CAFC vs Potters Bar Town – Preview
Carshalton Athletic FC travel to The Orbital Fasteners Stadium for some Friday night Isthmian Premier Division action against Potters Bar Town.
Robins Review
The Robins extended their winning streak to six games and closed the gap to the playoffs to just eight points with a 2-1 victory over Canvey Island on Saturday. Nabeel Ghannam returned from a hamstring-related issue to level just after the break, before David Smith netted his 15th of the 2024-25 campaign to secure the victory. There will be hopes that the lads can carry forward the momentum into Friday evening against Potters Bar Town.
Potters Bar Town
Potters Bar Town secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Lewes following a last-gasp Joe Re winner on Saturday. The club currently sit 10th in the Isthmian Premier Division on 43 points after 29 matches. The club boast a game in hand over the Robins and have a record of 13 wins, four draws, and 12 losses.
It was an opening day to forget for the Scholars after suffering an 8-0 drumming at the hands of former National League South side Dover Athletic. That said, the club were able to make amends the following week by beating Dartford 1-0. Despite a narrow 3-2 defeat to Horsham, Potters Bar got back to winning ways in a 2-0 victory over Hashtag United, before making it consecutive wins when they dispatched Wingate & Finchley 2-1 to conclude their league action for August. Lowestoft Town would knock them out 6-2 in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, although a strong September beckoned as the club edged Bowers & Pitsea 1-0 while hammering Lewes 5-0, who were flying high up until that stage. The Scholars positive run of form carried over into October. The club knocked Whitehawk out of the FA Trophy in the Third Qualifying Round, sealed a 1-0 victory versus Cheshunt, and ground out a 2-2 stalemate with Chatham.
After Cheshunt returned to enact their revenge by running out 4-2 winners on penalties in the Velocity Cup Third Round, a disappointing streak of results ensued. Following a 2-1 FA Trophy First Round Proper loss to Biggleswade Town, there was a six-match winless run in the Isthmian Premier that extended across the entirety of November, which included Peter Adeniyi’s side 2-1 home win over Potters Bar. However, the month ended with the club picking up three points in a seven-goal thriller where it was the Scholars who emerged victorious, beating Chichester City 4-3. The tide began to turn in the festive period as Potters Bar registered wins against Folkestone Invicta and Hendon Town, before a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Bognor Regis. The year concluded on a sour note, however, after the club were dispatched 6-0 by Horsham.
Since then, the form guide has Potters Bar in 12th with three wins and three losses, taking the club to nine points after six matches. Except for Billericay Town, the teams they encountered along this run were below them in the table, so the Scholars will be frustrated not to have capitalised on the opportunity to close the gap with Folkestone, Carshalton, Chichester, and Hashtag, who are all between sixth and ninth, respectively, and in hot pursuit of the play-off places.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Foley, Sankoh, Atewologun, Read, Lavaly, Saraiva, Frimpong, Saunders-Henry, Ifeanyi, Smith, Shonibare
Potters Bar Town
Moore, Steel, Henry, Abbott, Kyei, Sambou, Re, Smith, Da Costa, Adams, Cawley
Team news
Carshalton Athletic
Michael Dada made a much-welcomed return to first team proceedings on Saturday after sustaining an injury against Dulwich Hamlet. Nabeel Ghannam, meanwhile, recovered from a hamstring-related issue that kept him out of last week’s win over Dover. Defender Luke Read was absent from the squad entirely.
Potters Bar Town
Potters Bar have announced a whole host of new arrivals and departures from the club. Cian Moore is the Scholars new No. 1; Moore was signed from National League South outfit Chesham United FC. Defender Ben Casey, meanwhile, comes from the Watford Academy and has previous experience at the youth setups of Fulham, Arsenal, and Crystal Palace respectively. Sixteen-year-old Ryan Doherty has been recalled by Stevenage FC after impressing on loan at the club, while Khale Da Costa has had his loan from Folkestone Invicta extended. Finally, Laurie Shala was also recalled by parent club Wycombe Wanderers. Manager Max Mitchell referenced that the club are struggling with injuries, particularly at wing-back.
Pre-Match Analysis
There is only one team in the Isthmian Premier that have conceded more goals than Potters Bar’s 56, which is Bognor Regis with 73. The club have also struggled up the other end, netting 41 times, which places them middle of the road for “Goals Scored” in 14th place. Manager Max Mitchell has praised his team in recent weeks for the improvement in their performances and puts it largely down to the fact that the Scholars have finally got some continuity in their squad following much-needed new arrivals given a string of injuries, particularly at wing-back.
Key Player
Brandon Adams concluded the 2023-24 campaign as the Scholars top scorer, having netted 19 times. Despite Steve Cawley leading the way for goals scored this term, Adams has been in fine form in front of goal in recent weeks. The striker has netted three in two matches following a brace in the 3-2 victory over Whitehawk and opening the scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Cheshunt the week prior.
The Gaffer
Max Mitchell arrived at the Lantern Stadium in November 2022 as assistant to then-manager Lee Protheroe. Pretheroe resigned at the beginning of March 2023 following one Isthmian League win from 13 games. Mitchell agreed to take the role on an interim basis, he was in charge as the Scholars lost 3-0 to Aveley in the final of the Isthmian Velocity League Cup. Last season, the young coach guided the Potters to a respectable 15th-place finish on 51 points, 12 above the drop zone.
Match Details
Date: Friday, February 14, 2025
Venue: The Orbital Fasteners Stadium
Kick-off: 07:45 pm
Admission: £13 (Adults), £10 (Concessions, includes students and over 65s), £1 (U16). ID with proof of age may be required.
Tickets: Click here for information on Admission Prices
