Monday 4 December 2017

Match report - Cray Wanderers (h)

It ended honours even as a first goal of the season by Danny Dudley meant we drew 1-1 with visiting Cray Wanderers, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


Team news
Paris Hamilton-Downes returned from injury to make his first start in over a month, while Peter Adeniyi came in for Omar Koroma whom went back to his parent club after the Walton Casuals victory.

Kick-off
We started brightly and a couple of early Jordan Cheadle free kicks caused panic inside the visitors' area, but we just couldn't capitalise.

But the first big talking point of the game came in the 21st minute - Aaron Rhule burst onto a ball into our box and, as our captain cut across to cover, the forward went down seemingly under the touch of Bobby Price.

It seemed harsh but, after 19-goal Michael Power put the ball on the spot, Alex Kozakis brilliantly sprung low to his right to palm the ball away.

We had a penalty shout of our own on 37 minutes as Raheem Sterling-Parker tried to make some room in their box and appeared to be bundled over, but the referee waved play on.

But there was another spot-kick awarded before the break and it frustratingly went to Cray on 44 minutes - Hamilton-Downes tugged at Brandon Scott's shirt as the winger tried to latch onto a through ball. It was Kozakis vs Power again but this time the striker converted from 12 yards.

HALF-TIME: 0 - 1

Thankfully we didn't have to wait too long after the break before we got back on level terms.

We forced a corner on 51 minutes which was only half-cleared to the edge where Cheadle fired in shot that was blocked. Hamilton-Downes just flicked the ball back up into the mix and Dudley stole in unmarked to head the ball across Nick Blue and in.

Cray responded quickly by winning a corner two minutes later but Kalvin Morath-Gibbs was on hand to knock a header on target off the line with Kozakis stranded.

We went up the other end and Ricky Korboa threaded a neat ball for Miller to chase. It tempted Blue to rush out and challenge our leading scorer on the edge of the area and the tackle was enough to force Miller out wide. He eventually dug out a deep cross that Adeniyi met with a side-volley but Blue had recovered to gather.

The pair swapped roles on 68 minutes as we defended a long throw into our box and Adeniyi strode out with the ball. He eventually swiped an audacious 60 yard pass into the run of Miller whom got beyond his marker and neatly took it into his stride, but Blue blocked away his angled effort.

Korboa won a free kick on 72 minutes that was on the near side about 20 yards out. Cheadle shaped to knock a delivery into the waiting pack but went for goal instead, forcing Blue into a full stretch save.

Neither side could force a further breakthrough so the point kept us above our visitors and in third place in the league.

Match highlights and Robins Fans TV now available via robins.tv

Next up
We travel to Molesey on Friday 8th December before Lewes come to Colston Avenue on Monday 11th December.

Carshalton Athletic: Kozakis; Price (c), Dudley, Morath-Gibbs, Cheadle; Miller, Aziaya, Adeniyi, Hamilton-Downes, Korboa; Sterling-Parker
Unused subs: J Phillips, Healy, Cave, McLaughlin, Elsom
Goal: Dudley (51)
Assist: Hamilton-Downes
Booked: Price, Hamilton-Downes

Cray Wanderers: Blue, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Dawson (c), Henry, Frieter, Power, Rhule (Lawrence - 87), Scott (Frederico - 80)
Unused subs: Parker, Carpenter, Evans
Goal: Power (45 pen)
Booked: Williams, Dawson

Attendance: 343
Current league position: 3rd