An exciting performance saw us ease past a spirited Horsham side on Saturday, writes James Barrett.
Team news: There was a debut for the returning Ryan Gondoh in place of Sekou Kaba, while other new signing Joseph Debayo was named among the substitutes.
And we made a cracking start to proceedings as Rio Davidson-Phipps was picked out by a pinpoint 50 yard pass by Jordan Hibbert. The full back neatly took the pass down, cut inside his marker and crashed an 18 yard shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
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| Stunner: Tommy congratulates Rio |
This lively tempo was sustained by both sides as they swapped attacks and tackles, with Omar Folkes and Mickel Miller combining to almost set up Tommy Bradford during one flowing move.
Peter Adeniyi went on a trademark slalom on 20 minutes and, after going past two opponents, Scott Harris decided wrapping his arms around the ball from a prone position was the only way to stop our man - he was duly booked.
And the Horsham number 4 was lucky not to receive a second yellow after he scythed down Gondoh 20 yards from goal, but Bradford made him pay by curling the free kick right into the top right corner.
Horsham's Alfie Rogers got between our centre backs three minutes later but Tupper stayed big and saved his shot from a clear position.
But the visitors were given a spot-kick on 36 minutes as Paris Hamilton-Downes' arm got in the way of a Gaskin flick inside our six yard box and Kirkwood smashed it home.
The visitors then decided to make two substitutions - Harris seemed obviously due to his troublesome booking but why Oliver Gill was hauled off was anyone's guess.
Gondoh, thoroughly impressive throughout the game, saw a 20 yard free kick narrowly fly over the crossbar on 43 minutes, but we did restore our two-goal advantage before the break.
As Horsham were dozing,Folkes took a quick free kick and Adeniyi sent the ball on to the unmarked Bradford whom beat the weak hand of Josh Pelling with a firm low shot.
HALF-TIME: 3 - 1
Horsham began the second-half brightly by forcing a couple of corners, but our first real pressure on their goal saw Gondoh break free into the box but, instead of electing to shot, he mis-directed a pass towards the unsuspecting Folkes and it ran harmlessly out of play.
The midfielder did tee up Bradford on 52 minutes however and he sealed his hat-trick with a curled shot from just inside the Hornet's area.
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| A 'five star' performance! |
Debayo came on for his debut just after the hour, while Bradford did well to stretch and send a cross in on 68 minutes but Pelling was equal to Folkes' soft header.
Our striker did get on the score sheet not long afterwards though as Gondoh threaded a pass through for Miller and he eventually pulled the ball back for Folkes to sidefoot his fourth goal since joining us last month.
More photos from the game can be viewed here.
Match highlights will soon be available via robins.tv
Next up: We travel to Ramsgate on Saturday 11th February before Cray Wanderers visit us on Saturday 18th February.
Carahalton Athletic: Tupper; Healy (Debayo - 66), Morath-Gibbs, Hamilton-Downes (c), Davidson-Phipps; Gondoh (Aikhionbare - 80), Adeniyi, Hibbert, Miller; Bradford, Folkes (Phillips - 74)
Unused subs: Kaba, Sobowale
Goals: Davidson-Phipps (3), Bradford (26, 45, 52), Folkes (71)
Assists: Hibbert, Gondoh (2), Adeniyi, Miller
Booked: Gondoh
Horsham: Pelling, Metcalfe, Farmer, Harris (Clark - 37), Jones (c), Hyde, Kirkwood, Gill (Branford - 37), Gaskin, Rogers, Boswell (Nwachukwu - 74)
Unused subs: Lawley, Hunt
Goal: Kirkwood (36 p)
Booked: Harris, Kirkwood
Attendance: 334
Our Man of the Match: Tommy Bradford