CAFC vs Hastings United – Preview
Robins Review
Peter Adeniyi’s side suffered a 3-0 defeat to Horsham FC at the weekend in the Isthmian Premier. Unfortunately for the Reds, it extends our winless run to four games. The Robins currently sit 11th in the league on 32 points. There will be hopes that our lads can get back to winning ways on Saturday against Hastings. Last time out, Carshalton drew 1-1 with the Sussex side thanks to a David Smith penalty on the stroke of halftime.
Hastings United
Hastings United’s Isthmian Premier clash with Canvey Island on Saturday was postponed owing to the weather.
For Hastings, it has been a tough 2024-25 campaign so far. Currently, the U’s languish just inside the drop zone in 19th place on 23 points after 23 games. Despite a positive start to the season, registering two league wins and advancing in the FA Cup, back-to-back defeats at the hands of Monday’s opponents Potters Bar Town and Folkestone Invicta ensued a turbulent period. Beginning September by being thrashed 4-0 by Spencer Owen’s Hashtag United before a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate with Lewes softened the blow, a 3-0 cup defeat at Cray spurred then Manager Danny Bloor to blame his team’s attitude, warning “some heads will roll, and some players won’t be playing for Hastings United any longer”. Against Chatham the following week, the U’s ran out 3-2 winners, so on the face of it, Bloor’s comments had worked. However, there were successive losses in the league against Dulwich Hamlet and Cheshunt and a goalless draw with Cray Wanderers.
Ahead of the FA Trophy tie to Hadley Town, who knocked the Robins out in the third round 3-0, Bloor completed the signing of two new recruits, striker Callum Barlow and defender Finn O’Mara. A former product of the United Academy, Barlow scored a lot of goals for Eastbourne United last year. O’Mara, meanwhile, was part of Gary Elphick’s league-winning Hastings team of 2022, he is a centre-back by trade. Unfortunately for the U’s, Barlow was cup-tied for the Hadley fixture and thus not eligible to play in the game. The U’s would end up falling to defeat after a dramatic 87th-minute penalty sent the Step 4 side through in the Trophy. Twenty-four hours later, Bloor, who was only appointed manager last May, received a call from director Ben White telling him that his five-month stint at the helm was over, and assistant Sean Ray took over stewardship.
Ray guided the U’s to a comfortable 2-0 win over Whitehawk, but two games in two weeks against teams in the top four of the Isthmian Premier, Wingate & Finchley and Cray Valley PM, did not help carry forward the momentum as Hastings lost both. Interestingly enough, the Cray match marked three months since they were last at home. Unfortunately for Hastings, a 9-0 hammering at the hands of Hendon followed. That said, when the Robins travelled to The Pilot Field Stadium towards the end of November, Adeniyi’s side were held 1-1 by a spirited U’s. However, Dartford dispatched them 3-0 a few days later.
The following month commenced with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Cray Valley PM to progress through to the Velocity Cup Fifth Round before an emphatic 3-2 away win against Chichester City in the league and a hard-fought stalemate with promotion hopefuls Billericay Town. Back-to-back league defeats to Bowers & Pitsea and Dover Athletic ensued – there would be temporary relief in the form of a Boxing Day win versus Bognor Regis Town – until a 3-1 New Years Day loss against Folkestone Invicta.
Over the last couple of seasons, Hastings have garnered a reputation for finishing just outside the play-off places in the Isthmian Premier, consolidating themselves in and around seventh and eighth. This comes after the U’s won the Isthmian League South East Division in the 2021-22 campaign and were promoted to the third year of non-league.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Foley, Sankoh, Chima, Atewologun, Read, Saraiva, Saunders-Henry, Bradford ©, Ifeanyi, Smith, Frimpong
Hastings United
Rogers, Young, Walker, Lovatt ©, McKay, Howard, Rodari, Wells, Chapman, Fagg, Legg
Team news
Carshalton Athletic
Michael Dada and captain Paris Hamilton-Downes remain long-term absentees through injury.
Hastings United
Sutton United goalkeeper Matt Kerbey has been temporarily filling in between the sticks for the U’s while Louis Rogers recovers from injury. The first choice shot-stopper returned against Folkestone on Saturday as Kerbey went back to Gander Green Lane.
Pre-Match Analysis
Hastings have the second-worst defensive record in the Isthmian Premier Division. The U’s have conceded 47 times in the 2024-25 campaign, only Bognor Regis Town have let in more goals with 57. They have also scored the third least number of goals, 24, joint with 11th place Cray Wanderers.
Key Player
Goalkeeper Louis Rogers may only have five clean sheets to his name this season; however, he has been the one bright spark for the U’s following a plethora of excellent saves. Mr reliable between the sticks, Rogers is a fan favourite. The shot-stopper is fully fit for the Isthmian Premier clash with the Robins.
The Gaffer
Sean Ray has been involved at Hastings United for 24 years in a coaching and playing capacity. Former manager Danny Bloor introduced the ex U as part of his management team over the summer. Ray took over from Bloor after his dismissal in an interim capacity.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kick-off: 03:00 PM
Admission: £11, £8, £5 (online prices) on the gate is a pound dearer.
Tickets: Buy online tickets here
