CAFC vs Wingate & Finchley – Preview
Monday 12th August 2024
Ko 19:45
Colston Avenue
Despite a strong start at the weekend, the Robins were left frustrated after the Seasiders levelled and closed the match as the team on the ascendancy. Carshalton will have hopes of registering a first victory of the campaign when they return to Colston Avenue under the floodlights.
That being said, Robins fans will not have fond memories of playing against the Blues after suffering defeat both times the two sides met last season.
In November, Wingate secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Carshalton; however, it was a one-sided affair in the return fixture as the hosts needed one more point to make sure of playoffs and given the Reds season had fizzled out at this stage, it was a comfortable 3-0 win for the Blues.
Hopefully, the Robins can change their fortunes against the visitors on Monday and make Colston Avenue a place nobody wants to visit.
Wingate and Finchley FC
The Blues enjoyed a historic 23/24 campaign, which saw them finish fourth in the Premier Division and achieve playoffs; however, they fell short at the semi-finals stage following a 1-0 defeat to Enfield Town.
Despite this, it was a superb season for Wingate, largely thanks to manager and club legend Ahmet Rifat, who was recently rewarded with the “Gaffer of the Season” award, and justifiably so, by Ball Hour and UrFreshTVSport.
Rifat transformed the London-based side. He built a young team that played exciting football and scored plenty of goals with the prolific front three of Elliot Long, Ruben Carvalho, and Anointed Chukwu, dazzling crowds.
Long and Carvalho netted 43 times this year, achieving the highest finish in the club’s history and more goals than ever, 78.
They proved formidable in 2024, winning 23 games, joint third with Horsham and Billericay and only behind Chatham and league winners Hornchurch. They also tasted defeat on just five occasions in the second half of the campaign.
In his post-season debrief, the manager spoke about the pride the players and the club should feel in what they built this season.
Unfortunately for Wingate, the incredible individual performances in Rifat’s team stirred up a lot of interest from clubs in the higher divisions, and there were a considerable number of important outgoings in the summer.
Welling United snatched the deadly duo of Long and Chukwu, while winger Carvalho departed for Maidenhead.
Subsequently, it has been a busy summer for Rifat, who completed the signings of eleven new players and set about retaining nine members of the playoff squad at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.
In pre-season, the Blues have secured six wins, two draws, and one loss. The pick of the matches was the victory over Watford U23s and the hard-fought draws against National League Aldershot and League One Peterborough Town.
Even though Wingate will be without their Hollywood front three, the Blues have recruited well and will be tough opponents at Colston Avenue on Monday.
Likely lineups
Carshalton Athletic
Formation: 4-3-3
Foley; Sankho, Atewologun, Hamstead, Read; Vose, Saraiva, Bradford; Ifianyi, Saunders-Henry, Frimpong
Wingate and Finchley FC
Formation: 5-3-2
Hale-Brown; O’Donoghue, Cracknell, Bryron, Frempah, Tanimowo; Talla, Iontton, Georgiou; Obi, Deslandes
The opening day of the season is, of course, important for setting the tone for the rest of the campaign, and Adeniyi’s side will bid to emulate the flying start of the 23-24 season with their emphatic win against Potter Bar Town. Of course, Folkestone will have similar ideas and will be bolstered by their strong home support, so the boys will have to be at their very best to take something back to Colston Avenue.
Team News
Carshalton
Peter Adeniyi should have a fully fit squad at his disposal on Monday barring Kwaku Frimpong.
Wingate and Finchley FC
There have been limited changes to the squads of the last couple of pre-season friendlies; therefore, Rifat also seems to have everybody available.
However, there is some doubt surrounding the availability of fullback Michael O’Donoghue, if he does miss out then Rhamar Garrett-Doughlas will replace him.
Pre-match analysis
The Blues garnered a reputation for their attacking exploits last season after the front three got 60 goals between them. Even though the trio have departed, the arrivals of Chesham United’s Ogo Obi and Chelmsford’s Luke Deslandes have proven to fill the void in pre-season.
Wingate have scored a lot of goals over the summer, and it is down to the way they attack opposition teams. Rifat likes to widen the pitch and play expansive football, stretching the other team’s defensive line. In the attacking phase, instead of having two up front, the wingbacks are high and wide to make it four to overwhelm.
Their pace and cute combinations on the counter-attack has also become apparent, moving the ball quickly and searching for runners in behind. They are an extremely difficult team when it comes to tracking your markers.
In the 23/24 campaign, Wingate leaked 62 goals, the trio of defensive signings early on in the window demonstrates that Carshalton should expect a more resolute backline.
Key Player
When the prolific front three of Long, Carvalho, and Chukwu departed the Maurice Rebak Stadium, Wingate were under no illusion that replacing their goals was a priority and Rifat moved fast to complete the signing of Ogo Obi.
Obi was a crucial cog in Chesham United being crowned champions of the Southern League Premier South Division, where he netted numerous goals and contributed a plethora of assists. Not only does the 26-year-old boast a lot of Step Two experience having been at Maidstone United and Slough, but also the centre-forward was considered extremely promising as a teenager at the Manchester United academy.
The young man will add the necessary firepower up front for the Blues alongside Deslandes and he has set the precedent in pre-season with his pace and clinical edge to get on the scoresheet multiple times.
The Gaffer
Before taking to the helm at Wingate, Ahmet Rifat was the record appearance holder at the club, weaving himself into Blues folklore.
Initially, he returned to the club in 2021 as director of football, alongside Marc Weatherstone, who had just been appointed manager. The pair spent a decade playing together and were tasked with ensuring Wingate went back to their ethos of development and progression pathways for young players and coaches.
When Weatherstone was given the boot after a disappointing 15th place finish in the 2022-23 campaign and a disastrous start to the following one, which saw him pick up only one victory in two months, Clapton in the London Cup, Rifat replaced him.
The board were patient with the young coach, and despite an underwhelming 16th-place finish in his first season, he rewarded them with their first playoff appearance since 2016-17 a year later.
The Last Meeting
The two sides’ previous meeting came on the last day of the season when Wingate blew away Carshalton, cruising to a 3-0 victory and ensuring playoffs.
Match Details
Date: Monday August 10, 2024.
Venue: Colston Avenue.
Kickoff: 7:45 pm
Admission: £11, £8, £5 (online prices) on the gate is £1 dearer
Tickets: https://form.123formbuilder.com/5664717
Tickets
Robins fans can purchase tickets in advance from our web site
Admission charges: £11, £8, £5 (online prices)
