Carshalton Athletic vs Cray Wanderers – Isthmian Premier – Saturday 15th August, 3.00 pm
Pics: Steve Cullum, Natalie Stribbling
Cray Wanderers play their second away match on successive Saturday’s as the Wands who have drawn their opening two games visit Carshalton Athletic, one of four 100% teams in the Isthmian Premier. Kick off 3 pm.
The Wands will be looking to build on the two points gained but were unfortunate on Tuesday night not to beat Cheshunt after a fine attacking performance but couldn’t find a way through with perhaps the clearest moment coming in added time when Dan Ajakaiye hit the crossbar after a goalmouth scramble.
There were some fine performances throughout the teams and were very solid at the back but had no real luck in front of goal.
The point left Cray in 14th in the albeit very early league table. After the opening two games there are just seven teams unbeaten out of the twenty two sides so fifteen have already tasted defeat.
Carshalton in second place are along with Leatherhead, St Albans City and Dartford the four sides with two wins out of two with Leatherhead just top on goals scored. Eastbourne Borough in fifth have four points while Cray and Cheshunt although winless have two points apiece.
The Robins had a tough last half of the 2025-26 season and only achieved safety on the final day of the season finishing 18th with forty four points but look much better placed this campaign to aim higher up the table.
Steve Bates’ side began the season with a fine 2-0 win at newly promoted AFC Whyteleafe with goals from Prince Kandulo and Jack Jebb. This was followed up on Monday night with another 2-0 win at home to Wingate & Finchley with ex-Wand defender Ethan Kaiser scoring in the fourth minute with the scoring completed later in the game by a Fabio Saraiva strike.
Carshalton Athletic have but for a two season break in the National South form 2004-06 been Isthmian League mainstays since 1973-74 so have met Cray on a number of occasions. The teams met in the 1930’s but in the Isthmian League era have met twenty three times with Cray winning ten, Carshalton six and seven draws including both of last season’s meetings.
It finished 2-2 at Colston Avenue on 13th September when Cray led two nil at half time through goals from Alex Hernandez and Josh Williams but Carshalton fought back with goals from Luke Read and Tolu Ladapo. It finished 1-1 when the teams met at Flamingo Park on 24th January with another ex-Wand, Ben Mundele scoring for Carshalton but Cray levelled through Harry Bridle. So there have been plenty of great games between the teams and always a terrific away day in leafy Surrey.
This should be another terrific forward thinking game on what is almost sure to be a dry and warm if not hot afternoon.
ADMISSION & DIRECTIONS TO CARSHALTON ATHLETIC
War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue, Sutton, Carshalton SM5 2PW
Admission prices
Adults: £14.00 over 18’s (or £13 if purchased online:
https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/tickets
Seniors: £10.00 (£9.00 online) – Under 18’s: £7.00 (£6.00 online)
Online booking closes 3 hours before KO
Women and girls go free to league fixtures. Children under 5 years go free. Please note that U16s unless accompanied by a responsible adult are not permitted. If you look Under 21 years old then please bring photo ID
Matchday Programme – Online and can be found an evening before the match.
Pitch: 3G
Supporters going to Colston Avenue need to adhere to the following:
PLEASE NOTE THAT DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED EXCEPT FOR GUIDE DOGS
Please see here the Carshalton Athletic Match Day Guide for supporters including the Food and Drink on offer.
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 from London Victoria where there are direct trains on a Saturday at 11 and 41 mins past the hour. Returns to Victoria are at 20 & 50 past the hour. You can also go from London Waterloo at 00 and 30 past the hour which require a change at Clapham Junction so probably easier from Victoria. Carshalton station is in Travel Card Zone 5.
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 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
Although by no means a large place there always seems to be lots going on there and there are a couple of 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 to those that like football and making a day of it.
