Carshalton Athletic v Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 15th March, 3 pm – Match Preview & Directions

by | Mar 14, 2025 | Front Page

Carshalton Athletic v Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 15th March, 3 pm – Match Preview

 

Cray Wanderers continue their challenge for the playoffs on Saturday as Neil Smith’s side head to a Carshalton Athletic side with similar aspirations as 8th host 10th in the Isthmian Premier.

Cray will be looking to maintain the momentum of last Saturday’s winning start to March with a 3-1 home win vs Canvey Island which leaves Cray in 10th Place on 51 points after Wingate & Finchley moved up into 9th in midweek. 

The win against Canvey was well deserved and earned with two first half goals scored by Frankie Raymond from the penalty spot ten minutes before half time and then Soul Kader who continued his remarkable scoring start to life back with Cray on loan from Bromley making it six goals in five matches three minutes later.  Canvey threatened a comeback early in the second half and pulled a goal back but Cray regrouped and Lateef Adaja’s classy strike nineteen minutes from time sealed the win and made it 13 unbeaten at home.

With safety practically guaranteed over the 50 points mark there is little pressure on Cray in regards to the drop but it was a low key 1-1 draw with Carshalton at Flamingo Park on 30th November which began the Wands revival from the bottom four to above midtable in four months.  Abdul Sankoh gave the Robins a 38th minute lead but Nathan Jeche who has since signed on dual reg with Whitstable Town notched a leveller two minutes later against a Carshalton side that finished with ten men. 

Saturday sees what is always a quality game of football on the 3G at Colston Avenue and Carshalton as is usual are in and around the playoffs and six straight league wins in January and February have given them a punchers chance of the top 5.  They have 55 points from 34 games five behind 5th placed Dover and have a respectable +11 goal difference.

Last time out, Peter Adeniyi’s side who by most observers and judges say play the best football in the division were 1-0 winners at Cheshunt with Luke Read’s 14th minute winner proving decisive.

At home, Carshalton have beaten Wingate & Finchley (3-2), Folkestone Invicta (2-1), Billericay Town (4-3), Potters Bar Town (2-1), Chatham Town (2-0), Hashtag United (1-0), Hastings United (2-1) & Canvey Island (2-1). They drew with Lewes (0-0), Bowers & Pitsea (1-1), Hendon (2-2), Cheshunt (1-1) Whitehawk (2-2) and Bognor Regis Town (4-4) with the only defeats coming against Dartford (0-1), Chichester City (1-2) and Cray Valley PM (1-2). Away from home the Robins won at Chichester City (3-1), Hashtag United (1-0), Chatham Town (3-0), Hendon (3-0), Dover Athletic (3-1), Potters Bar Town (1-0) and Cheshunt (1-0). Carshalton drew at Bognor Regis Town, Hastings United & Cray Wanderers and were beaten by Canvey Island, Wingate & Finchley, Dulwich Hamlet, Horsham and Billericay Town.  Leading scorer is David Smith who Wands fans may recall began the season with Cray with 13 goals.

The Wands have a decent recent record at Carshalton having won two and drawn one of the last three visits to Colston Avenue including a 2-1 win in January 2024 where Ellis Brown scored twice.

This should be a cracking game between two sides in confident mood and also perhaps under the radar a little in terms of possible promotion contenders.

Admission £12 adults £9 concessions (online £11 adults, £8 concs) https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/tickets

Programme Online & available now to view

DIRECTIONS TO CARSHALTON ATHLETIC

War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Sutton, Carshalton SM5 2PW
Admission prices
Adults: £12.00 over 18’s (or £11 if purchased online: https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/tickets
Seniors: £9.00 (£8.00 online) – Under 18’s: £4.00 (£3.00 online)
Matchday Progamme – Online and can be found an evening before the match.
Supporters going to Colston Avenue need to adhere to the following:
Photo ID needs to be provided for purchasing alcohol but also needs to be shown at the gate upon arrival. No drums or clappers are permitted into the ground. Dogs will need to wear a muzzle but are generally welcome.
DIRECTIONS: CAR
If you are driving the best and fastest way is via the A232 picked up from West Wickham. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Wickham Road/A232 follow for 1.4 miles and at the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Shirley Road/A232. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit onto Addiscombe Road/A232 then keep following the A232 for 1.7 miles. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the Croydon flyover/A232 for 1 mile. Then keep right to continue onto Epsom Road, use the middle lane to turn right onto Purley Way/A23, then turn left onto Croydon Road/A232 following the A232 for 2.2 miles. Then continue onto the roundabout taking the 2nd exit onto West Street/A278 then after 0.3 miles turn left into Colston Avenue for the ground.
The entrance to the ground is down a small alley about 150 yards on your right. This is a busy and narrow road so best to avoid parking down here – there is a car park at the ground or park on West Street or Colston Avenue.
Train Travel
Trains to Carshalton go direct from London Victoria on Saturday’s at 11 & 41 past the hour or 15 and 45 on the way back. Please check online for more details. Trains from London Waterloo require a change at Clapham Junction or Wimbledon.
The station is only a few minutes’ walk from the ground – take a right out of the exit and walk down the hill. Turn right, walk under the railway bridge and then left into Colston Avenue – ground is 150 yards on your right.
The following bus no’s will take you close to Colston Avenue, 127, 157, 407, 627, S3 & X20
Carshalton has a few decent pubs within a stone’s throw of the ground. On West Street (take a left out of the station) there are the Racehorse which is a live music venue and also The Hope, whilst in The High Street there is the Greyhound Hotel, Woodman and Coach and Horses – all of which are worth a visit and serve top notch food. The clubhouse at the ground is excellent (one of if not the best in the league) and has done a pretty decent guest ale in the past.
Pub Guide:
The Hope
48 West Street, SM5 2PR – 7 mins
The Racehorse
17 West Street, SM5 2PT – 7 mins

The Greyhound Hotel
2 High Street, SM5 3PE – 13 mins
The Woodman

6 High Street, SM5 3AG – 14 mins 

Coach and Horses
12 High Street, SM5 3AG – 14 mins
If it’s a Chippy you want then Chipsmiths in the High Street should you get there early and decide to have a walkabout should suit you. Also on the High Street are a couple of decent Indian restaurants, The Blue Bengal and Indian Oasis.
Although by no means a large place there always seems to be lots going on there and there are a couple of lovely ponds, three parks, a Water Tower and well worth a stroll along the River Wandle as well as taking in some breathtaking Surrey scenery. One to definitely recommend for those that like football and making a day out of it but might be even better if it doesn’t rain on Saturday or freezing cold.