Back to the Future - Sutton United 2 - 0 Carshalton Athletic

Well, what a surprise! Carshalton failed to win at Gander Green Lane to make it 49 years since they last defeated Sutton on their patch but given how the Robins' season had nose-dived and the U's imperious march to the Ryman Premier title, we had travelled with a sense of foreboding.  

The Zyklusgruppen mobbed up in the Portuguese cafe in Lind Road and after a rather pleasant lunch we mounted up and swept down like wolves on the fold onto Collingwood Rec. The turnout from the Carshalton faithful was the worst I can remember in terms of numbers - many supporters had, I guess, decided that they would rather not see the inevitable defeat or be present when Sutton paraded the Isthmian Trophy at full time. However, those that had shown up were in good spirits and got behind their team in a way that did them credit and many stayed behind after the game to watch the ceremony and offer their congratulations to the worthy league champions. 

Monday 25 April 2011

Ryman Premier League

Sutton United (1) 2                               Carshalton Athletic (0) 0

(Orilonishe 37, Woods-Garness 70)

Attendance: 1367

By Peter Randall

After the temporary raising of spirits as a result of Saturday’s home win against Canvey, there was little chance that the Robins would seriously spoil the U’s Championship party.  Once Sutton had broken through on 37 minutes, there was only one team was ever going to win and the difference in class between the teams became more apparent the longer the game went on.  

Carshalton became the final team to fail to win at Gander Green Lane this season and, despite some decent performances by keeper Craig Ross and his fellow defenders that prevented a win becoming a rout, the home team had too much quality and strength to allow Carshalton to seriously threaten in midfield and up front.  Sutton move onwards and upwards next season, but for the Robins the future direction of the team is far from certain.

It was no surprise that the early running came from Sutton, playing with no pressure and the championship already assured.  Bradley Woods-Garness shot wide from a good position and Sam Page was just off target with his header from a free-kick by Tom Davis.  Carshalton came close to taking a shock lead on 13 minutes when a mis-hit shot by Joel Ledgister left Kevin Scriven stranded, but the shot hit the post with Ledgister unable to get to the rebound.  Tom Davis tried his luck from just outside the area with a shot that hit the bar, but there was still all to play for and Carshalton really should have done better when Michael Boateng spoilt an incisive run down the right flank by tamely putting his low cross too close to Scriven, with the ensuing corner being headed over by Tash Adeyanki.  Sutton were winning most of the midfield contests without being able to prise open the Robins defence and the Robins again went close with another break, Adeyanki and Ledgister combining well on the left to give the tall striker a chance to lob Scriven, his effort just clearing the Sutton goal.  A superb run by Craig Dundas ended with a fierce shot that Ross did well to tip over, but Sutton finally took the lead from the corner that followed.  A well worked move ended with Fola Orilonishe shooting low past Ross with Dundas clearly in an offside position, but not apparently interfering with play.

The second half was dominated by Sutton who were rarely troubled by a game but tiring Carshalton team.  Play became scrappy and by the midway point of the second half it was apparent that Sutton were playing with a gear to spare.  Ross did well to hold a drive by Woods-Garness and Carshalton’s excursions forward became more infrequent with the visitors unable to get enough players in support to seriously threaten the home defence.  A half-hearted penalty appeal by Anthony Joseph was turned down and on 70 minutes United removed any lingering doubts about another win when Woods-Garness scored the second, following up a shot by Orilonishe that came back off the post.  Ross denied Sutton and Andy Forbes a third goal when he superbly blocked the substitute’s run on goal and the only remaining meaningful effort by Carshalton was a shot from the edge of the area by Ledgister that was safely held by Scriven.

Sutton have dominated these local derbies down the years, but it could be some time before the Robins get another chance to redress the balance. 

Robins team: Craig Ross, Michael Boateng, Justyn Roberts, Dwain Williams, David Obaze, David Ray, Darren Bryan, Robbie Kember (Paris Hamilton-Downes), Tashan Francis-Adeyanki (Barry Stevens), Anthony Joseph (Sonny Ayres), Joel Ledgister  

Subs not used. Nial Akata, Jake Hill

Sonny Side Up? Carshalton Athletic 1 - 0 Canvey Island

After six weeks and nine games, the Robins unexpectedly won a game of football! Having lost the previous two games by 4-0 most Carshalton fans would not have been confident going into this match especially as Canvey were sitting in third position but the promotion hopefuls turned in a lack-lustre display; maybe they had one eye on the local derby vs Discord Rangers on Monday.

However, Carshalton still had to play well and there were good performances from Paris Hamilton-Downes, Dwayne Williams and the returning David Obaze but the young substitute Sonny Ayres caught the eye as he claimed the points with his first league goal.

The off-field atmosphere at the War Memorial is still strange, with the supporters now crystalised into two distinct camps; those behind the goal trying to start the singing and a more sizeable group on the Wrythe Terrace pointedly not. The derby at Gander Green Lane tomorrow will be interesting for many reasons, not least to see how the Carshalton fans conduct themselves.

Saturday 23 April 2011

Ryman Premier League

Carshalton Athletic (0) 1                       Canvey Island (0) 0

(Ayres 70)

Attendance: 240

After suffering at the hands of promotion contenders on the three previous Saturdays, football demonstrated what a surprising game it can be as the Robins recorded their first win since early March and their first since Paul Dipre appointed himself as first team manager.  A single second-half goal by substitute Sonny Ayres with his first kick of the game proved to be enough to separate the sides, but in truth the Gulls looked anything but a promotion chasing team and Craig Ross enjoyed his quietest afternoon in many weeks.

David Obaze was a surprise selection at centre back, his first appearance in a Carshalton shirt since early January, and Paris Hamilton-Downes was the latest of the Academy players to be given a start in midfield.  From the start there was little to choose between the two teams and the heat and the bumpy pitch proved to be as big a problem as the opposition for both sides.  Canvey’s Rob King tied his luck with a shot and at the other end goalkeeper James Russell was fractionally first to Anthony Joseph’s cross with Tash Adeyanki closing in.  Goalmouth incidents were few and far between, but Adeyanki headed wide and Canvey’s Danny Heale was inches away from connecting with King’s cross, but the portents for the Robins were good when they managed to avoid conceding a goal in the final minute of the first half, a feat that had been beyond them in the previous 3 games.

Robbie Kember replaced Dwayne Williams after the interval and the visitors were most threatening in the early stages of the second half.  Another dangerous cross by King was headed away by Obaze who was enjoying an effective afternoon at the heart of the Robins defence, but the effort put in by all of the Robins players could not be faulted.  What was missing from the game was the extra bit of quality that would have enabled either side to take control, but Jon Easterford should have done better with a free header that he directed straight into the arms of Ross.  On 60 minutes a long range shot by Kember flew just over, probably the Robins first direct goal attempt of the game, but the breakthrough was only five minutes away.  Canvey defender Chris Moore carelessly conceded a corner and Joel Ledgister’s set-piece was met by David Ray’s head.  The header was blocked by Russell as was Obaze’s follow-up shot, but Sonny Ayres was on the spot to turn the ball in seconds after coming on as a substitute.  The expected response from the visitors failed to materialise in the twenty minutes that remained and the Robins missed out on a couple of good chances to increase their lead.  Barry Stevens lost possession and failed to release Ayres for a run on goal and late in the game Darren Bryan failed to make contact with Joseph’s low cross from the right.  The final chance of the game fell to Canvey, but Alex Rhodes’ shot at the end of a break down the left was wild and wide, giving the Robins the opportunity to savour a win they just about deserved with the inviting prospect of the short trip cross the Borough on Monday to play the Ryman champions.

Robins team: Craig Ross, Michael Boateng, Jake Hill, Paris Hamilton-Downes (Darren Bryan), David Obaze, David Ray, Anthony Joseph, Dwayne Williams Robbie Kember) Joel Ledgister, Tashan Francis-Adeyanki (Sonny Ayres), Barry Stevens  

Subs not used. Nial Akata, Dan Young

Now cracks a noble heart - Tonbridge Angels 4 - 0 Carshalton Athletic

Longmead is always an entertaining place to visit; scene of one of the most celebrated recent Carshalton games, the play off semi final win in 2009 but given our recent form the Zyklusgruppen were not hopeful. The Angels were in fourth going into the fixture whereas Carshalton had not managed a win for eight games and since owner Paul Dipre appointed himself manager the team has gathered only two points from four league fixtures. 

Tonbridge is a decent little town with an interesting-looking Norman castle and a lovely bit of the River Medway winding through it, so I'm not sure how we ended up in Greggs for lunch, but we filled up on porridge and pasties and cycled over to the ground.

As the Robins slumped to their second consecutive four nil defeat it gave me plenty of time to consider how truly dreadful this season has become and how worried I am that the few decent players still at the club will leave over the summer and make relegation a possibility for next season.

Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

Saturday 16 April 2011

Ryman Premier League

Tonbridge Angels (1) 4                         Carshalton Athletic (0) 0

(Rook, 45, Olorunda 55, Stone 78 and 89)

Attendance: 472

By Peter Randall

It is undoubtedly fortunate for Carshalton that previous manager Mark Butler’s squad had accumulated sufficient points to secure League safety before his dismissal in early March.  The dismal record of his self-appointed successor, club owner Paul Dipre, is currently only equalled by Hendon, another side whose form and results have fallen away dramatically in recent weeks.  Clearly the manager has been looking towards rebuilding the side for next season and a number of younger players from the Club’s Academy have been given a baptism of fire in recent games.  While their promise and application augurs well in the longer term, it has often been a case of “men against boys” and for those more concerned with the here and now, the Club’s supporters, the latest defeat at the hands of the promotion chasing Angels proved to be another painful experience.

Tonbridge’s Chris Piper was the first to try his luck with a shot from just outside the area that flew over, but the Robins responded well with Tashan Adeyanki’s header from Luke Pigden’s free kick being deflected over for a corner and a cross from the left by Robbie Kember just failing to reach Joel Ledgister.  Tonbridge began to apply the pressure and full back Jake Beecroft advanced into the Robins half before shooting just wide from distance and the Robins suffered a serious blow when Luke Pigden’s season was effectively ended by a ferocious tackle by Scott Kinch that left the Carshalton midfielder writhing on the ground before being carried off the pitch in the absence of a stretcher and off to hospital.  For those interested the tackle was only worthy of a brief talking to so far as the match official was concerned.  Carshalton’s substitute, Sonny Ayres, was soon in the thick of the action, showing some neat control and to hold off several tackles before playing the ball through to Ledgister who was hurriedly closed down before being able to shoot.  It looked as though the Robins might reach the interval on terms, but in the final minute a shot following a corner struck Carl Rook and was deflected past Craig Ross.

Buoyed by their breakthrough as the oranges were being sliced, it looked as though the Angels had finally picked up the script from the Robins defeat at Hornchurch a week earlier.  The Robins were slowly but surely overwhelmed by a home team that began to fire on all cylinders as the game opened up.   The Robins had a half chance to get back into the game when Michael Boateng and Ledgister combined well on the right.  Boateng rounded the Tonbridge defender before laying the ball back to Ledgister, but his shot was poorly hit and off target.  Ade Olorunda was booked for a foul on Dan Young, but on 55 minutes he found his way into the referee’s book once again, this time for scoring the second goal following a smart turn in the penalty area.  Boateng again found space on the right, but his measured cross to Adeyanki was headed wide.  Tonbridge took over completely in the latter stages, with Adrian Stone the unlikely hero with his first two goals for Tonbridge on 78 and 89 minutes, the first following a blocked shot and the second when the Robins defence obligingly went missing as he advanced into the area.  In the final minute of the game the Robins finally achieved what they had failed to do in the preceding 89 minutes and Boateng ended a good run with a shot on goal in open play, but his effort was easily held by Lee Worgan.

Tonbridge are coming into form at just the right time and must be a good bet for the second promotion place.  For Carshalton, however, a goal let alone a point would be a cause for celebration with only three games remaining.

Robins team: Craig Ross, Michael Boateng, Jake Hill, Dwaine Williams (Tommy Williams), Dan Young, David Ray, Joel Ledgister, Luke Pigden (Sonny Ayres), Tashan Francis-Adeyanki (Darren Bryan), Anthony Joseph

Subs not used. Jake Harris, Jack Eden

Hornchurch Horror Show

Carshalton's visit to Hornchurch's never-welcoming Bridge Avenue "Stadium" was the story of a second half capitulation that was always on the cards given the number of young and /or  physically small players currently in the Robins line-up. It really was men against boys once the alledgedly "mighty" Urchins had got their noses in front rather against the run of play on the stroke of half time.

The Robins Zyklusgruppen were only three strong as we set off with our bikes on the train from Sutton. The trip is one of the season's least interesting with not much to detain us in Upminster, certainly no decent cafes, so we went straight to the ground where the entertainment was provided by the Tannoy Man Max, Essex's answer to Fred Elliot.

"Good Friday. At 'ome to Kingstonian......Kingstonian........Kingstonian on Good Friday. Don't come Saturdee. There's no game. It's on Friday ...............................  to Kingstonian ..... Kingstonian."


"Today's poser. Who made most premiership appearances but has no caps? He's got no caps..... no caps. He's got no caps.  Who is it? He's got no caps." (I can't tell you the answer, we were laughing too hard.)

I shouldn't really mock but when your team has been humilated 4-0 it's hard to be charitable.

My advice? Go to Hornchurch, look at the windmill, listen to Max but don't stop for the football.

Saturday 9 April 2011

Ryman Premier League

AFC Hornchurch (1) 4                                       Carshalton Athletic (0) 0

(Hunt 45, Tuohy 63 and 79, Curley 77)

Attendance: 204

By Peter Randall

After a reasonable first half performance, the Robins would have considered themselves to be unfortunate to go in at the interval a goal in arrears.  Carshalton had matched their Essex opponents for most of the first 45 minutes and it was only Jonathan Hunt’s free kick on the stroke of half time that separated two indifferent sides that looked destined to finish in mid-table.  But Carshalton were unable to hold off an Urchins team that raised their game in the second period and, long before the end, the Robins looked increasingly like a side devoid of shape and ideas as they slumped alarmingly to their heaviest defeat of the season.

Much of the first half was played out in mid-field as both teams worked hard to master the difficult conditions typical at this end of the season.  A long range effort by Dave Collis flew over the Carshalton goal and Craig Ross made a good save from an effort by Hunt that he saw late and pushed wide of the post.  Carshalton responded with a shot from Joel Ledgister that went close, the chance being created by a clever decoy run by Michael Boateng down the right.  Adeyanki and Reece were working hard to disrupt the Urchins defenders and a clumsy foul by Rickie Hayles presented Luke Pigden with the chance to send in a free kick that was touched away by Darren Behcet.  A splendid run down the left was halted at the expense of a corner and Ledgister too tried his luck with a set-piece that tested Behcet.  But of course it's goals and not pressure that ultimately counts and in the final minute of the half Hunt put his side ahead with a well placed free kick that curled round the defensive wall and brushed the far post on its way past Ross.

Hornchurch were first into a substitution early in the second half, Lewis Smith coming on to replace new signing Brian Haule.  Smith made an immediate impact shooting just over from what was almost his first touch.  Carshalton too made a change with Sean O’Toole coming on for Reece, but this had no impact with Carshalton players seemingly bemused by the rearranged line-up.  The pressure was on and not long after Martin Tuohy had headed wide, the Urchins striker gave a lesson in how to finish, latching on to Smith’s through ball to steer his shot round Ross to double the lead on 63 minutes.  Ledgister was surprisingly taken off with 20 minutes remaining and any hope of pulling back the lead seemed to disappear with the home defenders having no difficulty in brushing aside the efforts of the increasingly forlorn Carshalton attackers.  On 79 minutes Hornchurch scored again when a Carshalton corner was cleared to Smith who broke quickly forward.  Tuohy’s initial shot from Smith’s pass was blocked, but only as far as Frank Curley who had the easy task of turning the ball into the empty net.  Two minutes later, Tuohy completed the rout with another simple finish.  For the Robins and their demoralised supporters, it looks as though the end of the season can’t come quick enough.  Whether they will be able to do what they last did on 8th March and record another win is looking increasingly unlikely.

Robins team: Craig Ross, Michael Boateng, Justyn Roberts, Robbie Kember, Dan Young, David Ray, Joel Ledgister (Darren Bryan), Luke Pigden, Tashan Francis-Adeyanki, Matt Reece (Sean O’Toole), Anthony Joseph

Subs not used. Nial Aketa, Dwayne Williams, Tommy Williams

Carshalton Athletic (0) 1 - 3 (1) Kingstonian

Saturday 2 April 2011
Ryman Premier League
Carshalton Athletic (0) 1 - 3 (1) Kingstonian
(Ray 75) (Vines 45, Clayton 46, Hutchinson 71)
Att. 397

By Peter Randall

For their last local derby of the season, the Robins fielded what was very much an experimental line-up as the player revolution at Colston Avenue continues. Rob Kember, signed in midweek from Folkestone, made his debut and, following the departure of Chris Henry to Tonbridge just before the transfer deadline, Academy players Darren Bryan and Sean O’Toole were preferred up front for their first appearances in a Carshalton starting line-up. With a mid--table position assured, the effect was to give the Robins team a pre-season feel. For Kingstonian things were rather more important with points still desperately needed to claim a place in the play-off places and, despite some promising individual performances from the Robins players, the visitors superior team-work, experience and motivation saw them leave with the points.

Kingstonian dominated the early stages and the Carshalton defenders were called on to show the sort of resilience that had earned a surprise away point at Concord the previous Saturday. Dan Young in particular caught the eye with some timely interceptions and Craig Ross once again did well to fend off the efforts of the K’s players swarming around his goal. For all their pressure, however, the best chance of the half was created by the home team five minutes into the game. Joel Ledgister and Michael Boateng combined on the right and the full-back’s low cross found Bryan on the edge of the six yard area. With the goal at his mercy, his attempt to go for power rather than placement saw the ball crash against the underside of the bar and down before being hacked away. As the half progressed Carshalton began to match the work-rate of Simon Huckle and Bash Alimii in the K’s midfield and Kember began to move forward in support of the Robins attack. Bryan and O’Toole were at a considerable height disadvantage against Gary MacDonald and Tom Hutchinson at the heart of the K’s defence, but the young players could not be faulted for effort and attitude and both will only improve with experience. It came as a blow therefore when Kingstonian went ahead in the final minute of the half, Paul Vines displaying his scorer’s instinct to seize onto a ball into the area from Simon Huckle before lobbing it past the advancing Ross into the top corner. With the referee’s whistle about to blow, the Robins almost scored an instant equaliser when Luke Pigden’s free-kick was inches away from the head of Young who had advanced into the area.

The Robins' hopes of getting back into the game were dashed as early as the first minute of the second half when Sam Clayton found space on the right before placing his shot beyond Ross to double the lead. Tashan Adeyinka came on in place of O’Toole and his height and strength immediately made life a little more difficult for the K’s defenders. Pigden, enjoying a good recent run of form in the Robins midfield, worked hard to gain possession before sending in a dangerous cross from the left, and Dwayne Williams forsook his defensive duties to advance into the area to set up Bryan, but the Kingston defence were quick to close down the chance. With 20 minutes remaining Matt Reece came on in place of Bryan to add to Carshalton’s attacking options, but before he had touched the ball the visitors were three up when Hutchinson was the first to a corner from the left to deflect the ball past Ross with a glancing header. To their credit the Robins kept going and gained some reward for their application when Pigden won a corner on the left and Ledgister’s set piece was headed home by captain David Ray. A quick second could have produced an interesting finale, but although Reece came close, volleying over at the end of a good move involving Stevens and Pigden, it was not to be and Kingstonian safely saw out time to avenge their home defeat by the Robins earlier in the year.

Robins team: Craig Ross, Michael Boateng, Justyn Roberts, Dwayne Williams (Barry Stevens), Dan Young, David Ray, Joel Ledgister, Rob Kember, Luke Pigden, Darren Bryan (Matt Reece), Sean O’Toole (Tashan Francis-Adeyanki)Subs not used. Nial Aketa, Josh Turner