A quick update before the much-anticpated trip to Lewes:
Credit where credit's due, we at RR Towers are very impressed by Carshalton Athletic's new policy of fan meetings.
Many clubs at our level hold regular meet-the-board evenings and up until this season such events were fairly common at the War Memorial Sports Ground. However, since the ascension of owner Paul Dipre to the post of manager the supporters of Carshalton have had to be content with three "blog" updates and whatever information that can be gleaned from increasingly gnomic comments in the club's matchday programme.
Clearly the club, innovative in so many other ways, was working on a new approach to meeting the supporters and over the past few weeks it has become clear that a series of one to one meetings with the club's owner, conducted post-match at pitch-side, is the way to go.
In fact, I think I may have inadvertently reported the first of these meetings on this very blog http://robinsrepository.blogspot.com/2012/01/you-may-feel-small-prick-bury-town-2-0.html when one of my travelling companions was treated to a half time interview during the defeat at Bury Town.
A few weeks later, after a 0-2 home loss to mighty Discord Rangers, another supporter was beckoned down from the terraces by the owner/manager and given the benefit of his wisdom. Finally, at the most recent home defeat (ninth of the season!) a fan was given the hairdrier treatment complete with interesting vocabulary, details here http://forums.footballwebpages.co.uk/forum.jsp?id=27&article=23905.
Given the club's plummeting home attendances I anticipate that we will all have had an interview by the end of the season. Surely it must be my turn soon.
Saturday 10 March 2012
Sunday 15 January 2012
Shoes off! - Lincoln City 0 - 0 Carshalton Athletic
I'm not sure the home supporters will agree and I'm absolutely sure David Holdsworth and his players won't, but for the gross or so Carshalton fans that travelled to Lincoln to see this 2nd round FA Trophy tie the day proved to be extremely satisfactory.
The rather stately progress of the two supporters coaches once again vindicated the Robins Zyklusgruppen's dedication to public transport and an early start from Sutton via King's Cross and Newark saw us pitching up in lovely Lincoln well before lunch time. A stroll round the town centre and a walk up Steep Hill was a real pleasure; I certainly had no idea that Lincoln was so well-preserved and full of fascinating medieval buildings, not least the beautiful cathedral and castle both visible for miles around.
However, we don't have time for culture when there's a lunch to score and with a little local knowledge (gleaned by one of our number spending a considerable amount of time chatting to a very amenable lady) we found a decent restaurant, certainly a cut above our usual cafe. They parked us in our own private dining area, possibly because there were nine of us, possibly to distance us from the other diners and the food proved to be pretty good. I'm still smarting at my decision not to have the soup, which was apparently excellent, making do with some very pedestrian Potato Skins. My main course pasta was better but I'm struggling to give Cafe Zoot more than 6/10, even taking into account the private dining room.
So, onto Sincil Bank and that rarest of beasts for a non-league fan, an all seater stadium. The ground's 10,000 capacity was not to be tested but it was still a decent atmosphere for the game, helped by the Carshalton choir in fine voice. In true non-league style, the Robins fans stood for the whole game and gave the team their full support and the team repaid them handsomely. Lincoln were clearly fitter and technically more polished but the visitors worked hard at closing their opponents early and denying space in central areas. The longer the match went on the more confident we got, reaching half time well in control of the game. The friendly stewards praised us for coming and putting on a real show whilst bemoaning their own sides inconsistency and lack of confidence.
In truth the game was hardly a classic, with Nick Hamann rarely troubled and only shots from distance by Vines and Hamici ever threatening the Imps goal, but as the home support started to vocalise their displeasure we became more comfortable.
"Shoes off if you love the Robs" sang the choir as several dozen cheesy pairs of trainers were thrust towards the darkening sky and as even as the referee somehow added five minutes of injury time (there had hardly been a stoppage all game and only one caution) we carried on singing. The players were out on their feet but still they threw themselves into challenges to deny the Imps any space or time to play. Special mentions to Kieron Murphy and Craig Tanner who both came into the team covering absentees Ray and Davis whilst new loan signing Reece Jones also impressed but the MotM for me was Justyn Roberts who led the rearguard action superbly.
Finally the referee blew for full time and although we hadn't won, and whatever the result in the replay on Tuesday, both players and supporters had done the name of Carshalton proud.
In my excited state, I clean forgot to look for the club shop; I'm sure there was one but a quick look on their website shows I have a choice of two club pens, so I think I'll order me the one below and award them 9/10, deducting a mark because on the internet you can't check to see if it works :-)
A pleasant journey back to civilisation followed, broken only by a visit to a pub and chippy in the 1960's theme park that is Newark. All in all I'll give the match experience a 9/10. A great result and a tremendous atmosphere. As the cup cliche has it; Lincoln won't fancy coming to our place on Tuesday night!
Total score 24 and we have a new leader for the season!
The rather stately progress of the two supporters coaches once again vindicated the Robins Zyklusgruppen's dedication to public transport and an early start from Sutton via King's Cross and Newark saw us pitching up in lovely Lincoln well before lunch time. A stroll round the town centre and a walk up Steep Hill was a real pleasure; I certainly had no idea that Lincoln was so well-preserved and full of fascinating medieval buildings, not least the beautiful cathedral and castle both visible for miles around.
However, we don't have time for culture when there's a lunch to score and with a little local knowledge (gleaned by one of our number spending a considerable amount of time chatting to a very amenable lady) we found a decent restaurant, certainly a cut above our usual cafe. They parked us in our own private dining area, possibly because there were nine of us, possibly to distance us from the other diners and the food proved to be pretty good. I'm still smarting at my decision not to have the soup, which was apparently excellent, making do with some very pedestrian Potato Skins. My main course pasta was better but I'm struggling to give Cafe Zoot more than 6/10, even taking into account the private dining room.
So, onto Sincil Bank and that rarest of beasts for a non-league fan, an all seater stadium. The ground's 10,000 capacity was not to be tested but it was still a decent atmosphere for the game, helped by the Carshalton choir in fine voice. In true non-league style, the Robins fans stood for the whole game and gave the team their full support and the team repaid them handsomely. Lincoln were clearly fitter and technically more polished but the visitors worked hard at closing their opponents early and denying space in central areas. The longer the match went on the more confident we got, reaching half time well in control of the game. The friendly stewards praised us for coming and putting on a real show whilst bemoaning their own sides inconsistency and lack of confidence.
In truth the game was hardly a classic, with Nick Hamann rarely troubled and only shots from distance by Vines and Hamici ever threatening the Imps goal, but as the home support started to vocalise their displeasure we became more comfortable.
"Shoes off if you love the Robs" sang the choir as several dozen cheesy pairs of trainers were thrust towards the darkening sky and as even as the referee somehow added five minutes of injury time (there had hardly been a stoppage all game and only one caution) we carried on singing. The players were out on their feet but still they threw themselves into challenges to deny the Imps any space or time to play. Special mentions to Kieron Murphy and Craig Tanner who both came into the team covering absentees Ray and Davis whilst new loan signing Reece Jones also impressed but the MotM for me was Justyn Roberts who led the rearguard action superbly.
Finally the referee blew for full time and although we hadn't won, and whatever the result in the replay on Tuesday, both players and supporters had done the name of Carshalton proud.
In my excited state, I clean forgot to look for the club shop; I'm sure there was one but a quick look on their website shows I have a choice of two club pens, so I think I'll order me the one below and award them 9/10, deducting a mark because on the internet you can't check to see if it works :-)
Total score 24 and we have a new leader for the season!
Sunday 8 January 2012
You may feel a small prick - Bury Town 2 - 0 Carshalton Athletic
Fantastic news! Things are getting better at Carshalton Athletic. Last season we lost three nil at Bury Town, this year we lost two nil. Undeniable improvement. Well done everyone.
That's the good news, the bad news is that this performance from the Robins was as anaemic as any I've seen this year as they stretched the streak to five games without a win. We visit Aveley on Monday night, who have lost their last five games and three points is a must to maintain a respectable gap from the relegation places ahead of our Trophy trip to Lincoln.
So what of Bury? The train journey, sans velos, was pleasant enough and Bury St Edmonds itself is a gem of a town. We found the elegant Harriets Tearooms (http://www.harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/) where the waiting staff wear traditional period uniforms and the food is resolutely English. A jolly spiffing time was had by all and the bangers and mash with two slices of bread and butter earns Harriets a 9/10.
Dipre: "Prick."
*Gasps from assembled fans in stand*
Mr Dipre clearly channelled some of his aggression into the half time team talk because the second period performance was slightly better, espcially when Ricardo Joseph came on and allowed Nolan to push forward. Dean McDonald also showed some nice touches as usual, but is still looking far short of being ready to actually start a football match.
A visit to the club shop produced a decent pen in club colours, very reasonably priced at 50p and it came with the usual helpful "check to see if it works". Tremendous. 9/10
Match score 2/10 plus one for extra prickage.
Total for Bury 21/30
Season so far:
Hastings 23
Bury 21
Margate 17.5
Canvey 16
Concord 0
Maldon -1
Post script
I have documented elsewhere (see my post 19th August) what fantastic things Paul Dipre has done for the football club in terms of youth and junior teams and developing the club in a modern and business-like manner. However, as first team manager, with a lack of experience at this level and seeming endless ability to upset people, I think we would be better served by him stepping aside and appointing a dedicated manager who is allowed to get on with the job of advancing this expensively-assembled squad to the next level whilst Mr Dipre runs the business and develops the club as he has proved he can do.
Some Carshalton fans may disagree with me and I respect their right to do so, unreservedly. Please be clear I am not calling for a campaign of abuse against Mr Dipre or the club. I want all Carshalton fans to get behind the club and celebrate its success, but I can't see that success coming with the present manager in charge.
There, I've said it.
That's the good news, the bad news is that this performance from the Robins was as anaemic as any I've seen this year as they stretched the streak to five games without a win. We visit Aveley on Monday night, who have lost their last five games and three points is a must to maintain a respectable gap from the relegation places ahead of our Trophy trip to Lincoln.
So what of Bury? The train journey, sans velos, was pleasant enough and Bury St Edmonds itself is a gem of a town. We found the elegant Harriets Tearooms (http://www.harrietscafetearooms.co.uk/) where the waiting staff wear traditional period uniforms and the food is resolutely English. A jolly spiffing time was had by all and the bangers and mash with two slices of bread and butter earns Harriets a 9/10.
On, via a swift half in the Nutshell, the smallest pub in Britian apparently, to Ram Meadow and another dreadful Robins performance with no team spirit, a total of two attempts on goal and any number of players doing the bare minimum to pick up their bloated pay cheques.
The details will be available elsewhere but suffice to say that Bury barely got out of first gear and were first to every ball and won pretty much every challenge; Tom Davis was booked again and Luke Nolan looked much happier when he was pushed up to right midfield.
A special mention to supporter Gary Chadwick who was the only fan on the players / officials coach and he cut a rather lonely figure behind the goal. He still outsang the Bury fans though! Those Robins officials in the small stand were treated to a small amount of drama at half time when the charming Carshalton manager/owner Paul Dipre was involved in the following exchange with one of the few fans who had made their way to Bury:
Robins supporter: "Are you learning, Dipre?"
*Dipre stares at fan*
Robins supporter: "You'll get better."Dipre: "Prick."
*Gasps from assembled fans in stand*
Mr Dipre clearly channelled some of his aggression into the half time team talk because the second period performance was slightly better, espcially when Ricardo Joseph came on and allowed Nolan to push forward. Dean McDonald also showed some nice touches as usual, but is still looking far short of being ready to actually start a football match.
A visit to the club shop produced a decent pen in club colours, very reasonably priced at 50p and it came with the usual helpful "check to see if it works". Tremendous. 9/10
Match score 2/10 plus one for extra prickage.
Total for Bury 21/30
Season so far:
Hastings 23
Bury 21
Margate 17.5
Canvey 16
Concord 0
Maldon -1
Post script
I have documented elsewhere (see my post 19th August) what fantastic things Paul Dipre has done for the football club in terms of youth and junior teams and developing the club in a modern and business-like manner. However, as first team manager, with a lack of experience at this level and seeming endless ability to upset people, I think we would be better served by him stepping aside and appointing a dedicated manager who is allowed to get on with the job of advancing this expensively-assembled squad to the next level whilst Mr Dipre runs the business and develops the club as he has proved he can do.
Some Carshalton fans may disagree with me and I respect their right to do so, unreservedly. Please be clear I am not calling for a campaign of abuse against Mr Dipre or the club. I want all Carshalton fans to get behind the club and celebrate its success, but I can't see that success coming with the present manager in charge.
There, I've said it.
Friday 9 December 2011
Catch-up
A thousand apologies to my legion of loyal readers in blogland who I have severely neglected over the last two months. When I tell you that I can no longer recommend BT as a provider of internet services, I think you will start to understand.
Anyway, you didn't come here to read about my petty problems, you came to hear about the mighty Robins. My last update was after a rather fluky win at Margate put us in 13th spot in the Ryman Premier and an undefeated November has seen us scream up the table to 12th, 15 points behind leaders Billericay and 16 points ahead of sad-sacks losers Horsham and Leatherhead.
The football is still not too pretty although the match at Kingstonian was as exciting a game as I've seen all season with the result in doubt until the final kick and both teams slugging it out like a couple of desperate Russian prize fighters.
So for the record:
Saturday 29th October
Concord Rangers 0 - 0 Carshalton Athletic
I know several of my fellow Robins fans are religious and begging their pardons, but Jesus.
I mean Jesus. Two trips to Canvey Island in the space of six weeks and this time we had the added joy of Benfleet station being closed so we cycled from Rayleigh, a distance of seven million miles, all uphill and into the wind. Both ways. And the game was shit. Really, really shit.
Looking back on the match from the distance of a month and a half I can't remember anything about a dull nil nil draw except for an appalling smell from the sewage works behind one goal. This is not a good sign.
I think this picture captures the beauty of the scene rather well. And yes, those are caravans, holiday chalets possibly, overlooking one side of the ground; in fact the side of the ground that I had to vacate as the nauseating sewage-smell descended.
The high point of the trip was the chance to visit the Labworth Cafe again and it didn't disappoint. Lunch mark 9/10 but the match gets a 1/10 for a shitty smell and there wasn't even a club shop to ask if they stocked a pen so I can award our first minus score of the season;
-10/10
Total trip score a new low of 0/30. Impressive and we hope their present poor form continues into relegation. Bah.
Saturday 26th November
Maldon & Tiptree 0 - 1 Carshalton Athletic
A bumper crowd of 72 were drawn to Essex for this FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round game, including, as always, the Robins Cycle Crew. We travelled by train to Witham and had an enjoyable ride through pleasant countryside to Maldon. The slightly twee tearooms we lunched in were honest enough and the overall impression of Maldon was of a decent place going about its business in a pleasant enough way. Well done everyone. Lunch mark 7/10.
The ground, however, was not particularly nice. The biting wind came whistling through the stand which was not equipped with sides and there wasn't any other elevation in the ground. The game, of course, was pretty dire. I don't recall so many Carshalton fans being so negative about a performance as they were at half time of this match. It was nil nil at the time but Maldon are a league below us, had conceded nine goals in their last two games and had just sacked their manager who took several players with him. We were poor and it was only a bullet header from a typically fired-up David Ray that saved us from embarrassment. One bright point has been the emergence of Luke Nolan who has turned in committed and consistent performances in a number of positions over the last couple of months - an excellent prospect.
Mark for the match; 2/10, just because we won, but the lack of a club shop again means no club pen and another minus 10/10.
Total score; a new low of -1/30!
Incidentally if you are so inclined, I would recommend signing up to Twitter, not least to follow me (@carshaltonath), but also to follow our leader himself @pauldipre. As you would expect there have been some 'incidents' already.
Full story here:
http://suttonunited.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=4203
(warning: contains Sutton United)
Several Carshalton players are also on twitter and they sometimes provide interesting insights into the club. For instance this tweet from Francis Quarm @fquarm:
"Neva thought I'd be getting paid to sit at home in my non league career! 1st for everything!"
Anyway, you didn't come here to read about my petty problems, you came to hear about the mighty Robins. My last update was after a rather fluky win at Margate put us in 13th spot in the Ryman Premier and an undefeated November has seen us scream up the table to 12th, 15 points behind leaders Billericay and 16 points ahead of sad-sacks losers Horsham and Leatherhead.
The football is still not too pretty although the match at Kingstonian was as exciting a game as I've seen all season with the result in doubt until the final kick and both teams slugging it out like a couple of desperate Russian prize fighters.
So for the record:
Saturday 29th October
Concord Rangers 0 - 0 Carshalton Athletic
I know several of my fellow Robins fans are religious and begging their pardons, but Jesus.
I mean Jesus. Two trips to Canvey Island in the space of six weeks and this time we had the added joy of Benfleet station being closed so we cycled from Rayleigh, a distance of seven million miles, all uphill and into the wind. Both ways. And the game was shit. Really, really shit.
Looking back on the match from the distance of a month and a half I can't remember anything about a dull nil nil draw except for an appalling smell from the sewage works behind one goal. This is not a good sign.
I think this picture captures the beauty of the scene rather well. And yes, those are caravans, holiday chalets possibly, overlooking one side of the ground; in fact the side of the ground that I had to vacate as the nauseating sewage-smell descended.
The high point of the trip was the chance to visit the Labworth Cafe again and it didn't disappoint. Lunch mark 9/10 but the match gets a 1/10 for a shitty smell and there wasn't even a club shop to ask if they stocked a pen so I can award our first minus score of the season;
-10/10
Total trip score a new low of 0/30. Impressive and we hope their present poor form continues into relegation. Bah.
Saturday 26th November
Maldon & Tiptree 0 - 1 Carshalton Athletic
A bumper crowd of 72 were drawn to Essex for this FA Trophy 3rd qualifying round game, including, as always, the Robins Cycle Crew. We travelled by train to Witham and had an enjoyable ride through pleasant countryside to Maldon. The slightly twee tearooms we lunched in were honest enough and the overall impression of Maldon was of a decent place going about its business in a pleasant enough way. Well done everyone. Lunch mark 7/10.
The ground, however, was not particularly nice. The biting wind came whistling through the stand which was not equipped with sides and there wasn't any other elevation in the ground. The game, of course, was pretty dire. I don't recall so many Carshalton fans being so negative about a performance as they were at half time of this match. It was nil nil at the time but Maldon are a league below us, had conceded nine goals in their last two games and had just sacked their manager who took several players with him. We were poor and it was only a bullet header from a typically fired-up David Ray that saved us from embarrassment. One bright point has been the emergence of Luke Nolan who has turned in committed and consistent performances in a number of positions over the last couple of months - an excellent prospect.
Mark for the match; 2/10, just because we won, but the lack of a club shop again means no club pen and another minus 10/10.
Total score; a new low of -1/30!
Incidentally if you are so inclined, I would recommend signing up to Twitter, not least to follow me (@carshaltonath), but also to follow our leader himself @pauldipre. As you would expect there have been some 'incidents' already.
Full story here:
http://suttonunited.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=4203
(warning: contains Sutton United)
Several Carshalton players are also on twitter and they sometimes provide interesting insights into the club. For instance this tweet from Francis Quarm @fquarm:
"Neva thought I'd be getting paid to sit at home in my non league career! 1st for everything!"
Which may be explained by an earlier Tweet:
"Ephesians 6:12"
I'll leave you to reach for your bibles and work out what all that's about. See ya.
Saturday 15 October 2011
A social study - Margate 0 - 1 Carshalton Athletic
Three points for Carshalton is the bare fact from this game, but how Margate managed not to post a cricket score will puzzle everyone inside Hartsdown Park yesterday.
However the real story in Thanet yesterday was to be found in a couple of slices of life the Robins Zyklusgruppen witnessed on the way to the game. The first was on the train when a young woman and her six month old baby boarded and then gave us an interesting insight into her life as she berated the unfortunate father of her child for neglecting his responsibilities ("you facking have her, you never facking have her.") and then questioning his choice of partners the previous evening ("she's a facking slag, she's forty years old you dirty ......."). The poor boy's name was Eli and my heart goes out to him. I hope her threat to "rip his facking arms and legs off" hasn't come true; I bet he's regretting that brief moment of passion now.
This little vignette was echoed at the match later when a violent matrimonial dispute occurred between a middle-aged couple; initially face to face by the burger van and then through a locked gate once the male party had been escorted from the ground.
After our encounter on the train, our trip improved by a visit to my favourite cafe in all the world, Oscar's Festival Cafe in Broadstairs.
It's cramped and the menu's limited but the tea comes in teapots with cosies and china cups and the food is all home-cooked. If you want egg and chips this isn't the place for you but the world is defintely a better place for this cafe. Lunch mark, just pipping Canvey's Labworth cafe: 9.5/10.
A breezy and undulating ride from Broadstairs to Margate served to burn off the huge slices of Black Forest Gateau and we arrived at Hartsdown Park well satisfied. This ground always puzzles me, a club of Margate's size with a recent history of conference football should be playing in a much better stadium and they are in the process of sorting out planning permission. Until the building work the it remains undeveloped and unsatisfying as a viewing platform.
The one bit that is developed is behind one goal and this contains a bit of terrace, a bar and the club offices which include a shop. My request for a club pen was met with genuine enthusiasm and the pen scores a reasonable 8/10, in club colours but expensive at a quid. It even writes, which can't be taken for granted.
Total - 17.5 out of 30
However the real story in Thanet yesterday was to be found in a couple of slices of life the Robins Zyklusgruppen witnessed on the way to the game. The first was on the train when a young woman and her six month old baby boarded and then gave us an interesting insight into her life as she berated the unfortunate father of her child for neglecting his responsibilities ("you facking have her, you never facking have her.") and then questioning his choice of partners the previous evening ("she's a facking slag, she's forty years old you dirty ......."). The poor boy's name was Eli and my heart goes out to him. I hope her threat to "rip his facking arms and legs off" hasn't come true; I bet he's regretting that brief moment of passion now.
This little vignette was echoed at the match later when a violent matrimonial dispute occurred between a middle-aged couple; initially face to face by the burger van and then through a locked gate once the male party had been escorted from the ground.
After our encounter on the train, our trip improved by a visit to my favourite cafe in all the world, Oscar's Festival Cafe in Broadstairs.
It's cramped and the menu's limited but the tea comes in teapots with cosies and china cups and the food is all home-cooked. If you want egg and chips this isn't the place for you but the world is defintely a better place for this cafe. Lunch mark, just pipping Canvey's Labworth cafe: 9.5/10.
A breezy and undulating ride from Broadstairs to Margate served to burn off the huge slices of Black Forest Gateau and we arrived at Hartsdown Park well satisfied. This ground always puzzles me, a club of Margate's size with a recent history of conference football should be playing in a much better stadium and they are in the process of sorting out planning permission. Until the building work the it remains undeveloped and unsatisfying as a viewing platform.
The one bit that is developed is behind one goal and this contains a bit of terrace, a bar and the club offices which include a shop. My request for a club pen was met with genuine enthusiasm and the pen scores a reasonable 8/10, in club colours but expensive at a quid. It even writes, which can't be taken for granted.
Onto the game itself - it was pretty dire, with Margate on top and creating chances at will. They lacked belief in front of goal and the longer the game went on, the more desperate they became. As often happens, the Robins scored a goal against the run of play; a weird shot hooked back goalward by Vines and headed into his own goal by a Margate defender.
Carshalton took the points but that was the minor event in the day. At the moment the football is the worst part about supporting Carshalton. Match score 4/10.
Saturday 3 September 2011
My own personal Everest - Hastings Utd 0 - 2 Carshalton Athletic
I'd been thinking about this game for months. A couple of seasons ago the game at Hastings had been a fairly dispiriting 3-1 loss but it also marked the low point of my cycling / football career; I was beaten, beaten by the hill up to the Pilot Field and, for shame, had to get off my bike and push. I blush with shame at the memory but today was my chance to exorcise that ghost.
Bexhill was our choice for lunch and the peloton descended on the fantastic De La Warr Pavilion on the seafront in the hope of another art deco-inspired cafe. The building looked fantastic in the sun and when the refurbishment of the terrace area is complete it will be an amazing place to visit. However, it couldn't offer us much in the way of food so we adjourned over the road to one of the many cafes lining the seafront.
Lunch mark: 7/10 - food pretty good but it lost marks for the ordinariness of the surroundings and suffered from not being in the Pavilion.
Refuelled, we cycled along the coast road to Hastings until I came face to face with the beast that defeated me two years earlier. I got my head down, stood up in the pedals and attacked it. Halfway up the hill, the road bends round to the left and until then you can't see the top of the hill. That's what did for me previously; the sight of another two hundred yards of hill was too much but this time I was ready for it. Rounding it now I felt good. A glance at my rear gears told me I still had three cogs to click down on if needed but every push got me closer to the top. My lungs were screaming and my thighs knew they were in a fight but suddenly I was there; the road flattened out and the burning in my legs stopped. True, I had to lean on a handy lamp-post for a second and I'm pretty sure that if I'd had to go for a few more yards I would've blacked out, but I had made it. I had beaten that hill.
Moments later the peloton, all older than me, pedalled past waving cheerily. Curses.
Having gained the polka dot jersey in the Tour de Hastings, I scored another notable victory in the club shop - a pen! Only 50p and tastefully embossed with not only the club name but the web address as well, it even wrote beautifully first time out. Pen mark 8/10 - loses marks for not being in club colours but a fantastic effort all the same.
On arrival at the ground our match reporter, Peter Randall, had realised that his bag wasn't on the back of his bike so he retraced his steps eventually finding it on the wall of the De La Warr Pavilion where it had been left an hour or so previously, a fine testament to the honest folk of Bexhill. The following report is therefore by me rather than Peter, I'm afraid refunds are not available.
Saturday 3rd September
Hastings United (0) 0 - 2 (1) Carshalton Athletic
McDonald (16, 49)
Att 431
The sides went into this game with identical records; won one, drew one and lost two but the clubs expectations for the season are very different. Carshalton have spent heavily and attracted big names to their promotion-seeking squad whereas Hastings, alledgedly, are not paying players this season and are relying heavily on young players. I would imagine their target is to stay in the division.
On non-league day, a decent crowd gathered at a sunny Pilot Field and Hastings' youngsters started the game strongly with some slick passing but little penetration. On 16 minutes in pretty much Carshalton's first attacking foray, Dean McDonald was fouled as he ran at the defence and he picked himself up to take the free kick himself, some twenty yards from goal. His strong shot hit the defensive wall and Lloyd Anderson in the Hastings goal was wrongfooted and could only paw the ball in the net. 0-1 Carshalton.
There were some tasty challenges in the midfield and on 20 minutes Tom Davis was booked, an important moment in the game as minutes later the same player went down under a challenge in the penalty area and the referee (who, of course, was being assessed) produced a second yellow for simulation and sent Davis off. Bugger.
However, Carshalton supporters' worries proved unfounded as Hastings couldn't rouse themselves and in fact the Robins ended the half strongly as Craig Tanner drove forward and supplied Vines whose shot was blocked for a corner.
At the start of the second half Ricardo Joseph replaced Dean Lodge as Carshalton reorganised their ten men but they continued to move the ball well. On 49 minutes Billy Crook jinked down the right and pulled the ball back to McDonald who turned smartly and beat the defenders and keeper with a low shot. Hastings 0 - 2 Carshalton.
Robins keeper Nick Hamann was forced into rare action minutes later when Kenny Pogue connected with a volley from distance but the shot was turned over for a corner. Hastings' Dan Bowell suffered a nasty looking leg injury and was stretchered off, one of a number of late substitutuions but the pattern of the game was unchanged with Carshalton comfortable in possession. McDonald had a late chance for his hat trick as Anthony Joseph set him up but the striker's stabbed shot was held by Anderson.
Carshalton team: Hamann, Murphy, Tanner (Kamara), Ray, Roberts, Quarm, Crook, Davis, Vines (Joseph A), Lodge (Joseph R), McDonald
Subs. Ledgister, Chalmers-Stevens
Match experience score: 8/10. Managed to get to the ground without getting off my bike, excellent atmosphere from the travelling Robins and good views from the big grandstand.
Total - 23 out of 30 and we have a target for other trips this season.
Bexhill was our choice for lunch and the peloton descended on the fantastic De La Warr Pavilion on the seafront in the hope of another art deco-inspired cafe. The building looked fantastic in the sun and when the refurbishment of the terrace area is complete it will be an amazing place to visit. However, it couldn't offer us much in the way of food so we adjourned over the road to one of the many cafes lining the seafront.
Lunch mark: 7/10 - food pretty good but it lost marks for the ordinariness of the surroundings and suffered from not being in the Pavilion.
Refuelled, we cycled along the coast road to Hastings until I came face to face with the beast that defeated me two years earlier. I got my head down, stood up in the pedals and attacked it. Halfway up the hill, the road bends round to the left and until then you can't see the top of the hill. That's what did for me previously; the sight of another two hundred yards of hill was too much but this time I was ready for it. Rounding it now I felt good. A glance at my rear gears told me I still had three cogs to click down on if needed but every push got me closer to the top. My lungs were screaming and my thighs knew they were in a fight but suddenly I was there; the road flattened out and the burning in my legs stopped. True, I had to lean on a handy lamp-post for a second and I'm pretty sure that if I'd had to go for a few more yards I would've blacked out, but I had made it. I had beaten that hill.
Moments later the peloton, all older than me, pedalled past waving cheerily. Curses.
Having gained the polka dot jersey in the Tour de Hastings, I scored another notable victory in the club shop - a pen! Only 50p and tastefully embossed with not only the club name but the web address as well, it even wrote beautifully first time out. Pen mark 8/10 - loses marks for not being in club colours but a fantastic effort all the same.
On arrival at the ground our match reporter, Peter Randall, had realised that his bag wasn't on the back of his bike so he retraced his steps eventually finding it on the wall of the De La Warr Pavilion where it had been left an hour or so previously, a fine testament to the honest folk of Bexhill. The following report is therefore by me rather than Peter, I'm afraid refunds are not available.
Saturday 3rd September
Hastings United (0) 0 - 2 (1) Carshalton Athletic
McDonald (16, 49)
Att 431
The sides went into this game with identical records; won one, drew one and lost two but the clubs expectations for the season are very different. Carshalton have spent heavily and attracted big names to their promotion-seeking squad whereas Hastings, alledgedly, are not paying players this season and are relying heavily on young players. I would imagine their target is to stay in the division.
On non-league day, a decent crowd gathered at a sunny Pilot Field and Hastings' youngsters started the game strongly with some slick passing but little penetration. On 16 minutes in pretty much Carshalton's first attacking foray, Dean McDonald was fouled as he ran at the defence and he picked himself up to take the free kick himself, some twenty yards from goal. His strong shot hit the defensive wall and Lloyd Anderson in the Hastings goal was wrongfooted and could only paw the ball in the net. 0-1 Carshalton.
There were some tasty challenges in the midfield and on 20 minutes Tom Davis was booked, an important moment in the game as minutes later the same player went down under a challenge in the penalty area and the referee (who, of course, was being assessed) produced a second yellow for simulation and sent Davis off. Bugger.
However, Carshalton supporters' worries proved unfounded as Hastings couldn't rouse themselves and in fact the Robins ended the half strongly as Craig Tanner drove forward and supplied Vines whose shot was blocked for a corner.
At the start of the second half Ricardo Joseph replaced Dean Lodge as Carshalton reorganised their ten men but they continued to move the ball well. On 49 minutes Billy Crook jinked down the right and pulled the ball back to McDonald who turned smartly and beat the defenders and keeper with a low shot. Hastings 0 - 2 Carshalton.
Robins keeper Nick Hamann was forced into rare action minutes later when Kenny Pogue connected with a volley from distance but the shot was turned over for a corner. Hastings' Dan Bowell suffered a nasty looking leg injury and was stretchered off, one of a number of late substitutuions but the pattern of the game was unchanged with Carshalton comfortable in possession. McDonald had a late chance for his hat trick as Anthony Joseph set him up but the striker's stabbed shot was held by Anderson.
Carshalton team: Hamann, Murphy, Tanner (Kamara), Ray, Roberts, Quarm, Crook, Davis, Vines (Joseph A), Lodge (Joseph R), McDonald
Subs. Ledgister, Chalmers-Stevens
Match experience score: 8/10. Managed to get to the ground without getting off my bike, excellent atmosphere from the travelling Robins and good views from the big grandstand.
Total - 23 out of 30 and we have a target for other trips this season.
Sunday 21 August 2011
Treasure Island - Canvey Island 1 - 2 Carshalton Athletic
So, a new season and first up for the Robins is a trip to the seaside. The journey for the Robins peleton was straightforward but the ride from Benfleet station across to the island is pretty depressing but in beautiful late summer sun even the dubious delights of Canvey looked mildly inviting. However, the secret of any trip to this part of the world is the fantastic Labworth cafe on the seafront just a short walk from the Park Lane ground.
Saturday 20 August
Ryman League Premier Division
(Dobinson 17) ((McDonald (pen) 24, Vines 74)
Attendance: 402
Canvey away for the season’s opening game was sure to provide a stiff test for Paul Dipre’s new look Robins, so to leave the island with the points was definitely a result in every respect. The re-appearance in goal of German legend, Nick Hamann, was a welcome surprise and, even without the services of Kieran Murphy and Laurent Hamici, this was a fairly impressive starting line-up.
Dean Lodge looked lively in the opening exchanges, something he continued to do throughout the game, and his skill and pace saw him twice come close to breaking through the Island defence early in the game. At the other end, Hamann produced a good save from Danny Heale’s free-kick following David Ray’s handball. The quality of the Robins players in possession was plain to see, but first priority is to win the ball and a failure to do this presented Alex Rhodes with a golden chance to put the home team ahead. Hamann was relieved to see his weak shot pass wide of the post, but on 17 minutes the Robins were punished when Kevin Dobinson picked up the ball just inside the Carshalton half and was allowed to advance unchallenged to the edge of the area before beating Hamann with a low shot. It could have been worse, but fortunately Heale’s fine volley two minutes later flew just over. Carshalton finally seemed to get the message, starting to probe the Gulls defence, and on 24 minutes the scores were level. Dean McDonald’s clever pass found Lodge on the left side of the area, only for the Robins debutant to have his ankles clipped by Michael Alaile. Dean McDonald’s penalty gave James Russell no chance and the Robins continued to press for the remainder of the first half, but without creating another clear chance.
The sun came out for the start of the second half and both teams were slow to get into their stride. Canvey had been forced to work hardest to stay on terms at the break and the question became whether the Robins extra quality would be enough to enable them to press on for the win that looked to be there for the taking the longer the game went on. A quarter of an hour into the half Lodge fed the ball to Paul Vines and the striker’s attempt to curl this shot around Russell and into the far corner was only just wide. With 20 minutes remaining Tom Davis came on in substitute and the midfield settled down to look more comfortable for the rest of the game. Rob King served up a reminder that Canvey were still in the game with a shot on the right that sailed too high to trouble Hamann and on 74 minutes the Robins edged in front when Vines passed the ball through Russell’s leg into the net, Lodge again being the supplier. Canvey were left to chase the game and switched to a more direct style that rarely troubled the Carshalton defence. Vines had a half chance to increase the lead, but his clever attempt to chip the ball over Russell was held by the goalkeeper at full stretch. Ledgister came on for McDonald late in the game and it looked as though Canvey were a spent force, but Carshalton survived a late scare when substitute Ellis Skidmore grazed the bar with a close range header.
Carshalton team; Nick Hamann , Michael Kamara, Ricardo Joseph, Craig Tanner, David Ray, Justyn Roberts, Billy Crook, Francis Quarm (Tom Davis), Paul Vines, Dean McDonald (Joel Ledgister), Dean Lodge
Subs not used; Scott Chalmers-Stevens, Anthony Joseph
Match experience: a good ground with a good views, cover and a bit of atmosphere, although the home fans were quiet, especially in the second half. Decent singing by the Robs travelling support though, so 7 out of 10.
Total score for Canvey: 16 out of 30 - a working CIFC pen in the shop and we'd've had a good early pace setter.
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