By Jamie Ireland
Happy New Year to everyone and let’s hope for another great year!
After three impressive wins and an entertaining draw in their last four, Chi continue to make their way up the table and now sit in 9th place, still with games in hand on teams above them. Our opponents the Robins have only picked up two points in their last four and will need to start winning games if they want to avoid a relegation battle as they hover down in 17th position.
Last time out on Christmas weekend, the Lillywhites won 2-1 away in a West Sussex derby at Burgess Hill Town thanks to a double either side of half time from Miles Obodo. The teenager pounced on an error at the back in the 18th minute and fired in a great strike on the hour mark to make it a brace. Max Fiddes got one back for the hosts with 15 to go, but they could not find an equaliser as Chichester’s unbeaten run continued. Miles Rutherford’s men will hope to win back-to-back home games for the first time this season, as they try to make a Play-Off push in the second half of the season.
Recent results:
27/12 Burgess Hill Town (A) 1-2 (W)
20/12 Hashtag United (H) 1-0 (W)
16/12 Cheshunt (H) 2-2 (D)
13/12 St Albans City (A) 1-2 (W)
06/12 Cray Valley PM (H) 0-3 (L)
Our Opponents
Carshalton are only four points off the relegation zone on 25 following a run of six games without a win. In their last five league matches, they have drawn two and lost three – with the most recent being a 1-1 draw at home to Dulwich Hamlet last Saturday. Despite this poor run of form, they have had recent results decided by the odd goal so Chi should expect a tight and well-fought encounter from the visitors.
Finishing one place behind Chichester last season in 7th, they may be disappointed with how the first half of this particular campaign has gone. A mainstay in the Isthmian Premier Division since 2018 following their relegation from National League South, the Robins, like Chichester, will want to climb up the table with a run of good form and steer themselves away from such an unfamiliar position. Their manager, Peter Adeniyi, has been in charge since July 2023, and was previously a player-coach at the club, but will have reason for encouragement having come away as winners at fellow Sussex clubs Burgess Hill and Lewes earlier on in the season although they will face an in-form Chichester side.
Ones to watch
Kola Salami – The exciting young forward made the permanent move to the South London club from Erith Town ahead of the 24-25 campaign and showed great promise at Carshalton as well as on a short dual-registration move to AFC Whyteleafe. However, Salami has really broken through this season, as he has bagged 9 goals in 23 games – having appeared in every fixture for the Robins. Adeniyi has described him as having ‘unbelievable pace’, which is likely to cause the Chi’s defence some real problems on Saturday.
Bryan Ifeanyi – Another exciting young forward for the visitors, Ifeanyi typically plays on the left wing and has scored 7 goals this season. The winger signed a new contract in the summer despite interest from Step 2 sides following an excellent 30 goal contributions in 50 appearances last campaign, leading him to winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award. Having been praised for his flair and ability to excite supporters, Adeniyi believes the 23-year-old has the talent to make it into league football and will be a tricky customer for Chi’s right hand side to deal with.
Previous meetings
In the reverse fixture at the War Memorial Sports Ground back in August, Chichester ran away as 3-0 winners with second-half goals coming from Lewis Rustell, Ciaran Martin and Billy Vigar. Carshalton, however, were victorious last time they visited Oaklands Park in a 3-1 win last season and will be hoping to repeat this result on Saturday.
Head-to-Head
25/08/25 – Carshalton 0-3 Chichester
28/12/24 – Carshalton 1-2 Chichester
17/08/24 – Chichester 1-3 Carshalton
Matchday information
Supporters wishing to attend the game can who have not bought a ticket can purchase one here: Fanbase | Select Tickets.
The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday afternoon in what should be a nice and sunny Oaklands Park.
We hope to see you guys there and Up The Chi!
