CAFC vs Billericay Town – Match Preview
Carshalton Athletic welcome unbeaten Billericay Town to Colston Avenue on Saturday hoping to avoid consecutive defeats in the Isthmian Premier Division.
Robins Review
Two early first-half goals which occurred in quick succession meant Peter Adeniyi’s side fell to a 2-1 defeat away against Wingate & Finchley on Tuesday. Despite David Smith netting in back-to-back games, the magnitude of the task proved too difficult to overcome for the Reds, who failed to capitalise on the momentum garnered from the Folkestone Invicta victory. The Robins league form has fluctuated of late, there will be hopes that Carshalton can get back to winning ways on Saturday.
Billericay Town
Billericay Town were held to a 1-1 draw with struggling Chatham Town on Tuesday evening following a 90th-minute Jack Evans spot kick.
High in confidence, Billericay languish second in the Isthmian Premier Division on 25 points after 13 games. So far, the Blues have won six and drawn seven, impressively the Essex-based side have yet to suffer defeat in the 2024-25 campaign. What is apparent is that Ricay have tied too many games, they have played out stalemates more times than any other team in the league this season, which is the main reason as to why Billericay are below league toppers Dover Athletic, albeit by the barest of margins, two points.
For the visitors, they secured a comfortable 3-0 victory on the opening day over Whitehawk before three consecutive 1-1 draws ensued. The Blues unbeaten run was extended with a 2-1 win against Hashtag United, that said August concluded with Ricay being knocked out of the FA Cup First Qualifying Round by Bowers and Pitsea. Even though their momentum was briefly disrupted by the cup exit, confidence soared after an enjoyable September produced an 8-1 aggregate score over Folkestone, Cray Valley, and Bognor.
A 6-5 loss on penalties to Chertsey Town in the FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round meant more misfortune in the cup; however, it was soon forgotten when a 4-0 thumping of one of the favourites to go up Dartford followed – that was then proceeded by an equally impressive hard-fought 2-2 with Lewes, who were flying at that stage. Eventually, the Blues were rewarded the rub of the green in a cup competition following a 4-1 Velocity Cup victory over Basildon Town. Recently, things have been a little bit more low-key as humbling scorelines of 1-0 against Dulwich Hamlet and a goalless draw with Whitehawk have been posted.
Blues faithful will always remember the historic 2017-18 season where Billericay lifted the Bostik Premier trophy to seal promotion to the National League South. Ricay also triumphed in the Essex Senior Cup, overcoming Chelmsford in the final, and the Velocity Sport UK Cup Final after beating Met Police. The last time the club had won three competitions in one campaign was 1977-78.
The NLS newcomers impressed in their maiden season, finishing eighth, one outside Wealdstone in the Play-Off places. However, following two years of COVID, the Blues were relegated from step Two in 2021-22. Eyeing an immediate return, consolidating themselves slightly above mid-table in the top half of the Isthmian Premier 2022-23, 10th, was disappointing. That being said, there was a vast improvement in the next campaign, Billericay clinched sixth position which meant they narrowly missed out on the playoffs, the last spot of which was taken by fifth place Horsham.
Likely Line-Ups
Carshalton Athletic
Roberts, Sankoh, Tanner, Atewologun, Read, Saraiva, Bradford, Saunders-Henry, Ifeanyi, Smith, Frimpong
Billericay Town
Donkin, McKenzie, Davis, Bender, Porter, Paxman, Miller-Rodney, Sheriff, Merrifield, Jalloh, Nzala
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Sam Roberts will replace the injured Mackenzie Foley between the sticks temporarily following his arrival on loan from Sutton United. Fikayo Atewologun is established at the heart of the Robins defence; however, whoever partners with him remains unclear. Ollie Hamstead is back on the grass but seemingly still nursing the remnants of an injury, while new signing from Enfield Town Berni Tanner impressed on debut Saturday against Folkestone Invicta. Currently, Kwaku Frimpong is preferred on the right flank to Darnell Goather-Braithwaite and latest addition David Smith, who netted at the weekend, will likely lead the line. Luke Cook is expected to be absent for the next few weeks, that said, it is not as serious as once assumed.
Billericay Town
Ben Steward made way for Tyrell Miller-Rodney in the goalless draw against Whitehawk, Emmanuel also returned to the fold for the Blues in that fixture. Ansu Janneh has been in and out of the starting XI.
Pre-Match Analysis
Billericay Town are on a staggering 13-match unbeaten streak in the league, the Blues boast the best defence having conceded just eight, while netting the fourth most goals with 24. Ricay are a formidable force.
Key Player
Ashley Nzala has scored six times so far for Billericay in the 2024-25 campaign which makes him the club’s top goal scorer. Ibrahim Jalloh follows close behind Nzala, racking up four.
The Gaffer
Before Billericay, Gary McCann’s most recent spell was as manager of NLS side Hampton & Richmond Borough where he spent four years in charge and led them to a number of FA Cup first-round ties. McCann was most notably at the helm of Hendon for 13 years; he was a mainstay in north London. He came agonisingly close to a play-off place in the 2019/20 season in the NLS but was frustratingly denied on a Points-Per-Game basis, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, November 09, 2024
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kick-off: 03:00 PM
Admission: Admission: £11, £8, £5 (online prices) on the gate is a pound dearer.
Tickets: Buy tickets here
