Carshalton Athletic v Hendon – Ryman League Premier Division
War Memorial Ground, Colston Avenue
Admission: £10 Adults, £6 Seniors, £3 Juniors
Weather Forecast: I got it wrong last week so I’m not bothering this week
Leaving off-field wrangles to one side for a minute, the Greens take their 100% record and very clean sheet to Carshalton Athletic tomorrow afternoon looking to extend both against what is an extremely strong and talented looking Robins outfit who are themselves, looking to extend their own unbeaten start to the new season.
Carshalton kicked off a week ago against Canvey Island and came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a Dean McDonald penalty and Paul Vines winner in the 2nd half. Both are likely to start again tomorrow and will provide the Hendon back four with their toughest test yet this season. Dean Lodge, who created both goals last weekend and came closest to scoring against Wealdstone in midweek will need to be watched carefully as well, particularly in and around the penalty area. Defensively, Nick Hamann has returned between the posts after spending last season back in Germany whilst David Ray and last season’s player of the year Justyn Roberts provide plenty of steel at the heart of the Robins defence. Former Hendon loanee Kieran Murphy may well be in line for his first appearance of the season having been competing in China for the British Universities team that lost to Japan in the final.
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| Robins Dangerman Dean Lodge |
For the Greens, I expect Gary McCann will be aiming to name as close to an unchanged side as he can for the third match running. Saturday’s Man of the Match Elliott Brathwaite picked up a knock during the game and missed Tuesday’s win at Bury, it remains to be seen whether or not he will be back in contention tomorrow. The gaffer will be hoping the improved showing going forward in the 2nd half on Tuesday night will be taken forward into tomorrow’s game, with the resolve and defensive solidity remaining. James Archer will be pushing to retain his place following his impressive first start for the club in midweek and Carl McCluskey will be looking to make further strides to an already impressive start to his Hendon career.
After a run of good results away at Carshalton, the Greens are without a win now in 3 attempts. If I’m honest, I would take a point from the game tomorrow in a heartbeat but suspect we may just be edged out. Hopefully that’s just my inner pessimist talking though. Before the season began, I’d have taken anything over 3 points from these 3 matches as an excellent start. Even though we’re already sat on 6 points, that opinion stands.
Prediction: A narrow 2-1 reverse.
Elsewhere, there are some other tough matches to call. AFC Hornchurch will be wanting to respond to their midweek reverse with a positive result against what is sure to be a buoyant Horsham side. Sussex rivals Hastings make the very long journey up to Suffolk to take on Bury Town who themselves will be looking to get back on track. Tooting recorded an impressive away win in midweek and will want to achieve a similar result at Concord who themselves will be after their first win of the season. Wealdstone travel to East Thurrock simultaneously winless and undefeated whilst their Harrovian neighbours Harrow Borough will be hoping for success over Aveley – both sides currently locked together on a single point apiece. Kingstonian face a tricky looking home match against Canvey Island and down the A3 Leatherhead will be hoping to get off the mark against Cray in an early bottom 4 clash. Lewes face another play off hopeful in Billericay at the Dripping Pan and Margate take on Lowestoft in what looks like a potential belter at Hartsdown Park. Wingate against Met Police has been postponed due to policing requirements at Notting Hill this weekend. I will keep the lid on that particular can of worms for the time being.
Predictions
AFC Hornchurch 3-2 Horsham
Bury Town 2-1 Hastings United
Concord Rangers 1-1 Tooting & Mitcham United
East Thurrock United 1-3 Wealdstone
Harrow Borough 2-1 Aveley
Kingstonian 2-2 Canvey Island
Leatherhead 1-1 Cray Wanderers
Lewes 2-0 Billericay Town
Margate 1-1 Lowestoft Town
If anyone is at all interested in how I’m faring so far with these here predictions this season, then fix up, look sharp hither.
Matches Predicted – 22
Correct Scorelines – 2
Correct Results – 10
Utter Nonsense – 10
Make of that what you will stats fans.
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