CAFC vs Haywards Heath Town FA Cup 1st Rnd
Carshalton Athletic take on Haywards Heath Town in the 1st qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Robins Review
Has FA Cup fever set in yet Robins fans? Well, it certainly has done for me!
The magic of the world’s most famous cup competition is something that will touch every football fan at some point in their lifetime and let’s hope it is our go this year.
For non-league, ascending through the qualifying rounds is a very tough and arduous task, but not impossible as proved by former Reds manager Gary Kilby.
Kilby led Carshalton to the first-round proper of the 1997-98 FA Cup, which we would go on to lose to Stevenage Borough, but only after forcing them to a replay.
In the 26 years since, the Robins have made a good account of themselves in the qualifying rounds, falling agonisingly short on a couple of occasions.
Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath Town compete in the Southern Combination Football League (SCFL), step five of the English Football Pyramid.
So far for the Bluebells, it has been a “pleasing start” according to manager Naim Rouane, but “no more than that” as he likely looks to temper expectations.
Boasting eight victories, four in the league and four in cup competitions, and one draw, the 2024-25 campaign has got off to the perfect start for the Blues.
On Saturday, Rouane’s side beat step 6 Montpelier Villa 3-0 to move into the second qualifying round of the FA Vase, making it 10 years (five campaigns) since they exited the Vase before Q2 Rd. And, just last week, Heath ran out 6-0 winners over fellow step fivers Seaford Town to progress in the Sussex RUR Charity Cup.
Interestingly enough, according to stats page NonLeagueHQ only 12 teams were yet to concede a league goal until Sunday 25 August 2024 with the Bluebells listed, having kept clean sheets in all four matches.
Unfortunately, that was broken bank holiday Monday when they drew 1-1 with Roffey FC in the league.
With many tipping them as one of the favourites to get promoted, topping the Southern Combination League’s premier division on 13 points after five games has indicated that intent.
However, Petersfield Town are giving Haywards Heath a run for their money, displacing them at the pinnacle of the Premier on goal difference the Tuesday before last until Heath overtook them once again with the draw against Roffey. That being said, Petersfield have played one match less.
Local news outlet Sussex World spoke to Rouane a couple of days prior to the Blues FA Cup upset against Deal Town, he was keen for the team not to get ahead of themselves:
“We can’t complain at the start we’ve had and the return of points. But nothing’s won in August and at the moment we can only try to go on improving game by game and resetting for each fixture.
“It felt like a fairytale turnaround in the summer. We had about a five-week pre-season but didn’t have the full squad together for a lot of that time.
“But what we did in pre-season, we did well. I could see the team was in a good place and I envisaged us starting well.”
He went on to praise the influence of Brad Bant, who had recently joined his backroom staff, as well as the impression made by the new signings.
Briefly mentioning Deal, the manager alluded to the tough test they would pose: “They’ve been promoted to step four and have started well.”
Perhaps the young coach was being a bit too modest because when they two sides faced off the following Saturday in the FA Cup Preliminary Round, the Blues ran out comfortable 2-0 winners against the Isthmian South East side thanks to Darius Goldsmith’s first-time finish and Alex Plummer finding the bottom corner.
The historic result proceeded the narrow 3-2 victory over Hassocks FC in the Extra Preliminary Round at the beginning of August.
As for the SCFL, things could not be going any better, four matches, level with Petersfield Town at the summit on maximum points, 11 goals scored, none conceded. Rouane will be desperate to guide Haywards Heath back to the Isthmian South-East division after a two-year absence.
The Blues ascent through the football pyramid properly came to fruition when the Sussex County League was rebranded to the SCFL in 2015, the second division was renamed Division One and the title was immediately won that first season, ensuring Haywards Heath were promoted to the Premier Division.
Finishing top of the Premier in 2016-17, they were due promotion; however, it was denied after a nine-point deduction. Despite being a real sucker punch for the Blues, it only set them back a year because they won it again in 2017-18.
Heath impressed in their debut Isthmian campaign, securing play offs. The club would be knocked out by Horsham, who would end up reaching step three with us Robins.
A famous Senior Cup run, which included a famous away win at Crawley Town, would follow alongside registering an appearance in the Isthmian League Cup quarter-final in 21-22, before being defeated by eventual winners Horsham.
The team also made sure of their involvement in the playoffs once again that season, hoping to make amends for three years prior. However, Herne Bay, who went on to win promotion to the Premier Division, sent them packing on penalties in the semi-finals.
The next year would pan out to be one to forget, suffering a shock relegation to the SCFL following a 3-2 home defeat to Redbridge in the relegation playoff.
Former Burgess Hill manager Jay Lovett took to the helm of the Blues in March 2023 with hopes of helping them avoid relegation. Of course, he proved unable to do so, and eventually accepted a full time offer with Eastbourne Borough in the October of the following campaign.
Rouane succeeded Lovett, making the two signings of Lewis Finney and Liam Hency, both adding Isthmian League experience.
By mid-January, they were lurking sixth in the table, six points behind third placed neighbours Hassocks after a stellar run of six wins in eight. Since taking over, the coach had transformed a stagnating side, completing the transfers of seven new players, who galvanised the team, and had not lost in two months (early November).
Unfortunately, Heath just missed out on the playoffs, finishing sixth place, one outside the playoffs.
In the summer, the club set about retaining the core of the squad and adding the quality of Lancing’s Alex Plummer and Jack Meeres.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Foley, Sankho, Atewologun, Hamstead, Read, Saraiva, Vose, Bradford, Ifeanyi, Stagg, Gody
Haywards Heath Town FC
Bromage, Blencowe, Cadman, Plummer, Spinks, Meeres, Skerry, Daniels-Yeomans, Goldsmith, Napper, Finney
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Kwaku Frimpong remains a long-term absentee for Peter Adeniyi’s side.
Haywards Heath Town FC
Rouane is expected to have a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Pre-Match Analysis
Speaking to the club media about his style of play, Rouane said:
“We like to try and build up through the thirds.
“We are a side that you can set up well against because we have a way of playing and it is quite clear. With us, teams can come here and do a job.”
Referencing the 2-1 victory over Eastbourne, the manager explained that by setting up in a 3-4-3 they packed the middle of the park full of bodies; subsequently, forcing a lot of duals and battles, while Heath tried to break through the lines. It made finding space particularly tricky, commending them for setting up well.
Even though Rouane was happy with the four clean sheets in the league, the coach desires a mix of solid defence with energetic attacking play.
What’s more, they have proved very dangerous from corners. Defender Jack Meeres already has three goals as a result of them. Interestingly enough, Heath have a knack for winning penalties, converting a trio of spot kicks thanks to Lewis Finney.
Finally, Rouane implied that before the Hassocks cup fixture he had briefed the players on a potential scenario, involving long balls in behind by their opponents centre-backs. Within a few minutes, the Blues had conceded from this exact scenario.
Perhaps Ollie and Fikayo could have some joy with their diagonals in this fixture.
Key Player
Alex Plummer is a midfielder who recently joined Heath from Isthmian South East side Lancing where he made 24 appearances in all competitions.
Despite wearing the number four, Plummer’s game does not put large emphasis on defending, but rather his exploits aiding the opposite end of the pitch.
Crucial in the build up through the thirds, he is particularly dangerous in and around the box, often deliberately delaying his runs to arrive late and test the goalkeeper.
So far, Plummer has scored against Crowborough and Deal Town, the latter the better of the two, capping off an excellent team move with a wonderful finish.
Honourable mentions to Lewis Finney and Liam Benson.
Finney is regarded as the best technically in the squad, possessing a brilliant set piece and penalty.
Benson, on the other hand, joined in November, returning to the club and netting 24 times.
The Gaffer
Naim Rouane was a former Club Captain and real fans favourite at Haywards Heath and enjoyed success at Lancing previously in the SCFL. This made him an obvious candidate to take the reigns from Lovett when he moved on to Eastbourne.
The HHTFC board moved quickly to appoint Rouane as the new first team manager, ahead of a vital run of three cup games in seven days.
Chairman Steve Isherwood said: “We’re excited to welcome Naim to the club. His ideas and way of thinking are exactly what we need as we strive for a period of stability. We’re looking forward to working with Naim as we look to achieve our goal of returning to the Isthmian League.”
Last Meeting
The two sides have not met in a competitive fixture according to Football Web Pages.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, August 31 2024
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kickoff: 3:00 pm
Admission: Admission: £11, £8, £5 (online prices) on the gate is a pound or two dearer.
Tickets
