Our rollercoaster run of results continued as we followed up our win at Horsham with defeat in the Channel Islands, writes James Barrett-Sterling.
Team news
Ryan Healy filled in at right back as Jordan Cheadle also returned to the defence. Young Reece Cave was handed his full debut in midfield and Josh Phillips came back in to lead the line. The returning Sean O'Toole, plus the likes of Levi Phillips and Stuart Searle, was named among the substitutes.
Kick-off
Our hosts started brightly and one ball over the top found Dave Rihoy unmarked in our box but, rather than trying his luck as Billy Bishop came to narrow the angle, he weakly squared the ball and our keeper easily collected it.
But, on five minutes, another long punt forward was shifted out wide and Ross Allen got in on goal. He dinked an effort over Bishop and Rihoy was completely unmarked at the back post to turn the ball home.
We struggled to muster much going forwards for long periods, although we did break once with Tommy Bradford getting Ricky Korboa away over halfway. In turn, he played a one-two with Mickel Miller to burst into Guernsey's box but a last-ditch tackle prevented any shot.
Then, on 33 minutes, Miller took aim on the far side of the pitch from about 18 yards but his effort just failed to curl inside the far post.
We were awarded a free kick almost in the exact same position a few minutes later but the trusty left foot of Cheadle flashed the ball just off target with Dennis sprawling.
HALF-TIME: 1 - 0
But it was a free kick opportunity that got us back into the game on 53 minutes as Miller was fouled contesting a long Cheadle pass on the edge of their box.
Bradford stepped up and hit a low shot past the wall and beyond Dennis for his second of the season.
And we should've taken the lead just a minute as the Guernsey defence twice failed to deal with a Bishop goal kick until Miller found himself one-on-one with Dennis whom managed to deflect the shot away before watching sub Levi Phillips turn the loose ball wide of the gaping net.
And it was a costly miss as our hosts retook the lead on the hour - Rihoy chased a chipped ball into our box before teeing up Young whom, after making some space, beat Bishop and the covering Cheadle with a left-footed shot from 10 yards.
Guernsey striker Ross Allen then became a thorn in our side - he first struck our crossbar with a close range effort on 68 minutes, then burst through and drew a foul from Bishop who had raced out of his area to contest the high ball.
Our net minder escaped with a yellow card and Guernsey rattled our crossbar again with the resultant free kick.
And we escaped yet again on 83 minutes as Rihoy took up a similar position as to his earlier assist but this time his pullback was smashed against our bar by an incoming teammate.
But we couldn't find another goal despite sub Peter Adeniyi making some space in their box in added time before teeing up Healy but his cross-shot was deflected away by a green shirt.
Match highlights and fan interviews can be viewed here.
Photos will be available soon.
Next up: We visit East Grinstead Town on Tuesday 17th October before we welcome Ashford United on Saturday 21st October.
Carshalton Athletic: Bishop; Healy, McLaughlin, Cheadle, Hamilton-Downes (c), Douglas (O'Toole - 66); Korboa, Bradford, Cave (Adeniyi - 66), Miller; J Phillips (L Phillips - 53)
Unused subs: Morath-Gibbs, Searle
Goal: Bradford (53)
Assist: Miller
Booked: Bishop, Cheadle, Hamilton-Downes
Guernsey: Dennis, Geall (c), Dodd, De La Mare, H Tobin, F Tobin, Rihoy, Dodds, Young, Allen (Skillen - 89), Gauvain (Pereira - 66)
Unused subs: Smith, Legg, Dyer
Goals: Rihoy (5), Young (60)
Booked: H Tobin, F Tobin
Attendance: 705
Current league position: 9th (21 points)