Saturday 30 September 2017

Match report - Ramsgate (h)

A real ding-dong of a game saw us stretch our unbeaten league record but it wasn't all plain-sailing, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news
New signing Billy Bishop, whom played one game for us last season, began in goal. Peter Adeniyi had to drop back in to the defence as Danny Dudley and Kalvin Morath-Gibbs were absent. Ricky Korboa was named among the substitutes for the first time this season.

Kick-off
The game started at a fair tempo with Mickel Miller's deep cross just missing incoming red shirts on three minutes, while Bishop was alert to slide out and gather a through ball in front of the incoming Danny Lawrence.

Jordan Cheadle picked out Miller with a raking 50 yard pass on six minutes but he couldn't find a way past Jack Penny. He instead fed a pass into Raheem Sterling-Parker whom took a touch and turned to hit a shot from six yards, but Oliver Gray threw himself in its path.

Tom Jelley then drove forward over halfway before releasing the ball into Miller. He played a neat one-two with Bradford to get a glimpse of goal but he dragged his shot wide from 18 yards.

The game continued to ebb and flow, and the visitors had to make an early change at the back, but our next chance fell to Miller who hit the side-netting from a tight angle when perhaps a pullback would've caused more problems.

But Ramsgate got the first goal of the game on the half-hour - Rory Smith was unmarked and he guided a deft header inside the far post with Bishop rooted to the spot.

And, just three minutes later, Smith showed composure to dance around two half-challenges on the edge of our box before firing in low from 15 yards.

As good as the neat footwork was, it highlighted a hesitant defence - thankfully the forwards got us back in it on 36 minutes.

Bradford turned on a pass mid-way inside the Ramsgate half and played a through ball that Sterling-Parker took between George Crimmen and the incoming keeper Luke Watkins - he simply had to roll his eighth goal of the season into an empty net.

Bishop displayed his inner Manuel Neuer on 40 minutes as he came 30 yards out of goal to control a long ball away from the lurking Smith. Adeniyi took the ball on and it ended up in their box. Bradford turned and smashed it goalwards but Watkins somehow clawed it away with one hand.

Watkins twice again denied Bradford whom took pot shots from distance, while Sterling-Parker fizzed a dangerous ball across their six yard box in added time, but Joe Kane smuggled the ball out at the back post.

HALF-TIME: 1 - 2

Ramsgate sub George Crimmen caused consternation inside his own box within a minute of the restart - he sliced Jelley's cross up and back towards his own goal, but the ball dipped into the roof of the net.

We were on the front foot but coming up against a stubborn visiting defence - several attacks fizzled out either through shots blocked or final balls being cleared.

So, when Ramsgate won a corner on 63 minutes, a neat training ground routine ended with Bishop turning a shot round for another. We defended the initial delivery but eventually Jake MacKenzie knocked in a low cross. Again, Smith wasn't picked up and he plundered his hat-trick with a simple tap-in.

It was tough to take - we hadn't been in this position many times this season, but we rolled up our sleeves and Korboa, who was introduced for the injured Sterling-Parker, made an impact two minutes after coming on.

His positive run won a corner which Bradford swung into the near post. Miller was among the crowd and he simply bundled the ball in past Watkins to make it 3-2.

Our tails up, we kept on the front foot but our equaliser came after Paris Hamilton-Downes did well to block a pass inside our box. From that Bradford and then Adeniyi got Miller on the shoulder of Luke Wheatley whom pulled our man down.

The defender was lucky not to see red but Cheadle punished him by curling the 20 yard free kick around the wall and inside the far post.

Colston Avenue was now rocking and Korboa tested Watkins from 20 yards with a low shot, but he did add an assist to his return to the first-team.

Bradford played Korboa in down the left and he eventually got a cross in which, although Philips couldn't connect in front of goal, Miller controlled before crashing in an angled shot.

We were in the lead for the first time and only had seven minutes of normal time to see out.

In fact, before Ramsgate pegged us back, we had a fair shout for a penalty as Dan Keyte appeared to slide in late on Korboa but the referee waved play on.

And the visitors went and won a corner which Kane rose highest to power a header goalwards which Smith flicked in on the flight.

Check out all the goals and post-match interviews with Ricky Korboa and Peter Adeniyi: robins.tv

Photos from the game are available here.

Next up: We travel to Hastings United on Tuesday 3rd October before we head to Heybridge Swifts in the FA Trophy on Saturday 7th October.

Carshalton Athletic: Bishop; Jelley, Sogbanmu, Cheadle, Hamilton-Downes (c); Price, Adeniyi; Bradford, Phillips, Miller; Sterling-Parker (Korboa - 67)
Unused subs: Healy, Opoku, Douglas, McLaughlin
Goals: Sterling-Parker (36), Miller (68 and 83), Cheadle (75)
Assists: Bradford (2), Miller, Korboa
Booked: Sogbanmu, Cheadle

Ramsgate: Watkins, MacKenzie, Penny, Kane (c), Wheatley, Gray (Crimmen - 18), Chapman, Woollcott, Smith, Lawrence (Munday - 88), Keyte
Unused subs: Mensah, Paxman, King
Goals: Smith (30, 33, 64 and 86)
Booked: Woollcott, Wheatley

Our 'Man of the Match': Paris Hamilton-Downes
Attendance: 363
Current league position: 6th (18 points)

Thursday 28 September 2017

Interview - Raheem Sterling-Parker

We remain unbeaten after our first seven league games but the fans might not be finding things relaxing,writes James Barrett-Sterling.

We effectively dropped two points last Saturday as visiting Phoenix Sports hit a last-minute equaliser to escape Colston Avenue with a 2-2 draw.

The Carshalton faithful then travelled to nearby Chipstead on Tuesday and witnessed our boys grind out a thrilling 4-3 victory.

But striker Raheem Sterling-Parker says at least they are getting entertained while the unbeaten run stretches on.

“We certainly aren’t doing things the easy way but the fans are getting value for money,” smiled Sterling-Parker, who has already notched seven goals since joining us in the summer.

“We seem to thrive under pressure and sometimes we play better when there is a need to kick-on but hopefully, as each game comes and goes, we’ll start tightening up as a team.”

Sterling-Parker returned to his old club on Tuesday and, much to the dismay of the fans whom used to cheer him on, he notched two second-half strikes to put us 4-2 up by 71 minutes.

Each came after Josh Phillips opened the scoring in the third minute and Tommy Bradford’s first of the season as we battled back from 2-1 down to eventually survive a shot that clipped our crossbar late on.

“The motto inside our dressing is ‘do not lose’ and our only losses so far have come in cup competitions against teams in higher divisions,” added the 23-year old, “but even then our performances probably deserved more than defeat, so I firmly believe we can keep our league form going.”

Sterling-Parker says he has settled into life wearing Robins red well and his form – seven goals and seven assists in nine games – backs up his claim.

“I used to just focus on goals and sometimes that went against me, but I was just as happy to set up Tommy’s goal as I was to get my two,” he said.

“The style of football Peter has us playing means I know we’ll get chances and, as a striker, that’s a really exciting thing to be a part of.”

Our next game is at home against Ramsgate on Saturday 30th September (kick-off 3pm).

Wednesday 27 September 2017

Match summary - Chipstead (a)

We kept our unbeaten league run going but it was end-to-end at High Road as we ran out 4-3 winners, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news
Josh Phillips, Bobby Price and Paris Hamilton-Downes were welcomed back into the starting line-up following the draw against Phoenix Sports. Ex-Robin Matt Males was in our hosts' first eleven.

Kick-off
And Phillips justified his recall as he finished off a fine passing move on three minutes for his second goal in as many games.

We continued to dominate possession but were pegged back in the 14th minute - Chipstead's first threatening attack ended with Sam Bell slotting past Richard Ossai.

And things got worse six minutes later as Leon Lalor-Dell looked up and crashed a decent shot home from distance.

All our early momentum had disappeared but we stemmed the flow and got in the break only a goal down.

HALF-TIME: 2 - 1

Raheem Sterling-Parker came to life after half-time and his old club would've been relieved to see him depart the pitch by the 72nd minute.

He restored parity on 50 minutes before turning provider for Tommy Bradford four minutes later - the relief on last season's top goalscorer face was instant after his neat turn and hit inside the area turned into his first of the season.

Our tails up, we kept at it and Sterling-Parker plundered his seventh of a productive season so far to make it 4-2.

But we set up a nervy ending for the travelling fans by letting Chipstead back in it with five minutes to go through Liam Harwood.

The home side also clipped our crossbar from close range in added time but our firepower in front of goal meant we collected another three points on the road.

Photos from the game will be available soon.

Next up
We play host to Ramsgate on Saturday 30th September before travelling to Hastings United on Tuesday 3rd October.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Jelley, Morath-Gibbs, Cheadle, Hamilton-Downes; Adeniyi, Price (c) (Sogbanmu - 53); Bradford, Phillips, Miller; Sterling-Parker (Douglas - 72)
Unused subs: Murphy-McVey, Healy, McLaughlin
Goals: Phillips (3), Sterling-Parker (50 and 71), Bradford (54)
Assists: Sterling-Parker (2), Bradford

Chipstead: Pain, Warren, O'Flaherty, Males (c) (Tait - 62), Amghar, Harwood, Adaje (Williams - 73), Khan, Bell (McLean - 67), Cascoe, Lalor-Dell
Unused subs: Martin, Twum
Goals: Bell (14), Lalor-Dell (20), Harwood (85)
Booked: Amghar

Our 'Man of the Match': Raheem Sterling-Parker
Attendance: 135
Current league position: 7th (17 points)

Saturday 23 September 2017

Match report - Phoenix Sports (h)

A dramatic late equaliser meant we dropped two points against one of the league's newcomers, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news
Tom Jelley, Antone Douglas, Kalvin Morath-Gibbs, Jordan Cheadle, Ola Sogbanmu, Tommy Bradford and Mickel Miller all returned following our exit from the League Cup last Monday.

Kick-off
Both sides made a bright start to this one but we fashioned a chance in the third minute as Raheem Sterling-Parker and Sogbanmu combined to get Miller into the box, but a lunging defender blocked away his low shot.

A minute later Sterling-Parker played a quick free, after Sogbanmu had been fouled, into Bradford but keeper Steve Phillips got behind our man's 20 yard effort.

But the watching crowd didn't have to wait long for the first goal of the afternoon to arrive.

Bradford and Miller made ground down the right but the former's cross was cleared. Adeniyi kept the move alive and the ball finally found its way into Miller on the edge. His back heel was collected by Morath-Gibbs whom spun his man first-time before finishing smartly beyond the advancing Phillips.

And, as surprising as it may have been to see one of our defenders score such a sublime goal, the home crowd were shell-shocked again five minutes later - Ashley Probets' inswinging free kick from the right beat everyone and sneaked in the top far corner to restore parity.

We responded but Phillips got behind both a curled Miller effort and a 20-yard Bradford free kick.

Although we dominated possession, our decision-making in the final third was letting us down, while Sports were quite content to get forward quickly and keep Danny Dudley and Cheadle on their toes.

We were fortunate, during one of Sports' more positive attacks, to see a shot by Onoriode Ogboe loop over our bar, while Miller's pace took him past two wayward tackles on 36 minutes but Bradford's effort on the final pass was deflected wide by a defender.

Richard Ossai's first save of the game came on 38 minutes as he got behind a powerful angled drive by Kweku Ansah, while Miller got on the end of a Douglas cross but couldn't guide his header in front of goal on target.

But both sides had great chances to go into the break a goal up just before half-time.

Firstly, Adeniyi strode forward and, although Miller couldn't force his way through on his pass, the ball was picked up by Douglas who stabbed an effort goalwards which hit Morath-Gibbs. He was in acres of space but, presumably thinking he was offside, he rushed a shot off target - but the flag wasn't raised.

Our visitors went up the other end and, as a low cross was squeezed in from the left, Ossai sprang energetically across his line to claw away what looked to be a cert goal for the poaching Lewis Afflick.

HALF-TIME: 1 – 1

We introduced Josh Phillips and Paris Hamilton-Downes for Dudley and Douglas during the first even 10 minutes of the second-half.

But we slowly began to get on top and Phillips had a good chance to score on 57 minutes - Bradford neatly took down a high ball and slipped in Sterling-Parker. His shot was blocked in front of the keeper and our sub saw his effort from 15 yards just deflected over.

Just after the hour mark, Phillips got Bradford away down the inside left. The former felt he was pulled down as he made a run into the area but Bradford's pullback eventually reached Miller whom forced a good save out of Phillips.

But we retook the lead with our very next attack - Sterling-Parker bustled into their box but was blocked out. Phillips got onto the loose ball however, kept calm and side-footed his first of the season almost through his diving namesake.

Our tails up, we bossed the next quarter hour but Adeniyi spurned a great chance from 15 yards, Miller couldn’t get a shot off in the six yard box and the Sports defence worked hard to deny us much space.

Jelley cleared from own byline after a rare attack by the visitors fizzled out on 80 minutes and Sterling-Parker chased the ball all the way back to Phillips. Our Phillips nicked the hurried clearance on halfway and Bradford looked up to play Miller in behind, but he was denied a clear run by a close offside call.

The home crowd all thought the moment for Bradford to break his duck had arrived on 87 minutes after Jelley went on a run and cruised past two opponents. He found last season’s top goalscorer inside the box but, after steadying himself, he watched his attempt fly wide of the right-hand post.

And we were made to rue all those missed chances as, in the 92nd minute, Alfie Alridge got a high pass towards Ansah whom let fly from 18 yards and the ball flew past Ossai and just inside the top corner.

Match highlights, interviews and photos will be available soon.

Next up
We go to Chipstead on Tuesday 26th September before Ramsgate visit us on Saturday 30th September

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Jelley, Dudley (Phillips - 46), Cheadle, Douglas (Hamilton-Downes - 55); Adeniyi, Morath-Gibbs, Sogbanmu; Bradford, Sterling-Parker (c), Miller (Opoku - 83)
Unused subs: Murphy-McVey, Healy
Goals: Morath-Gibbs (11), Phillips (64)
Assists: Miller, Sterling-Parker

Phoenix Sports: Phillips (c), Lee, Probets (Golding - 84), Wright, Young, Robinson, Ogboe, Hopkins, Afflick (Aldridge - 68), Ansah, Cue
Unused subs: Bryon, Fitchett, Murray
Goals: Probets (16), Ansah (90)
Booked: Hopkins, Wright

Our 'Man of the Match': Richard Ossai
Attendance: 311

Current league position: 7th (13 points)

Thursday 21 September 2017

Interview - Peter Adeniyi

We recently experienced defeat for the first time this season but player/manager Peter Adeniyi is confident the squad will bounce straight back, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


We were unbeaten in our first eight games before agonisingly losing 4-3 at National South side Eastbourne Borough last Saturday in the FA Cup.

That was followed by a loss at home in the Velocity Cup as visitors Dorking Wanderers ran out 3-1 winners on Monday – although it was a result that flattered the Bostik Premier outfit.

“The last two results have been disappointing because we could’ve done better in terms of the goals we’ve conceded,” said Adeniyi.

“Tiny mistakes get punished when you play against teams from higher divisions but I think if we just tighten up a bit more at the back then we’ll be fine.

“We also created plenty of chances and showed great character, especially against Eastbourne, so I’m happy with the attitude shown by everyone across the two games and I’m sure we’ll get back to winning ways this weekend.”

Adeniyi has moved to strengthen his defensive options in the past week as defenders Tom Jelley and Antone Douglas joined the ranks at Colston Avenue.

Adeniyi: Looking forwards
“I’m lucky to be working with a chairman that listens and backs me when necessary, hence the arrival of Tom and Antone,” added the 37 year-old midfielder.

“Both are vastly experienced and welcome additions, but I’m proud to be a part of this squad. There is talent all over the pitch and I’m sure we’ll get our good start back on track.”

We have a first-ever encounter with Phoenix Sports on Saturday and Adeniyi is looking forward to the game.

“They’ve also made a good start to their season so it’ll be a tough game on Saturday,” he added. “I’m going to watch them in their FA Cup replay on Tuesday and we’ll be up for the challenge.” 

Our game against Phoenix Sports kick-off at 3pm on Saturday 23rd September.

Tuesday 19 September 2017

Match report - Dorking Wanderers (League Cup - h)

We lost out in this competitive cup game as the scoreline flattered our visitors, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


Team news
Paris Hamilton-Downes and David Opoku made their first starts of the season, while Mekhail McLaughlin, Brendan Murphy-McVey, Ryan Healy, Josh Phillips and Peter Adeniyi all returned to the starting line-up. Ex-Robin Sol Pinnock was named in the visitors' starting eleven.

Kick off
Dorking had the first shot in anger on five minutes but Richard Ossai got down to comfortably claim Dan Pearse's low angled drive.

Pinnock then got forward shortly after and, before Opoku could close him down, he sent over an early cross that saw Tom Tolfrey rise highest but thankfully his header dropped onto the roof of our net.

We registered our first shot on target on 12 minutes as Murphy-McVey lined up a 30 yard free kick which Josh Pelling got behind.

Our visitors were looking the more likely going forward but McLaughlin, Danny Dudley and Hamilton-Downes all got good tackles in on different occasions.

At the other end, Pelling wasn't being tested but flashes of pace and guile from Raheem Sterling-Parker and Bobby Price kept Dorking's defenders on their toes.

But we picked up the pace just after the half-hour mark; Sterling-Parker got into their box but his square ball was just cut out in front of Phillips. Then our number nine won a free kick 20 yards from goal but no-one got on the end of Hamilton-Downes' low ball across the area.

Dorking tried to play themselves up-field from that goal kick but we stole the ball back on the right and Sterling-Parker burst into their box. His pullback was just behind both Phillips and Adeniyi but Healy picked it up on the edge of the area before being bundled over.

The referee initially gave a spot-kick but, after the linesman on the near-side intervened, a free kick was awarded which Sterling-Parker hit straight at the grateful Pelling.

Our front man was growing in confidence however and he fashioned a chance in stoppage time by getting onto his weaker left foot before blazing an effort over from 15 yards.

HALF-TIME: 0 - 0

We began the second-half brightly and Opoku almost closed down Pelling as the keeper dithered on an early back pass.

But the crowd didn't have to wait much longer until we opened the nights scoring - Sterling-Parker was bundled over as he ran into Dorking's box and he picked himself up to slot away the penalty for his fifth goal of the season.

We almost doubled that lead on 55 minutes as Opoku drove at their defence before, via Healy, the ball found itself with Phillips through on goal. The youngster took a touch and went to hit a shot as the exposed Pelling went to ground, but Chris Boulter bravely deflected the ball wide.

Healy and Murphy-McVey both put shots from distance off target as the game ticked over the hour mark, and we were still the side on top until things changed quickly within two minutes.

Dorking managed to get some space on the left on 68 minutes and a fizzed low cross was turned past Ossai by a combination of Tolfrey and Dudley as the pair tussled for the ball.

Then, before we had a chance to really draw breath, sub Eugene Haran-Morgan, whom had only come on after Dorking had equalised, got some space on the right and his curling cross was guided in by the head of Tolfrey.

It was a bitter pill to take as we had bossed more of the second-half but we kept plugging away as Phillips showed good strength to cross over halfway with the ball on 78 minutes.

He was eventually brought crashing down by a third incoming tackle that earned Brannon O'Neill a booking. Adeniyi met Murphy-McVey's deep free kick at the back post but Pelling managed to pat the looping header over his crossbar.

And, during the last 10 minutes, the game really opened up - Murphy-McVey waltzed past a couple of challenges on his way towards the Dorking area before slipping a pass into Dudley whom had the opportunity to have a shot or look for a teammate.

He chose the latter and Sterling-Parker seems odds on to bury his second from six yards, but Boulter again threw himself in the way and the ball deflected just wide of Pelling's left-hand post.

Then, a minute later, we got down the right and Opoku drove a hard cross along their six yard box with Phillips millimetres from connecting as he lunged in.

Dorking responded but, as one of their forwards showed quick feet to deceive Dudley and the sprawling Ossai 12 yards from our goal, McLaughlin was on hand to block the shot in front of an empty net.

But they did add a gloss to the scoreline as sub Matt Briggs wowed the crowd on 90 minutes, riding two tackles on his way into our box before calmly side-footing beyond Ossai, curtailing any chance we had of taking the tie to penalties.    

Photos and highlights from the match will be available soon.

Next up
We host Phoenix Sports on Saturday 23rd September before we head off to Chipstead on Tuesday 26th September.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Price (Cave - 73), Dudley (Alexiou - 90), McLaughlin, Hamilton-Downes (c); Adeniyi (Jarrett - 90), Healy, Murphy-McVey; Opoku, Sterling-Parker, Phillips
Unused subs: None
Goal: Sterling-Parker (54 pen)
Booked: Price

Dorking Wanderers: Pelling, Philpott (Haran-Morgan - 69), Boulter (c), Dyett (Briggs - 76), O'Neill, Pearse, Sole, Summerfield, Chednik, Tolfrey, Pinnock (Beard - 58)
Unused subs: Hamlin, Wells
Goals: Tolfrey (68 and 70), Briggs (90)
Booked: O'Neill, Briggs

Our 'Man of the Match': Raheem Sterling-Parker
Attendance: 113

Saturday 16 September 2017

Match report - Eastbourne Borough (a - FA Cup)

Our FA Cup dream ended but with our heads held high as we tussled with National South outfit Eastbourne Borough, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news
New signing Antonio Douglas made his debut in defence after signing in the week, while Paris Hamilton-Downes was fit enough to be named on the bench for the first time this season. Former Robin Nathaniel Pinney was named amongst our hosts’ substitutes.

Kick-off
Both sides started brightly and our new boy ventured forward on three minutes and forced Bailey Vose into a flying save, with Mickel Miller turning the rebound wide.

It was then Richard Ossai's turn to be alert as he denied both Leon Redmond and the experienced Sergio Torress within the minutes of each other.

But our keeper couldn’t prevent us from falling behind on 10 minutes as Yemi Odubade was found by Harley Willard and the striker opened the scoring.

Although we kept our heads up – Raheem Sterling-Parker was denied a sight of Borough’s goal by a well-timed interception by Ian Simpemba on 15 minutes – our hosts went further ahead as Torres banged one in from around 20 yards.

Going two-down galvanised us however and we kept trying to get forward, with a reward finally arriving on 22 minutes – Mickel Miller putting over a cross which Simpemba sliced past his own goalkeeper.

Tommy Bradford’s eyes lit up a few minutes later as the home defence could only clear the ball into him, but last season’s top goalscorer dragged a shot wide.

He was involved again on 35 minutes as we halted a Borough attack and broke at pace, but the linesman’s flag curtailed Bradford’s seemingly well-timed run on goal.

But, just before we could get into the break and collect ourselves, Odubade added a third on 42 minutes by heading in a cross from the right.

HALF-TIME: 3 – 1

We hardly had time to draw breath after the referee restarted the second-half and we found ourselves three behind as Jamie Taylor added a fourth within a minute.

Borough weren’t letting up and we were thankful to Ossai for denying Harris and Torres while, when he was beaten, the crossbar kept out a Simpemba header on a free kick delivery.

Pinney had also came on but it was one of our current strikers who had the next say – Sterling-Parker ran onto a forward pass before lobbing the ball over the advancing Vose and into the empty net.

Like the first-half, that goal spurred us onto the front foot but we couldn’t turn that pressure into another goal until 78 minutes.

Pinney threatened to haunt us but Ossai stayed big and saved the forward’s chipped effort – then we broke and a flowing move ended with Sterling-Parker drawing out Vose before unselfishly laying in Price, whom hadn't stopped running in support, to tap home his first of the season.

Cheadle went close with a late free kick
It was game on and we smelt blood as we pushed forward looking for an equaliser - Jordan Cheadle fired in a trademark free kick which was headed off the line, while we were relieved to see Willard hit our side-netting with an angled drive at one point.

We thought we’d levelled on 88 minutes as Sterling-Parker had another sight of goal, turning on to his right foot in the far corner of the area, but this time his effort cannoned away off the crossbar.

Ola Sogbanmu and Josh Phillips both headed chances off target in added time so, despite a strong finish, it will be Eastbourne Borough in the hat for the next round.

Photos from the game are available here.

Next up
We face Dorking Wanderers in the Velocity Cup on Monday 18th September before Phoenix Sports arrive on Saturday 23rd September.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Jelley, Dudley, Cheadle, Douglas (Hamilton-Downes – 85); Bradford (J Phillips – 89), Sogbanmu, Morath-Gibbs (Adeniyi – 58), Price (c), Miller; Sterling-Parker
Unused subs: Murphy-McVey, Searle, Healy, McLaughlin
Goals: Simpemba (22 own goal), Sterling-Parker (69), Price (78)
Assists: Miller, Sogbanmu, Sterling-Parker
Booked: Cheadle, Dudley

Eastbourne Borough: Vose, Redwood, McCallum, Wills, Simpemba, Charman, Willard, Torres (c), Odubade (Worrall – 88), Taylor (Pinney – 60), Harris (Drage – 75)
Unused subs: Street, Ransom, Pickering, Pearson
Goals: Odubade (10 and 42), Torres (18), Taylor (46)
Booked: Simpemba

Our 'Man of the Match': Raheem Sterling-Parker
Attendance: 438

Tuesday 12 September 2017

Pre-match interview - Peter Adeniyi

We still remain unbeaten so far this season but our sternest test is coming up, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


Goals from Mickel Miller and Raheem Sterling-Parker were enough to defeat Faversham Town last Saturday and our current league record of four wins and a draw put us top of the Bostik South.

But now attention switches to the FA Cup and a trip to National South outfit Eastbourne Borough. It is a tie that will no doubt test player/manager Peter Adeniyi and the squad to the fullest.

"Eastbourne are two levels above us so it'll be a good test of how far we've come this season, but we will just play our normal game and enjoy the occasion," Adeniyi said.

"It'll also be a nice day out for the club and fans because who doesn't love dreaming of causing an upset? We want to test ourselves against the best and I'm confident we can give a good account of ourselves."

These days both clubs ply their trade on 3G pitches - a fact exceedingly rare back when the 37-year old midfielder last visited Priory Lane.

"Last time I was there was about 10 years ago and they definitely didn't have a 3G pitch then, but their surface won't make much difference to us for obvious reasons," smiled Adeniyi.

And, after revealing first-teamers Brendan Murphy-McVey and Michael Campbell both scored for our Under 23s on Monday evening, Adeniyi claims to have an almost fully-fit squad to be able to chose from ahead of this exciting cup clash.

"It's a dream situation to have so many players willing and able of course, but it also brings with it a different type of headache," he explained.

"I'm pleased with how the players have been doing and that's without being able to name a 'regular' eleven every week. So, no matter what the outcome of this cup game, that at least bodes well for the rest of our season."

The game against Eastbourne Borough kicks-off at 3pm on Saturday 16th September.

Monday 11 September 2017

Game postponed

Tonight's game against Greenwich Borough has been postponed due to our opponents' late re-arrangement of a cup game for tomorrow.

New date will be advised when known.

Next up for the first-team is our FA Cup second qualifying game away against Eastbourne Borough on Saturday 16th September (KO 3pm).

Saturday 9 September 2017

Match report - Faversham Town (h)

We remain unbeaten this season but the scoreline should've been more comprehensive against Faversham Town, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


Team news
Tommy Bradford, Raheem Sterling-Parker and Ola Sogbanmu returned to the starting line-up, while new signing Tom Jelley came in at left back.

Kick-off
Town broke away in the third minute as Bobby Price failed to get a cleared Mickel Miller cross under control and Sam Bewick crossed the halfway line. Peter Adeniyi appealed for offside as the midfielder's pass set Liam King off in a race with Richard Ossai, but our keeper bravely dove at the forward's feet.

Our first glimpse of goal came on 10 minutes as Adeniyi showed strength and quick feet to get past three opponents before passing to Bradford, but he eventually shanked a shot off target.

But, three minutes later, we took the lead - Simon Overland turned away a Jordan Cheadle free kick at full stretch, but Miller got onto the flight of Bradford's corner delivery to head home his seventh of the season.

And things got better three minutes later as Overland pushed out a Miller cross only as far as Adeniyi. He was blocked off but the ball got out wide before eventually Bradford was played in and he squared a low cross for Sterling-Parker to smartly turn in.

There was a swagger to our play now and we kept on the front foot; Bradford thrashed a shot into the side-netting and Matthew Bourne was booked for effectively rugby-tackling a foraging Adeniyi.

But, as always within football, it only takes one chance for the opposition to get a goal and, on 34 minutes, Ossai was alert to push away a firmly struck shot from distance.

Miller's pace drew yet another foul on 40 minutes and Cheadle stepped up again, only this time he curled the ball just over the top near corner.

HALF-TIME: 2 - 0

The heavens opened just as the second-half began and, much like the thunder overhead, we continued to rumble on.

Adeniyi intelligently flicked a pass into the run of Miller on 48 minutes but a yellow shirt just did enough to deny our man a free shot on goal.

Then another attack was cleared out as far as Kalvin Morath-Gibbs but his placed effort from 20 yards was straight at Overland.

Our front three were keeping the Town defence on high alert, especially as the wet conditions gave our passes extra momentum - Sterling-Parker beat his man into the box on 56 minutes but Overland pushed out his angled drive for a corner. Sogbanmu met the delivery but his header was cleared by the far post.

Our returning midfielder had a better chance on the hour - Bradford and then Adeniyi kept a cleared free kick alive on the left before Sterling-Parker picked out Sogbanmu in the box, but he placed a diving header the wrong side of the post.

Jelley advanced on 63 minutes and got Sterling-Parker into the area before he cut inside his marker, but his shot was blocked. Bradford had no space to get a shot off so instead he teed up Adeniyi but Overland denied our player/manager.

Although Town really offered very little going forwards, they really should've scored on 67 minutes - Bewick ran from deep to meet a Jordan Casey cross but, with Ossai statuesque, he thumped his free header wide.

Both sides made substitutions but, aside from Monger testing Ossai from 30 yards on 77 minutes, we kept on the front foot but sadly failed to add to our tally.

This meant Bewick's neat finish from 18 yards in added time not only denied us a rare clean sheet, but meant the final scoreline implied a closer game than was witnessed.

Other results meant we ended the afternoon topping the table for the first time this season.

Photos from the game will be available soon.

Match highlights and interviews will be uploaded to robins.tv soon.

Next up
We visit Eastbourne Borough for our FA Cup clash on Saturday 16th September before Dorking Wanderers arrive for a Velocity League Cup tie on Monday 18th September.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Price (c), Dudley, Morath-Gibbs, Cheadle, Jelley; Sogbanmu, Adeniyi; Bradford, Sterling-Parker (Phillips - 78), Miller (Campbell - 88)
Unused subs: Murphy-McVey, Healy, McLaughlin
Goals: Miller (13), Sterling-Parker (16)
Assists: Bradford (2)

Faversham Town: Overland, Carrington, Tenyue, Walder, Bourne, Rook (Cheek - 68), Bewick, Monger, King, Lovell (c), Casey (Murray - 68)
Unused subs: Lawford, Griffiths, Lightfoot
Goal: Bewick (90)
Booked: Bourne, Walder

Our 'Man of the Match: Tom Jelley
Attendance: 266
Current league position: 1st

Tuesday 5 September 2017

Post-match - Peter Adeniyi

We survived a scare in the FA Cup last weekend but we finally came through to book a place in the second qualifying round, writes James Barrett-Sterling.


Lower league Pagham arrived at Colston Avenue last Saturday and took a shock 2-0 lead into half-time.

But we rallied after the break and, inspired by a Mickel Miller hat-trick, went on to win the tie 5-3.

And, when asked how that change around occurred, player/manager Peter Adeniyi offered up a simple resolution.

"Our level of performance during that first-half wasn't great, so our response to the boys was this - work harder," Adeniyi said after the game.

"We have a talented squad but the effort also needs to be there. All credit to Pagham, they did really well, but once we stepped it up there was really only one team in it."

We levelled the tie before the hour mark through a 20-yard thunderbolt by Miller and sub Raheem Sterling-Parker's angled effort.

And we kept pressing until defender Kalvin Morath-Gibbs headed them in front with 15 minutes to go.

But, despite running on empty, Pagham again shocked the home crowd by breaking on 83 minutes and nabbing a third through Scott Murfin.

But Miller had other ideas and, straight from the restart, he took down Jordan Cheadle's long raking pass on the right. He bustled his way into the box before eventually poking the ball in from the tightest of angles.

And the 21-year old killed off Pagham hopes with his third just as the game moved into added time.

"I was pleased for Mickel but we know he's got goals in him - last season proved that," added Adeniyi

"Scoring them isn't going to be out problem, we already have goals pouring in from all over the pitch this season, but we'll work on tightening up at the back because we don't want to have to score five every week to win games."

The draw for the second qualifying round was made earlier this week (Monday) and our reward is a trip to National South outfit Eastbourne Borough.

But next up for is a home league game against Faversham Town on Saturday 9th September (kick-off 3pm).

Monday 4 September 2017

FA Cup draw

The draw for the second qualifying round of the FA Cup was made today (Monday).

We travel away to Eastbourne Borough whom play in the National League South.

Date of the tie TBC, but provisionally in for Saturday 16th September.

Saturday 2 September 2017

Match report - Pagham (h - FA Cup)

It was a frustrating, nail-biting, thrilling afternoon as we managed to eventually beat a spirited Pagham in the FA Cup, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news
Kalvin Morath-Gibbs, Brendan Murphy-McVey and Michael Campbell were given starts in three changes from Monday's win at Corinthian Casuals.

Kick-off
We got off to the worst possible start as, on five minutes, a Richard Ossai clearance was collected by the opposition and Terrell Lewis finally got beyond Ricardo Panton before angling a shot back across our keeper.

Both keepers were being harried by their opposing number nines during the opening 10 minutes, but the next real chance fell to Pagham on 12 minutes - Callum Overton got onto a Joe Kilhams pass and seemed destined to score from 10 yards but Jordan Cheadle stood firm to block.

Our first glimpse of goal came on 16 minutes as Danny Dudley ventured forward over halfway. Campbell made some space with a run across the defence but our defender dragged his shot off target.

And our best spell of play came three minutes later - Bobby Price headed a clearance towards Mickel Miller and his pace got him the room to send over a cross. Murphy-McVey and Peter Adeniyi shifted the ball out to Morath-Gibbs but his placed effort flew over the bar.

But Pagham got their travelling fans dreaming of Wembley as Callum Overton got on the ball and rode a couple of half-hearted challenges before slamming a shot beyond the dive of Ossai.

It was no more than we deserved up to that point, our performance had been lacklustre and we had Ossai to thank for keeping it down to two on 36 minutes. He parried a speculative Lloyd Rowlatt effort out at full stretch, with Cheadle then clearing in front of the lurking Overton.

We rallied a bit before the end of the half but keeper James Binfield twice denied us - firstly he got a finger on a dinked Miller effort to help the ball roll across his gaping goal, then he got down to parry away a low Campbell effort that was creeping in at the near post.

HALF-TIME: 0 - 2

Raheem Sterling-Parker was introduced at the start of the second-half and he won us an early corner which Josh Phillips headed over from close range.

But we seemed a lot more energetic, kept on the front foot and Miller, on 51 minutes, worked some space 20 yards from goal. He looked up and smashed a thunderbolt past Binfield to give us a route back into the game.

And things got better six minutes later after Campbell latched on to a long clearance down the left.

He held off his marker and tried to pull the ball back towards incoming teammates, but it was just cleared. Peter Adeniyi did turn the ball back into Sterling-Parker's path however and he showed good strength before turning a shot in off the far post.

The home fans went wild and the relief around Colston Avenue was palpable.

Our next attack saw us win a corner which Campbell neatly brought down and he appeared to be felled by an opponent. The referee blew up but not for a penalty, booking our man for apparent simulation.

The puff had left our opponents as they now struggled to contain our attacks, but there was a warning sign on 67 minutes as they forced two corners, the second of which eventually fell to Scott Murfin but his shot flashed wide.

But we weren't to be denied as we looked the more likely and we took the lead for the first time as Kalvin Morath-Gibbs rose highest to head Cheadle's free kick delivery in for his second goal in the competition.

We almost made it four on 78 minutes - firstly Campbell played Phillips in on goal. The young forward did everything right but Binfield pounced to turn the ball round for a corner. Dudley trotted up and met the delivery but his header crashed off the post.

Then the mood within the ground changed twice in the space of 60 seconds.

Pagham stunned us with a rare attack that ended up with a pass being pulled back from our byline that the unmarked Murfin firmly side-footed home.

As the stunned home crowd took stock, and the visiting fans celebrated jubilantly, from the restart Cheadle sent a raking 50 yard pass out towards Miller. He took the ball down, got at his marker and travelled along the byline before squeezing it in from the tightest angle.

Colston Avenue erupted and our lead was back intact - it would've been hard to begrudge Pagham their moment but we had completely dominated the second-half and even more was to come.

Miller had a chance to get his hat-trick on 89 minutes after he latched on to a Sterling-Parker through ball and lofted an effort over Binfield but not the crossbar.

But he wasn't to be denied the match ball as, in added time, Miller took the ball past a couple of tired bodies inside the Pagham area before thumping it into the back of the net.

The draw for the second qualifying round takes place on Monday 4th September.

Photos from the game are available here.

Match highlights and interviews coming soon via robins.tv

Next up
We host Faversham Town on Saturday 9th September before Greenwich Borough arrive on Monday 11th September.

Carshalton Athletic: Ossai; Dudley, Morath-Gibbs, Cheadle; Price (c), Murphy-McVey (Sterling-Parker - 46), Adeniyi, J Phillips (Healy - 88), Miller, Panton; Campbell (McLaughlin - 86)
Unused subs: Tadafe, L Phillips, Opoku, Cave
Goals: Miller (51, 84, 90), Sterling-Parker (57), Morath-Gibbs (73)
Assists: Adeniyi, Cheadle (2)
Booked: Campbell

Pagham: Binfield, Bingham (Hawker - 64), Kilhams, Booker, Davidson (N Murfin - 60), Horncastle (c), Rowlatt, Chick, Overton, S Murfin, Lewis (Crouch - 90)
Unused subs: Ansa, Parkinson, Rafferty, Terry
Goals: Lewis (5), Overton (20), S Murfin (83)

Attendance: 225
Our 'Man of the Match': Mickel Miller