Ayres Rocks: Carshalton Athletic 2 - 1 Hendon

For the first time in four years, Carshalton's last game meant nothing as far as relegation or promotion was concerned and so Robins fans could kick back and enjoy the match without any undue pressure. The fact that the opposition was Hendon, whose form has been poor of late, allowed Carshalton to end on a high with two goals from young Sonny Ayres and a total of six players from the Academy/youth sides playing a part in the game.

Elsewhere, the make up of next year's Ryman Premier league was being decided. From the Conference South, Lewes, St Albans and Thurrock have been relegated. The guess is that St Albans will go into the Southern League and Lewes and Thurrock will drop into the Isthmian, although bizarrely the team finishing third from bottom of the Conny South has never been relegated because of reprieves, so perhaps we will be spared another trip to Essex! A trip to Thurrock is definitely on the cards though as East Thurrock won the Ryman North with Needham Market, Wingate/Finchley, Harlow and Brentwood contesting the playoffs. Come on Needham! 

In the Ryman South, Met Police amazingly pipped Bognor for the title, by one goal in the end. Accountants in the Premier will be licking their lips at the thought of those hundreds of Met Police fans descending on clubs next season. Joining Bognor in the playoffs are Whitehawk, Leatherhead and Dulwich and if the Rocks don't go up there is no justice.

For those of you who haven't seen a final league table, Aveley and Maidstone joined Croydon Athletic and Folkestone in the drop from the Premier and Tonbridge, Bury, Lowestoft and Harrow are involved in the playoffs. My money's on the Angels to triumph.

My prediction for the Ryman Premier teams for next season:

Billericay
Bognor
Bury
Canvey
Carshalton Athletic
Kray 
Discord Rangers
East Thurrock
Harrow
Hastings
Hendon
'Ornchurch, i said 'Ornchurch
Horsham
Kingstonian
Lewes
Lowestoft
Margit
Met Police
Needham Market
Thurrock
Toots
Wealdstone

Saturday 30 April 2011

Ryman Premier League

Carshalton Athletic (1) 2                       Hendon (1) 1

(Ayres 4 and 68)

Attendance: 211

By Peter Randall

The Robins finally crossed the finishing line at the end of a tumultuous season which saw an autumn of promise, followed by a winter of upheaval and discord and a spring in which the side slipped down the league against a background of managerial musical chairs.  All a million miles from the stability promised at the start of the season, but at least two wins in the final home games improved morale on and off the field and it’s always good to finish on something of a high, however modest it might be.  Hendon too have seen an alarming slump in form in the final third of the season and their appearance at

Colston Avenue

for the final curtain call enabled the younger Robins players to show off their potential and for the supporters to drift away with the hope that things might be better next season after all.

Carshalton went on the offensive from the kick-off, Tommy Williams left foot shot forcing James Reading into an early save, and the home team were in front on four minutes when Williams flicked the ball on to Sonny Ayres who cleverly held off the challenge of Eddie Munnelly before striding forward to steer the ball wide of the advancing keeper.  Sean O’Toole was the next to take on the Hendon defence with a run down the left and when his pulled back pass was half cleared, it was Williams on hand to try his luck with a volley that was just off target.  With the Robins in the ascendancy, Hendon’s equaliser on 15 minutes was totally unexpected.  There seemed little danger when Aaron Morgan gained possession just outside the penalty area, but a clever turn and fierce drive seemed to take Craig Ross by surprise with the keeper beaten on his near post.  Despite this set-back the Robins continued to enjoy the best of the first half exchanges, their best chance coming on 25 minutes when Williams’s free kick picked out David Ray whose header produced another good save by Reading.  For all their dominance, however, the Robins were unable to retake the lead and were fortunate to avoid falling behind when Scott Cousins hit his shot over with the goal at his mercy.

The Robins made a slow start to the second half and on 55 minutes Tashan Adeyinka was replaced by midfielder Jimmy Hearne.  The substitute was immediately in the action, supplying a pass for Ayres to put the ball in the net, only for his effort to be disallowed for offside.  Sonny Ayres was coming more into the game as the service to him improved, despite the dreadful, beach-like condition of the pitch, and not long after seeing an effort blocked by Reading from yet another Williams pass, the young striker was at the end of a superb exchange of passes involving Jake Hill and Sean O’Toole to deservedly put the Robins ahead for the second time.  Hendon made a triple substitution after the goal, but the momentum remained with the Robins with Tommy Williams shooting just wide before placing a corner on to the head of Justyn Roberts.  Once again it was Reading to Hendon’s rescue, tipping the ball over, and Carshalton continued to dictate proceedings without being able to put away the third decisive goal.  Only in the final two minutes did Hendon get back into the game.  Danny Dyer’s low cross from the right flew across the face of the Robins goal with no-one able to get a touch and Craig Ross ended a fine season with a crucial save from Morgan in the final minute.

The Robins finished the game with six Academy players on the pitch, all of whom acquitted themselves well.  The final act was the presentation to Justyn Roberts of the Supporters Player of the Year Award for his consistent performances throughout what turned out to be anything but a straightforward season.

Robins team: Craig Ross, Dan Young, Jake Hill, Paris Hamilton-Downes, Justyn Roberts, David Ray, Tommy Williams (Dwayne Williams), Sean O’Toole, Tashan Francis-Adeyanki (Jimmy Hearne), Sonny Ayres , Joel Ledgister (Darren Bryan)

Subs not used. Robbie Kember, Nial Akata