CAFC vs Hadley FC – Match Preview
Carshalton Athletic take on Step 4’s Southern Football League Division One Central toppers Hadley FC in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy on Saturday afternoon away at Brickfield Lane, Barnet.
Robins Review
Given our status as an Isthmian Premier Division side that applies their trade in Step 3 of the English Football Pyramid, the Robins do not enter the draw for the Isuzu FA Trophy until the Third Qualifying Round. Unfortunately, Carshalton were knocked out at the first time of asking last season, being edged 2-1 by Cray Valley at Colston Avenue. Before that, they overcame the same opponents at the same stage of the competition 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw; however, Kings Langley would then run out narrow 1-0 winners in the Trophy’s First Round Proper. Supporters will have their fingers crossed that more memories like John Rains steering the club to the third round or Paul Vines scoring a hattrick to secure a historic 3-1 victory over Lincoln City, can be achieved in this year’s instalment of the Trophy.
Hadley FC
Step 4 Hadley FC currently top the Southern Football League Division One Central on 22 points, four clear of Flackwell Heath who languishes second, although have played one less. Their narrow 1-0 win against Aylesbury United at home Tuesday evening and comfortable 4-1 victory over Berkhamsted FC at the weekend extended their unbeaten run to eleven games. The last time the Bricks suffered defeat was in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round away to Basildon at the beginning of August. In their league curtain raiser, the Barnet based side ran out 5-0 winners over Barton Rovers, and except for a slight hick up against Hertford Town where there was nothing to separate the two sides, drawing 2-2, Hadley stormed to five consecutive Southern League Div One victories. Netting 15 times along the way and conceding just six to register three clean sheets, it has been a stellar start to the 2024-25 season for the club.
Even though the Bricks exited the FA Cup much earlier than they would have liked, the FA Trophy and Hertfordshire Charity Cup have provided Hadley faithful with a duo of enjoyable cup runs so far this campaign. Last Tuesday, the Step 4 outfit progressed through to the semi-final of the county cup after beating fellow Isthmian Premier side Potters Bar Town 3-2 on penalties. As for the Trophy, the Bricks face off with the Robins following a narrow 2-1 win against Grays Athletic and a contrastingly emphatic 4-1 victory over Ipswich Wanderers in the Second Round Qualifying. Hadley have proven a force to be reckoned with in the competition, bolstered by the fact that not only both previous rounds were home ties, but also Carshalton’s Third Qualifying Round visit.
The 2016/17 season was the dawn of a new era for Hadley. The club returned to Brickfield Lane in Barnet and ended eight years of groundsharing with Potters Bar Town. Five hundred thousand pounds worth of improvements ensued and the Bricks enjoyed a memorable FA Cup run to the Third Qualifying Round that year. The introduction of Anthony Clark in 17/18 saw the side achieve their highest-ever finish in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, sixth place. That being said, the following campaign they bettered that to finish third place, missing out on runners up owing to goal difference. After correspondence with the FA, the decision was taken to move Hadley to the Essex League following ten seasons in the Spartans South Midlands League. They matched their best ever FA Cup run in 2019-20, reaching the Third Qualifying Round and being knocked out by Havant and Waterlooville. However, of course, given that COVID-19 happened, that campaign was forced to end early. The 2020-21 season was similarly curtailed; however, a highlight was a fantastic run in the FA Vase, getting to the Fifth Round for the first time in the club’s history. Summer 2021 once again saw the Bricks move back to the Spartans South.
Despite a turbulent Summer, 2021-22 was the most successful in the club’s history. Hadley fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Enfield in a replay having drawn 1-1 away against the Isthmian Premier Division side, which concluded an amazing FA Cup run. They reached the Herts Senior Cup final, beating several higher-tier opponents to get there, Royston Town and Ware to name a few. However, National League South newcomers Cheshunt would emerge victorious in the final, which is no disgrace given the quality of the club. And, to top off the season, the Bricks were promoted to Step 4 of the National League system after Risborough Rangers, who finished second, could not meet the relevant FA ground-sharing criteria. Ninth and eighth-place finishes in the Southern League Division One Central were secured in 22/23 and 23/24, respectively. Hadley also recorded their first-ever win in the FA Trophy with a 4-1 victory against Ware FC at Brickfield Lane.
Likely line ups
Carshalton Athletic
Foley, Sankoh, Atewologun, Hamstead, Read, Saraiva, Vose, Bradford, Ifeanyi, Stagg, Goather-Braithwaite
Hadley
Taylor, Alfieri, McGettigan, Rosemin, Massingham, Gbio, Aldridge, Ferguson, Stones, Hayes, Alfano
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Kwaku Frimpong continues his recovery for the Robins, including himself in the team warmups before the match. Hadley may come a bit too soon, although he could still feature on the bench for Peter Adeniyi’s side. Fikayo Atewologun and Tom Stagg were both absent Tuesday evening against Hashtag, the former confirmed to be injury-related.
Hadley
Forward Isaac Stones hobbled off in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Berkhamsted following a terrible tackle that forced him to be subbed for Gould.
Pre-Match Analysis
Hadley FC have made Brickfield Lane a fortress this season, particularly in the FA Trophy. Luckily of the Bricks, they have been drawn at home in every round of the competition so far and it seems to bolster the Step 4 club. Grays Athletic and Ipswich Wanderers have both visited the Barnet based side and were dispatched off pretty comfortably, 2-1 and 4-1 respectively. Whenever at Brickfield, no matter the opponents, the Bricks run riot, so Carshalton will have to be at their very best.
Key Player
Isaac Stones has been on fire for the Bricks at the start of the 2024-25 season, netting 12 times, seven in the league and five in the cup. Having started all seven league games and four out the five cup matches, Stones is a crucial cog for Hadley to be successful.
The Gaffer
Anthony Clark had a brief senior football career as a midfielder for the likes of Southend United, Harrow Borough, Ashford Town, Hendon, and Wealdstone between 2002 and 2006. Clark came through the ranks at Southend, although hung the boots up around the age of 22 (2006). He was appointed Bricks First Team Manager in November 2017, initially working with the long-serving Franco Sidoli. Since then, the 40-year-old has not looked back having enjoyed various cup runs and promotions.
Match Details
Date: Saturday 5th October 2024
Opponents: Hadley FC
Competition: FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying
Ko: 3.00 pm
Venue: Brickfield Lane
Admissions: Hadley Football Club | members of The Southern Football League (hadleyfc.co.uk)
