit 14th in the league after five games, with a record of two wins and three defeats. However, it’s worth noting that Carshalton have already faced four of last season’s top six sides.
A break from league action – and the chance to get a win in the FA Cup – could be exactly what the Robins need to kick-start their season and build momentum heading into September.
Wingate and Finchley
Wingate & Finchley have also had a slow start, losing their first four matches before finally earning a point with a 3–3 draw at Potters Bar on Bank Holiday Monday. They’ll likely see that as two points dropped, having led 2–0 and 3–2, only to concede an equaliser in added time.
After finishing 4th in 2023/24 and 11th in 2024/25, Wingate would certainly have hoped for a better return than a single point from their opening five games.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Kerbey, Shonibare, Ernest, Atewologun, Sankoh, Dada, Janneh, Bradford, Ifeanyi, Smith, Salami
Wingate and Finchley
Grainger, Garrett-Douglas, Stallard, Cracknell, Horsley-Mckay, Watt, Allotey, Lowe, Cue, Akinola, Mcgettigan
Head to Head
Last season, Wingate & Finchley visited Colston Avenue on the second weekend of the campaign. Carshalton took a 2–0 lead in the first half thanks to a Dominic Vose brace and looked to be cruising. However, the visitors struck back with quality goals from Luke Deslandes and Ben Frempah. At 2–2, it was club legend Paris Hamilton-Downes who bundled home a the winner, giving the Robins a 3–2 victory – a result that briefly sent them top of the Isthmian Premier League.
The reverse fixture in November saw Wingate take an early two-goal lead through Frempah and Andronicos Georgiou. David Smith pulled one back before half-time, but despite sustained second-half pressure, the Blues held on for a 2–1 win – leaving the head-to-head even across the season.
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Luke Read missed Monday’s match after picking up a knock against Dartford. Dylan Pepe was sent off in the same game, and it remains to be seen whether he’ll serve his suspension against Wingate & Finchley.
Wingate and Finchley
Wingate announced the signings of Charlie Stallard and Romeo Akinola ahead of their clash with Whitehawk last Saturday. Both featured in both Bank Holiday games, with Stallard opening his account for the club on Monday. Robins fans may recognise Kyron Horsley-McKay, who played the final eight games of last season for Carshalton. He’s started every match for Wingate so far this campaign.
Pre-Match Analysis
With both teams enduring slow starts to the season, an FA Cup win would provide a significant morale boost heading into upcoming league fixtures.
Carshalton boast a strong home record against Wingate & Finchley, winning five of the last six meetings at Colston Avenue. However, they’ll be keen to avoid a draw, which would mean a replay at the Maurice Rebak Stadium – where Wingate have won the last three encounters between the sides.
Key Player
Colombian forward Camillo Restrepo is one to watch on Saturday. The former East Thurrock and Hashtag United attacker has represented his country in futsal and was part of SDS’s Baller League UK-winning squad in 2025, scoring five goals and showcasing exceptional technical skill.
He netted five times for Wingate last season, added two more for Hashtag, and has already opened his account this season against Cray Wanderers. At just 22, Restrepo is still developing – and could be a real threat if he finds his rhythm.
The Gaffer
Ahmet Rifat took over as manager in October 2022 and guided Wingate to safety that season with a 16th-place finish. In 2023/24, he masterminded a surprise 4th-place campaign – the club’s highest-ever finish in English football. Last season saw a solid follow-up with an 11th-place finish and 60 points, further cementing their place in the Isthmian Premier Division.
A former Wingate player himself, Rifat made over 400 appearances for the club and is now in his 18th season at Wingate & Finchley in various roles.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 30th August 2025
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adult £12, Concession £9, U18 £6 (Prices are £1 dearer on the gate)
Tickets: buy tickets here
