CAFC vs Bowers & Pitsea – Preview
Carshalton Athletic welcome Bowers & Pitsea to Colston Avenue on Saturday in the Isthmian Premier Division.
Robins Review
The Robins suffered a 2-0 defeat to Whitehawk on Saturday following a brace from Jordan Maguire-Drew. The result saw Peter Adeniyi’s side drop to seventh in the Isthmian Premier on 58 points as Chichester City beat Hastings United 2-0 to overtake us and edge closer to the play-off places (61 points). There will be hopes that Carshalton can return to winning ways against struggling Bowers & Pitsea on Saturday.
Bowers & Pitsea
Bowers & Pitsea were on the receiving end of a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Cray Wanderers on Saturday following a Nyren Clunis hat-trick. Bowers find themselves rock bottom of the Isthmian Premier Division, stranded on 19 points after 36 games, trailing second-from-bottom Bognor Regis Town by seven points. Their season began disastrously, with no wins in their first five matches, suffering a 9-4 aggregate defeat to Hendon, Cheshunt, Chatham, Whitehawk, and Canvey Island. A narrow 1-0 loss to Potters Bar Town followed, but they shocked Dartford with a 2-1 away victory. Despite a 2-0 loss to Lewes, the Essex-based side found some form with a 4-1 thrashing of Dulwich Hamlet to round off September.
The team then began a frustrating pattern of alternating results. After a 3-1 defeat to Wingate & Finchley, they bounced back with a 2-1 win over Chichester City. High on confidence, Bowers defeated Hendon 1-0, but a six-match winless streak followed, which included a humiliating 5-0 loss to Horsham. This poor run left them firmly in the relegation zone as the festive period approached. A 1-0 defeat to Cheshunt extended their losing streak to seven matches. However, just before Christmas, they picked up their first victory since November, beating Hastings United 4-2.
They carried that momentum into the new year with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Hashtag United and Folkestone Invicta, but the optimism was short-lived. Back-to-back losses to Cray Valley and Chichester City, both by slim margins of 2-1 and 1-0, highlighted their continued struggles. The following month began with a 3-1 defeat to Dartford, and they then went on a four-game goal drought, conceding a staggering 12 goals, including a crushing 6-0 loss to Wingate & Finchley. March has been a particularly tough stretch for Bowers, facing top-half opposition in the playoff race, including Billericay Town, Dover Athletic, and Horsham. The results were disheartening, with the club suffering a 7-1 aggregate defeat.
Having been relegated from step three in the 2022-23 season, Bowers & Pitsea made a swift return last year, securing promotion through a penalty shoot-out win over Essex rivals Brentwood Town in the Isthmian North Division play-off final.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Watkins, Sankoh, Atewologun, Read, Shonibare, Saraiva, Dada, Bradford, Ghannam, Smith, Ifeanyi
Bowers & Pitsea
Whitney, Monville, Gruszczinski, Albon, Ambrosisine, Sani, Fiddes, Scales, Reeve, Evans, Addy
Team news
Carshalton Athletic
Aaron Watkins managed to keep his spot between the sticks for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Whitehawk FC, Mackenzie Foley dropping to the bench. Kwaku Frimpong is carrying a knock, while Oluwabunmi Babajide has returned to parent club Hampton.
Bowers & Pitsea
New signing between the sticks Joseph Whitney made his debut in the slender 1-0 defeat to Horsham town. What’s more, Bowers announced the return of Freddie Price last week, who made the move from Pitching In Isthmian North side Concord Rangers. Freddie moved to the Beachboys in the summer, and made twenty-nine appearances, scoring twice. He ended last season playing a big part in Bowers North Division Play Off win, playing eight times, after moving from Chatham Town.
Pre-match analysis
Bowers & Pitsea sit second from bottom in the Isthmian Premier Division for goals conceded, having let in 70 so far this season. Only Bognor Regis Town, with a staggering 83 goals against, have a worse defensive record. However, the Essex-based side are also the league’s lowest scorers, finding the net just 28 times in the 2024-25 campaign. Since February, their struggles have deepened, scoring only twice while conceding a massive 22 goals.
Key Player
Given the club’s ongoing struggles in front of goal, Freddie Price, a key figure in their 2022-23 promotion campaign, will be vital to their hopes of survival. The striker, who played a pivotal role in Bowers’ Isthmian North Division play-off win with eight appearances after joining from Chatham Town, will be expected to help turn their fortunes around. There are hopes that Price can replicate his previous form and provide the attacking spark the team desperately needs.
The Gaffer(s)
Bowers announced the appointment of Joe Flowers and Luke Wilson as joint managers following James Collins’s resignation on Christmas Eve. Both Flowers and Wilson have enjoyed past success with Bowers, Flowers having been part of Rob Smalls management staff that won the Isthmian Division One North and made it to a historic first-ever FA Cup First Round. Meanwhile, Wilson played 126 times for Bowers, scoring 24 goals, and won both the Essex Senior League and Essex Senior League Cup during his time. Wilson was also part of the squad that made it to the FA Vase Semi-Final, in which Bowers were narrowly defeated by eventual winners Morpeth Town.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kick-off: 03:00 PM
Admission: Admission: £11, £8, £5 (online prices) on the gate is a pound dearer.
Tickets: https://form.123formbuilder.com/566
