Tuesday 29 August 2017

Match report - Corinthian Casuals (a)

It turned into a very profitable Bank Holiday weekend as we built on our win against Shoreham with victory at Corinthian Casuals, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news
Mickel Miller and Peter Adeniyi came in for Michael Campbell and Mekhail McLaughlin from Saturday.

It was another scorching hot day and we had to do things the hard way as Casuals took a 20th minute lead through a Daniel Cunningham header.

But we levelled before the break in a carbon copy of our third goal on Saturday - Raheem Sterling-Parker drew a foul inside the opposition area and Jordan Cheadle converted the spot-kick.

HALF-TIME: 1 - 1

And there were also shades of our second against Shoreham as we took the lead not long after the restart - this time a Tommy Bradford corner was met by the head of Mickel Miller whom plundered his second of the season.

And our tricky forward extended our lead 12 minutes later as Ola Sogbanmu won the ball in midfield before Bradford shifted it out to Miller whom passed three players on his way into the box before beating Bracken low at the near post.

But we weren't done as Casuals' Ben Cheklit tripped over his own feet with the ball by the centre circle on 65 minutes. Bradford picked up the pieces and eventually played Sterling-Parker in behind the defence and he fired in his first goal as a Robin to make it 4-1.

Cunningham grabbed his second of the game with 20 minutes to go, following in a shot by Dos Santos that proved too hot to handle for Ossai, but we held on for consecutive seasonal wins at King George's Field as our keeper atoned with two good saves to deny Casuals anymore goals.

Photos from the game are available here.

Next up
It's FA Cup action at Colston Avenue as Pagham visit on Saturday 2nd September. Then Faversham Town arrive on Saturday 9th September.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Price (c), Dudley, Cheadle, Panton; J Phillips (L Phillips - 46), Sogbanmu, Adeniyi, Bradford (McLaughlin - 85), Miller; Sterling-Parker
Unused subs: Murphy-McVey, Healy, Campbell
Goals: Cheadle (41 pen), Miller (51 and 63), Sterling-Parker (65)
Assists: Sterling-Parker, Bradford (2)
Booked: L Phillips

Corinthian Casuals: Bracken, Daly, Byatt, Strange, Ekim, Cheklit (Oldham - 67), Robinson, Mann (Uzun - 84), Cunningham, Dos Santos, Dillon (Odunaike - 81)
Unused subs: Hodges, Hamilton
Goals: Cunningham (20 and 68)
Booked: Mann

Our 'Man of the Match': Mickel Miller
Attendance: 242

Sunday 27 August 2017

Post-match - Danny Dudley

Defender Danny Dudley believes it was our fast start that helped spur us to victory on Saturday, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

After 34 minutes we were two-up and playing against 10 men after visiting Shoreham suffered a red card. We eventually ran out 4-1 winners.

And that kept our unbeaten start to the season intact as we've now registered seven points from our first three games.

"We spoke about wanting to come out the blocks fast and the early goal got us off to a perfect start," said Dudley, whose pass it was that set Raheem Sterling-Parker off down the left before the forward saw his low cross turned into his own net by Shoreham winger Jamie Craddock.

"No game is easy, but it was a hot day so we wanted to keep the ball and wear them down early."

Ola Sogbanmu powerfully headed in a corner to double our lead, then Craddock compounded his miserable afternoon by being sent off for violent conduct.

"We like to keep the ball, move it quickly and have some skilful forwards, so naturally opponents will get frustrated against us," added Dudley.

"The guy lost his head and it's cost his team because it made their job more difficult."

We put ourselves out of sight in the second-half via a Jordan Cheadle penalty and player/manager Peter Adeniyi, meaning Evan Archibald's late consolation only robbed us of a rare clean sheet.

"It was disappointing to concede at the end, I thought the guy's boot was dangerously high on Richard but nothing was given," mused the 26-year old centre back.

Dudley travels to his former club on Bank Holiday Monday, but his mind is focused on doing well for us upon his return to Corinthian Casuals.

"I had a good five years at Casuals and, although I'm sure I'll be in for some stick, it'll be nice to see people again," said Dudley.

"But I'm going there as a Carshalton player and I'm looking for us to get another win under our belts."

Corinthian Casuals vs Carshalton Athletic is on Monday 28th August (KO 3pm).

Saturday 26 August 2017

Match report - Shoreham (h)

It was a comfortable victory against the league newcomers in a game featuring goals, good goalkeeping and a red card, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news
Mekhail McLaughlin, Ola Sogbanmu and Michael Campbell all returned to the starting line-up.

Kick-off
We made a dream start as Danny Dudley ventured forward on three minutes and got Raheem Sterling-Parker away down the left. Our man beat his marker and got along the byline before seeing Jamie Craddock divert his low ball into his own net.

Tommy Bradford then lined one up from 20 yards but he saw his effort bounce just wide of James Broadbent's left upright. Then he and Campbell combined to get Josh Phillips into their box and he knocked a ball across the six yard box. Sogbanmu came onto it at the back post but Broadbent blocked his low shot away.

But our midfielder wasn't to be denied again on 13 minutes - Bradford arched in a corner delivery and Sogbanmu, completely unmarked, powerfully headed the ball in off the crossbar for his first of the season.

Shoreham looked neat on the ball at times but they found our backline, particularly Dudley and Jordan Cheadle, in no mood to be generous while Ricardo Panton foraged forward and almost picked out a run by Campbell, but the ball was a millimetre in front of our forward.

When the visitors did manage to get a glimpse of our goal they also found Richard Ossai wasn't in a charitable mood - our keeper clutching a firm angled drive from 20 yards by Dan Simmonds.

Sogbanmu picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Peter Adeniyi as Shoreham become frustrated, giving away several fouls, until things boiled over on 34 minutes. Craddock went in hard on Phillips, then appeared to kick out at Panton. The original pairing squared up as several players surrounded them, then Craddock turned his attention onto Adeniyi and the referee eventually brandished a straight red card for violent conduct.

We kept on the front foot and Campbell did well to charge down a Broadbent kick as the keeper dithered somewhat on a back pass, but unfortunately the ball flew off target. Then Bradford and Phillips both almost played Sterling-Parker in on goal but the passes just had too much pace on them.

Adeniyi showed some neat footwork to beat two men on his way towards the Shoreham box but a third blocked his pass away on the edge. Phillips picked up the pieces but Broadbent was equal to his angled shot.

And Cheadle was given a chance to fire in a free kick just before the break but his shot just went the wrong side of the near post.

HALF-TIME: 2 - 0

The second-half started with a bang as Sterling-Parker burst through on goal within two minutes and he was up-ended by Broadbent. Cheadle stepped up and calmly beat the keeper from 12 yards for his second goal of the week.

Sub Levi Phillips made an impact shortly after coming on as his cross found Campbell by the penalty spot and he chested it down. Bradford kept the ball alive for his strike partner but he frustratingly shot wide from eight yards.

But Campbell remained a thorn in Shoreham's side as the half wore on; a neat turn and hit from 18 yards had Broadbent sprawling to tip the ball onto his crossbar. We kept the corner alive on the near side and Bradford eventually rolled a pass across the six yard box, but no-one was on hand to turn it in. L Phillips found the advanced Panton but Broadbent kept out his angled shot from the corner of the area.

Campbell took aim again on 61 minutes and this time he beat Broadbent from 20 yards, but the ball cannoned back off the post and L Phillips put the rebound high over the bar.

Then Panton and Bradford combined to get L Phillips away down the right. He held the ball until picking out Campbell with a pullback, but again Broadbent did well to get down and deny our man a first goal since returning to the club.

Broadbent blocked Bradford's close range effort after L Phillips picked him out inside the box on 67 minutes but, with our very next attack, Adeniyi took a Panton pass and slalomed his way through on goal before side-footing the ball across the keeper and into the bottom far corner.

Cheadle came mighty close to his second of the game on 74 minutes but for the fingertips of Broadbent whom tipped over our man's 20 yard free kick.

The game looked to be winding down to its logical conclusion but Shoreham salvaged some pride with three minutes to go - Evan Archibald collided with Ossai as they contested a low cross and the ball - despite the lunge of Dudley who seemed to have cleared it - just crossed the line.

Photos from the game will be available soon.

Match highlights are available via robins.tv

Next up
We go to Corinthian Casuals on Monday 28th August before hosting Pagham in the FA Cup on Saturday 2nd September.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Panton, Dudley, Cheadle, McLaughlin; Price (c) (Healy - 77), Sogbanmu (Adeniyi - 28), Bradford, J Phillips; Campbell, Sterling-Parker (L Phillips - 50)
Unused subs: Miller, Opoku
Goals: Craddock (3 og), Sogbanmu (13), Cheadle (48 pen), Adeniyi (68)
Assists: Sterling-Parker (2), Bradford, Panton

Shoreham: Broadbent, Packer (c), Hand (Caplin - 74), Woodford, Timms (Smith - 66), Gathern, Nazla (Goldson - 49), Simmonds, Archibald, Burton, Craddock
Unused subs: Qaudri
Booked: Nazla
Sent off: Craddock

Our 'Man of the Match': Michael Campbell
Attendance: 195

Wednesday 23 August 2017

Match summary - Walton and Hersham (a - FA Cup replay)

We made it through in the FA Cup after our replay at Stompond Lane went the whole distance, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news: There was a debut for forward Raheem Sterling-Parker while Jordan Cheadle, Ryan Healy and Josh Phillips came into the side. Youth players Reece Cave and Levi Philips were named among the substitutes.

It was a tight encounter across the 90 minutes but we went into the break 1-0 up as Cheadle fired home an angled free kick for his first goal for the club.

HALF-TIME: 0 - 1

David Opoku came on for his first appearance of the season after the break, but our hosts equalised on 48 minutes through Lee Van Sullivan.

Both sides had chances to win it in normal time, but it finished all square and extra-time couldn't separate the two clubs.

We managed to convert our first four penalties - via Bobby Price, Cheadle, Phillips and Ricardo Panton - while Richard Ossai saved one of Walton's.

This meant manager Peter Adeniyi stepped up to send us through with our successful fifth spot-kick.

Photos from the game can be viewed here.

Next up: We host Shoreham on Saturday 26th August before Pagham arrive for our FA Cup first qualifying round clash on Saturday 2nd September.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Price (c), Dudley, Cheadle, Panton; Healy (Opoku - 46), Adeniyi; Bradford, Phillips, Miller (Philips - 59); Sterling-Parker (Campbell - 98)
Unused subs: McLaughlin, Morath-Gibbs, Swaby, Cave
Goal: Cheadle (26)
Booked: Bradford, Healy, Price

Walton & Hersham: Norris, Fenlon, Hornby, Newton, Van Sullivan (c), Thoroughgood, S Benali, Simpson, Okai (Jarraz - 82), Abdul, Nkoma (B Benali - 74)
Unused subs: Johnson, Smart, Witham
Goal: Van Sullivan (48)
Booked: Hornby, Fenlon

Attendance: 148
Our 'Man of the Match': Richard Ossai

Monday 21 August 2017

Post-match - Kalvin Morath-Gibbs

We were the masters of our own downfall after missing the chance to progress in the FA Cup on Saturday, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Walton and Hersham earned a Tuesday night replay after leaving Colston Avenue with a creditable 1-1 draw.

And defender Kalvin Morath-Gibbs, who spectacularly scored our goal in first-half stoppage time, says there can be no room for self-regard second time around.

“The result was tough to take as we created a lot of chances, but they also raised their game and ultimately deserved a replay,” said the 26-year old centre back.

“The management team highlighted that we weren’t perhaps sharp enough mentally and that’s cost us the most. We need to get rid of that complacency and go for the win on Tuesday.”

Despite a sluggish first-half performance, we went into the break one-up on Saturday as Morath-Gibbs acrobatically volleyed in from six yards after Walton failed to clear a corner kick.

But then a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping by visiting keeper Brendan Norris meant Sanchez Benali’s finish during a 76th minute counter-attack was decisive.

“The ball just bounced to me and I just reacted. I’ve not scored many bicycle kicks in my time but it felt nice,” added Morath-Gibbs.

“But it was a shame it didn’t come as part of a win. We know what Walton can offer now so we need to raise our game and try to progress into the next round.”

The replay takes place at Stompond Lane on Tuesday 22nd August, kick-off 7.45pm.

Saturday 19 August 2017

Match report - Walton & Hersham (h - FA Cup)

We have to replay as our first taste of FA Cup action ended in a draw, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news: Brendan Murphy-McVey came in for the absent Jordan Cheadle, while Courtney Swaby and Levi Philips were named among the substitutes.

The visitors started brightly as Jamil Okai got through in the third minute but, with only Richard Ossai to beat, he thrashed a shot horribly wide.

Then Ossai did well to palm away a firm shot by Abdeen Abdul as we struggled to get a firm foot in the game, although Ricardo Panton did venture forward in the ninth minute before shooting weakly at Brendan Norris from a tight angle.

We slowly started to dominate possession but we were coming up against a resolute Walton defence - several attacks were shut down around the edge of their box, while Brendan Murphy-McVey knocked a short free kick to Tommy Bradford on 19 minutes but his shot flew off target.

Danny Dudley made an advance a couple minutes later and eventually curled a cross in from the right, but Michael Campbell volleyed the ball over.

Then Ola Sogbanmu held up a pass inside the Walton area before shepherding it out to Bobby Price, but no-one was on hand to connect with his ball across the six yard box.

Walton were always looking to get quickly forward when they could and Okai reminded us of his threat on 35 minutes - he outmuscled both Dudley and Morath-Gibbs into our area but Ossai stopped the shot at his near post.

But we kept plugging away and eventually broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. A short corner saw Miller get in and chip a ball to the back post. Bradford and then Sogbanmu kept the ball alive as Walton tried to clear and Morath-Gibbs acrobatically volleyed it home from six yards.

HALF-TIME: 1 - 0

We started the brighter in the second-half and Campbell did well to win a high ball before playing Murphy-McVey in. He beat his marker but Norris saved his low shot with his legs. Miller then put the loose ball wide from 18 yards.

Both keepers comfortably saved shots straight at them as the game ebbed and flowed - Miller was also denied by Norris, while Morath-Gibbs made two great blocks to stop Walton forwards getting in on our goal.

We sent on Ryan Healy and Josh Phillips, then came within a whisker of doubling our lead when Miller cut inside from the right. He unleashed a rocket from 18 yards that beat Norris but not the crossbar.

Phillips had a good opportunity to score on 75 minutes as Peter Adeniyi found him with a quickly-taken free kick but, again, Norris was in the right place to deflect the ball away.

And Walton broke forward, after capitalising on a mistake by Panton, to get three-on-two and the unmarked Sanchez Benali eventually slotted past the exposed Ossai on the near side.

It was disappointing but we tried to rally - Campbell flashed a shot into the near side-netting and Bradford was foiled by Norris whom bravely spread himself and blocked our man's close range effort after Miller knocked back a deep cross.

The visiting keeper was at it again on 87 minutes as he patted Price's speculative 20 yard effort over. Bradford guided the corner delivery on target but it nicked off a defender for another one which was headed out.

Miller whipped a second ball in as Morath-Gibbs ghosted into the near post but his flicked effort was blocked away. A fourth corner was almost headed into his own goal by a Walton player and Bradford couldn't quite force the ball in from close range.

And we had a goal disallowed in stoppage time as Healy guided a driven Adeniyi cross past the oncoming Norris from 12 yards but the linesman's flag curtailed the celebrations.

Photos from the game available here.

Match highlights via robins.tv coming soon.

Next up: We host Shoreham on Saturday 26th August before heading to Corinthian Casuals on Monday 28th August.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Price (c), Morath-Gibbs, Dudley, Panton; Sogbanmu (Healy - 65), Adeniyi, Murphy-McVey (Phillips - 65); Bradford, Campbell (Swaby - 84), Miller
Unused subs: Opoku, Philips
Goal: Morath-Gibbs (45)
Assist: Sogbanmu

Walton and Hersham: Norris, Fenlon, Hornby, Newton, Van Sullivan, Thoroughgood, S Benali, Simpson, Okai (Jarraz - 83), Abdul, Nkoma (B Benali - 55)
Unused subs: Witham, Johnson, Smart, Thomas, B Benali, Jarraz
Goal: S Benali (76)

Our 'Man of the Match': Kalvin Morath-Gibbs
Attendance: 263

Wednesday 16 August 2017

Help needed

We are looking to increase its on-line presence. As you are already aware we are pioneering an e-programme for the Isthmian league and we will also be launching more on-line services in the next couple of months 

We are looking for help in these specific areas:

1. Match promos - Creating and publishing images to promote our fixtures. Skills required- graphic design.

2. Match information - providing information and statistics for each 1st team match a week or so before the fixture. Recent form, key players, previious encounters, etc. this is for the program and web site.

3. Match photography - One volunteer already takes match photos, but we are looking for another to provide additions photos and possibly manage instagram and flicker.

If you can help in any of these areas plesae get in touch by emailing me pauldipre@gmail.com

Paul

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Match report - Hastings United (h)

Despite dominating for long spells, this one finished honours even as a scrappy equaliser saw our visitors leave with a point, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


Team news: Two changes from Saturday's victory as Danny Dudley and Ricardo Panton came in for Paris Hamilton-Downes and Brendan Murphy-McVey.

It was a quiet opening with the first real piece of excitement coming on seven minutes as Peter Adeniyi strode forward with the ball which eventually ended up with Bobby Price out wide. He knocked a good cross in from the right but no-one in a red shirt capitalised.

That warmed things up and Richard Ossai got down to comfortably clutch a low drive by Billy Medlock, while Adeniyi blazed an attempt from 20 yards off target.

We almost took the lead on 20 minutes as Miller and Ricardo Panton built down the left before the latter picked out Price along the 18 yard line. Our man worked the angle and fired across keeper Josh Pelling but the ball pinged the far post and bounced away.

Medlock continued to look lively for United and he pounced on a wayward Adeniyi pass two minutes later but, again, Ossai was equal to his near post shot.

We won three quick corners on 27 minutes and the third almost led to a goal - Kalvin Morath-Gibbs flicked on the delivery but the unmarked Danny Dudley seemingly didn't expect the ball to reach him. He instinctively swung a foot to guide it goalwards and the ball flew just the wrong side of Pelling's right-hand post.

The pair swapped roles three minutes later as Dudley headed a Bradford cross into a congested penalty area, but this time it was Morath-Gibbs who couldn't divert the ball on target.

United went back on the attack and nobody picked up Davide Rodari as he burst into our area, but thankfully the right wing cross flew millimetres over his head.

The game turned scrappy after that as both sides notched up a few fouls, while Medlock picked up on a poor clearance by Ossai but Ola Sogbanmu raced back to stop the forward from potentially hitting the ball towards our vacant net.

Bradford finished the half looking to break the deadlock but Pelling got down to claim a low 20 yard effort. He also whipped in a free kick which a Hastings head almost diverted into his own net.

HALF-TIME: 0 - 0

Campbell got us going early in the second-half as sped past his marker down the right and won us a corner but we couldn't turn the situation into anything.

Then it was Miller streaking down the left as he twisted past two defenders on his way to the byline. He began cutting across the area and was sandwiched by two opponents but the referee waved away our calls for a spot-kick.

Our left winger was started to have more of an influence on proceedings and he had a golden chance to score on 54 minutes. Bradford played a perfect through ball for Miller to burst clean through but, as Pelling came out to meet him in the box, he opted to dink an effort over the goalkeeper which drifted wide of the far post.

Then Price found some space in an advanced position and he sent over a great cross that Dudley narrowly headed over from about 12 yards.

But our pressure finally told on the hour mark as Bradford again neatly played Miller in behind the United defence and this time he smashed a shot past the exposed Pelling for his first of the season.

And Miller was at it again a minute later as he darted onto an Adeniyi pass down the left, but his cross was just in front of Campbell and Price hit a first-time effort on the far side way over.

United then brought on forward Jack Harris and, just three minutes later, the substitute had levelled the score. 

We dealt with a corner into our box but our visitors kept up the pressure outside our box until Ossai failed to claim a cross in amongst a crowd of players. It came off Harris and rolled towards the empty net as Dudley - who later claimed his shirt was pulled as he set off - ran back but couldn't quite prevent the ball from just crossing the line.

It was a bitter pill to swallow and the game went back to being a bit of a stalemate, neither keeper troubled by a series of long distance efforts as the game ticked down to the last 10 minutes.

Josh Phillips came on for Campbell during that time and the young forward had two great chances to score as the game ticked towards its conclusion.

Adeniyi again got Miller away down the left on 82 minutes and our goalscorer eventually pulled the ball back for Bradford. He was closed down but managed to shift the ball on to Phillips, who had time to steady himself, but he didn't get over the ball and his shot ballooned over the bar.

Then, with two minutes left on the clock, Bradford flicked on a goal-kick which Miller latched on to. He looked up and crossed an inch-perfect ball in for Phillips, whom was unmarked inside the six yard box, but sadly the young striker headed it straight at Pelling.

Photos from the game can be viewed here.

Match highlights and player interviews available via robins.tv

Next up: We host Walton and Hersham in the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday 19th August before Shoreham arrive on Saturday 26th August.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Price (c), Morath-Gibbs, Dudley, Cheadle, Panton; Sogbanmu, Adeniyi; Bradford, Campbell (Phillips - 72), Miller
Unused subs: McLaughlin, Opoku, Healy, Murphy-McVey
Goal: Miller (60)
Assist: Bradford
Booked: Sogbanmu

Hastings United: Pelling, Pritchard, Beale, Carey, Aziava, Vickers, Rodari (Harris - 64), Dixon (c), Medlock, Gayler (Janneh - 83), Crutwell
Unused subs: Black, Rodriguez-Barbosa, Dullaway
Goal: Harris (67)

Our 'Man of the Match': Mickel Miller
Attendance: 302

Cup draws

We now know who we are playing in both the Surrey Senior Cup and Alan Turvey Trophy (League Cup sponsored by Velocity Sports) competitions.

We were drawn at home against Egham Town in the Surrey Senior Cup this morning, then we found out we are also at home in the first round of the League Cup as Dorking Wanderers visit Colston Avenue.

The dates of these games will be made known in due course.

Monday 14 August 2017

Post-match - Brendan Murphy-McVey

We got our campaign off to a flying start on Saturday, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


We visited league newcomers Ashford United, whom were promoted as Southern Counties East champions, and won a tight affair via a single goal by Brendan Murphy-McVey on the stroke of half-time.

And the 22-year old was keen to point out two aspects of a satisfying afternoon’s work in deepest Kent.
Scorer: Murphy-Mcvey taking on United

“We didn’t have a great pre-season in terms of results but we felt ready for Saturday in terms of our preparation and fitness,” said the attacking midfielder.

“Most people know of our attacking qualities but we’ve worked a lot on our defensive side and overall structure, so it was great to keep a clean sheet as well as taking the three points.”

Murphy-McVey displayed great composure in the 45th minute by controlling a cross-shot by Tommy Bradford before impudently flicking the ball over sprawling keeper George Kamurasi.

United received a golden chance to level things up from the penalty spot in the 67th minute but Rory Hill smashed his spot-kick against our crossbar.

And the home side finished up with ten men after defender Pat Kingwell, who the referee deemed as ‘the last man’, hauled down Michael Campbell as our striker bore down on goal.

“They were a strong side but our little bit of quality told in the end,” Murphy-McVey said.

“I’ve been told to get into the box more and I ended up on the end of Tommy’s attempt. It was a bit of a five-a-side finish but it felt instinctive.”

Our first home game comes this Monday as we go up against fellow promotion favourites Hastings United.

“I’m buzzing for another game so soon after Saturday and I’ve tended to do well against Hastings in the past,” he added. “I spent a lot of last season injured so I’m feeling fresh and want to help keep this positive start going.”


Carshalton Athletic vs Hastings United kicks-off at 7.45pm on Monday 14th August.

Saturday 12 August 2017

Match report - Ashford United (a)

It was a winning start to the season as we beat a resolute Ashford United by a single goal, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news: Richard Ossai, who arrived from Tooting in the week, started in goal while Jordan Cheadle was handed his first competitive start in Robins red. Ex-players Jason Goodchild and Adrian Stone were in our host's squad.

The game started brightly as both teams looked to go forward. We soaked up some early pressure, while Michael Campbell flicked on an Ossai goal kick into the path of Mickel Miller but his eventual cross was blocked away.

Ashford set their stall out early - high balls looking to exploit striker Tyrell Richardson-Brown's pace, but all our back four won big headers or made good interceptions to keep that plan from bearing early fruit.

But, when called upon, Ossai wasn't found wanting either - he gathered one dangerous cross cleanly in amongst a throng of players.

At the other end, Tommy Bradford spotted a run made by Campbell and threaded an almost inch-perfect through ball for our striker to latch onto, but home keeper George Kamurasi just won the race.

Bradford then got Miller away on the left and he finally sent over a cross that Bradford, but for a last-ditch header by Pat Kingwell, would've easily nodded home.

Richardson-Brown broke free and into our box on 19 minutes but the offside flag thankfully halted his progress.

Campbell won us a 20 yard free kick two minutes later but Cheadle saw his shot flash narrowly wide with Kamurasi beaten.

As another long ball came towards our goal, Morath-Gibbs then performed a perfectly-timed tackle to rob Richardson-Brown of another chance to bustle forward.

The home defence were equally adept at batting away the crosses we were putting in to their box however, so the game became a bit of a stalemate.

We tried to break the deadlock through Miller whom put two efforts over United's bar from distance and Campbell closed down the host's defence twice in a row as they tried to clear their lines, but Kamurasi halted his progress at the third attempt.

It was then Cheadle's turn to block off Richardson-Brown as the striker took aim in our box, while we lost Paris Hamilton-Downes to an injury on 40 minutes.

But then the only goal of the game arrived on the stroke of half-time as Bobby Price and Bradford combined on the right before the latter sent over a cross-shot. Brendan Murphy-McVey, who had run in from deep, controlled the ball in front of the sprawling Kamurasi before dinking it home to open his - and the club's - account for the season.

HALF-TIME: 0 - 1

Ossai endeared himself further to the travelling fans three minutes into the second-half as he palmed away a firm shot from distance by Rory Hill.

Mekhail McLaughlin, who came on for Hamilton-Downes, headed a clearance on 54 minutes and the ball, via Bradford, Miller and Murphy-McVey, ended back with Bradford whom forced a near post save out of Kamurasi.

McLaughlin did it again five minutes later as he intercepted a high ball before releasing Miller down the left. He showed willingness to take on his marker and whip over a cross but Kamurasi did just enough to deny Campbell who flung himself at the ball.

Ossai got behind another 20 yard effort by Hill but the winger was given the chance to score from closer in on 67 minutes.

Miller, who was chasing back, bundled over Fraser Walker inside our area but thankfully Hill smashed the spot-kick against our crossbar.

We breathed a sigh of relief and tried to get back on the front foot, but McLaughlin was cautioned for pulling back Richardson-Brown and Campbell, after beating his man with a neat step-over, shot the wrong side of the near post with his weaker foot.

Campbell got down the right on 80 minutes and got past his man before picking out Peter Adeniyi on the edge. Our player/manager chested the ball on to Miller but his angled shot was blocked away.

United were reduced to 10 men two minutes later as Campbell, who did well to trap and turn on a high clearance, was pulled down by Kingwell who was the last man. Bradford stepped up to the free kick but Kamurasi was equal to his curled effort.

There was almost a sting in the tale as Richardson-Brown broke into our box in added time, but Ossai rushed out and twice blocked the ball as the striker tried to force it goalwards.

We went up the other end and Josh Phillips did well out wide before feeding Bradford whom cut into the box. Campbell drew one defender out the centre but Kamurasi again denied our man at the near post.

Photos from the game are available here.

Match highlights are on robins.tv

Next up: We host Hastings United on Monday 14th August before playing Walton & Hersham in the FA Cup preliminary round at home on Saturday 19th August.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Price (Healy - 72), Morath-Gibbs, Cheadle, Hamilton-Downes (McLaughlin - 41); Bradford, Adeniyi, Sogbanmu, Murphy-McVey (Phillips - 84), Miller; Campbell
Unused sub: Opoku
Goal: Murphy-McVey (45)
Assist: Bradford
Booked: McLaughlin

Ashford United: Kamurasi, Walker (Difford - 78), Elliott (Williams - 25), Botterill (Stone - 46), Avery, Kingwell, Phillips, Davisson, Goodchild, Richardson-Brown, Hill
Unused subs: Perkins, Lee-Wharton
Missed penalty: Hill (67)
Sent off: Kingwell

Our 'Man of the Match': Kalvin Morath-Gibbs
Attendance: 289