CAFC vs Kingstonian FC – Preview
Carshalton Athletic take on Kingstonian in the Surrey Senior Cup Quarter Finals on Monday at Colston Avenue.
Robins Review
Carshalton regained their winning form on Saturday, cruising to a commanding 6-1 victory over Bowers and Pitsea in the Isthmian Premier Division. Buoyed by the impressive result, the Robins now shift their focus to the Surrey Senior Cup. Their campaign in the competition kicked off with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Epsom & Ewell, followed by a solid 2-0 triumph over Raynes Park Vale in early December. Next, a trip to step five side Abbey Rangers saw a largely youthful squad, featuring academy players, deliver a statement performance with a 2-1 victory. There will be hopes that the Robins can beat Kingstonian to reach the semi-finals of the Surrey Cup against Dorking Wanderers.
Kingstonian FC
Kingstonian compete in the Isthmian League South Central Division, which sits at step 4 of the English Football Pyramid. The Ks are currently third with 69 points from 37 games, and while Farnham have already sealed the title, the Surrey-based side’s focus will now be on securing a playoff spot. However, the race remains tight. Kingstonian trail Uxbridge by three points after a narrow 3-2 defeat to Leatherhead on Saturday, while Hanworth Villa and Ascot United are hot on their heels, sitting on 68 and 65 points respectively, both with a game in hand. Even Hayes and Yeading United, along with Leatherhead, are within striking distance on 63 points, and Raynes Park Vale, currently in eighth with 61 points, still have a crucial game in hand that could catapult them into playoff contention.
It was a strong start to the 2024-25 season for Kingstonian, winning their first three matches, 3-0 (vs Uxbridge), 2-0 (vs Ascot), and 3-2 (vs Eastbourne United). However, the Ks proceeded to suffer consecutive defeats against Raynes Park Vale (4-2) and Chichester City (4-1), the latter in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round. The start of September saw the club return to winning ways, beating Eastbourne 3-0 and Hartley Wintney 2-1 the following week. A 1-1 draw with Horndean meant the Ks went three unbeaten, but as they were growing in confidence, Sittingbourne knocked them out of the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round. A 7-1 thumping of Binfield concluded the month.
For Kingstonian faithful, it was certainly an entertaining start to the month of October. There were successive 5-3 victories before an 11-goal thriller that finished 7-4 in favour of Ashford Town. A couple of tamer results, 2-1 and 3-1 wins against Hayes and Moneyfields ensued, before yet another ruthless display in front of goal saw the club run out 5-0 winners over Westfield. Back-to-back 1-0 victories over Harrow Borough and Moneyfields, a comfortable 2-0 win against Hartley Witney, a 3-0 win over our ground sharers Sutton Common Rovers, and a 1-0 victory versus Ashford extended the Ks unbeaten run to eight games. The club had not conceded in six games and had scored 13 along the way. At the end of November, South Park Reigate put the streak to bed by winning 1-0.
A goalless draw with Binfield ushered in the festive period as wins against Southall (2-1) and Hanworth (3-1) followed. Kingstonian were issued just their second defeat in 12 matches, a run that stretches back to the beginning of October when they were beaten 2-1 just after Christmas by Uxbridge. The Ks did not dwell on it, however, proceeding to go undefeated in January, winning three, including a 5-1 smashing of Met Police. Sandwiched in between a 5-1 draw with Hayes and Yeading United and a 5-1 battering of Sutton was their first convincing defeat of the 2024-25 campaign, a 4-0 loss to league toppers and runaway champions Farnham. Since then, Kingstonian have had a heavy 5-0 defeat inflicted upon them by Westfield and saw Met Police and Raynes Park Vale seal shock 1-0 victories, losing three of their last four matches.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Watkins, Sankoh, Horsley-McKay, Read, Shonibare, Saraiva, Dada, Bradford, Ifeanyi, Smith, Kalala
Kingstonian FC
Allen, Ujkaj, Duncan, Hicks ©, Flaherty, Simon, Gough, Francis, Rowe, Pratley-Jones, McShane
Team news
Carshalton Athletic
The Robins currently have three players side-lined with injury, Kwaku Frimpong, Fikayo Atewologun, and Paris Hamilton-Downes. New signings Kyron Horsley-McKay and Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala have seemingly both cemented starting spots. There was also a debut for centre-back Pepe on Saturday.
Kingstonian FC
There were two changes for the Ks in their 1-0 defeat to Raynes Park Vale, No. 10 Bradley Wilson and fellow midfielder Ben Parkinson were replaced by Mitchal Gough and Dan Rowe in the starting XI. Therefore, ahead of Monday, there is seemingly a competition for places between Rowe and Wilson as well as Parkinson and Gough, although Heesu Lee is also in contention for this spot.
Pre-Match Analysis
Kingstonian have been one of the most prolific attacking sides in the Isthmian League South Central Division, ranking third for goals scored, level with Uxbridge, netting an impressive 76 strikes. Only Farnham have been more prolific, netting a remarkable 111 goals in the 2024-25 season, which has helped them become runaway champions. Defensively, the Ks have been solid, conceding just 50 goals — only six more than second-placed Leatherhead. However, recent form has been a concern. In the last six matches, Kingstonian find themselves in the bottom half of the form guide, sitting 14th out of 22 teams with just six points from their recent fixtures.
Key Player
Forward Eddie Simon not only tops the goalscoring charts for Kingstonian but also the entire Isthmian League South Central Division. Entering the end of the season, Simon has collected a staggering 35 goals. The attacker arrived at the Ks following an outstanding goalscoring record at Walton and Hersham, and in 2023 he became the first player in the history of England’s top eight levels to score hat-tricks in four consecutive games. After Scott Harris signed him for the Swans from British Airways FC, Eddie went on to score 73 goals in 119 appearances and gain two promotions in consecutive seasons.
The Gaffer
Kingstonian appointed Scott Harris at the end of the 2023-24 season. Harris led Walton and Hersham through three back-to-back promotions and then to the edge of the Step Three play-offs. During that time, he also secured a League Cup and a club record of 14 straight wins. Not surprisingly, our club’s directors are so excited to see what he can now achieve for the K’s. It is extremely pleasing to be able to appoint a manager with such a strong, proven track record. The success Scott brought to Walton and Hersham helped them to significantly strengthen their club and increase average attendance at home matches by no less than 700%. Scott does have strong links with the club and followed in his father Kim’s footsteps as Kingstonian’s First Team Manager! As a former K’s reserves and veterans player, it felt a little bit like Scott was coming home.
Match Details
Date: Monday, March 31, 2025
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kick-off: 07:45 PM
Admission: Admission: £11, £8, £5 (online prices) on the gate is a pound dearer.
Tickets: https://form.123formbuilder.com/566
