Match report - Thamesmead Town (h)

We continued our assault on the League summit with a hard-earned three points against Thamesmead Town, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news

Only one change from the team that beat Cray Wanderers last week with Omar Koroma replacing Peter Adeniyi. Ex-Robin Paul Vines lined-up for the visitors.

Kick-off

The players began basked in sunshine and buffeted by high winds but we made a quick start and had an appeal for a penalty in the third minute.

Ola Sogbanmu had the ball inside the visitors' area and it seemed Richard Avery blocked his attempted cross with an arm, but the referee waved played on.

Christie Pattisson was making his home debut and he had the fans on their feet on seven minutes - he burst through on a long crossfield ball before thrashing a firm half volley back across goal from 15 yards, but the ball flew agonisingly just over the crossbar.

He was at it again a few minutes later as he cut inside onto his left on the far side but, again, his shot went just wide of the far post.

Town hadn't offered much going forward and we finally broke the deadlock on 22 minutes - Harvey Brand caught Tommy Bradford inside the area and Koroma stepped up to confidently convert the spot-kick.

That seemed to jolt the visitors into life and they started to work our backline a bit more, but Billy Bishop was equal to their best chance as he dived to smother a Vines header.

HALF-TIME: 1 - 0

It came as a surprise when Town levelled five minutes after the break, but we were the masters of our own downfall.

We failed to deal with a ball into our box and Paris Hamilton-Downes' clearance in the six yard box was charged down by Anidugbe. Bobby Price then had a chance to clear but he could only hit Laurent Mendy whom then proceeded to nod the ball in from close range.

We then lost Price to an injury so Danny Dudley came on and, in fact, we weren't behind for very long.

We were patient in possession and eventually Cheadle took the ball on before delicately chipping in a cross which Koroma powerfully headed inside the near post.

Town keeper Lewis Carey made two top draw saves to deny Sogbanmu and Cheadle as time ticked on, but we were grateful to see Richard Pacquette flash a header over from 10 yards in added time.

Look out for match highlights and post-match interviews via robins.tv

Next up: We travel to Herne Bay on Saturday 3rd March before Molesey visit us on Saturday 10th March.

Carshalton Athletic: Bishop; Price (Dudley - 56), Morath-Gibbs, Hamilton-Downes (c), Cheadle; Bradford (Adeniyi - 83), Aziaya, Sogbanmu; Pattisson, Koroma, Sterling-Parker (Korboa - 46)

Unused subs: O'Sullivan, Murphy-McVey

Goals: Koroma (22 pen, 58)

Assists: Bradford, Cheadle

Booked: Sterling-Parker

Thamesmead Town: Carey, Brand, Danquah, Taiwo (Whitely - 76), Avery (c), Denny, Green (Pacquette - 76), Anidugbe, Vines, O'Connor, Mendy

Unused sub: Adelowo

Goal: Mendy (50)

Booked: Denny

Our 'Man of the Match': Jordan Cheadle

Attendance: 371

Current league position: 3rd on 71 points (Lewes 1st on 74)

Post-match interview - Christie Pattison

Forward Christie Pattison made a dream start to his Carshalton Athletic career on Saturday as his match-winner against Cray Wanderers opened up the Bostik South promotion race, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

We visited the then league leaders having only lost once in 18 league games, but we had to come from behind as goals from Jordan Cheadle and debutant Pattison earned us a 2-1 victory.

There's now only five points separating the top five and Pattison, whom signed from Phoenix Sports just over a week ago, was ecstatic to help his new club keep up our charge.

"As debuts go that was pretty good," smiled the 20-year old. "I've managed to get some space and Ola found my run. I only had time to take one touch but I got off a strong shot and it flew in.

"It was so pleasing to score and help the team win such a big game, and this kind of result will boost everyone's confidence."

It was a tight affair at Hayes Lane as the first-half ended goalless, but we were unfortunate to go behind on 51 minutes as Aaron Rhule's cross drifted inside of the far post.

But we rallied and Cheadle levelled matters 20 minutes later via a 30 yard free kick that left Cray keeper Nick Blue rooted to the spot.

Then two minutes later Pattison, whom no doubt would've debuted a week earlier had our trip to current league leaders Lewes not been postponed, endeared himself to the fans with the eventual winner.

"That game being called off helped in one way however because I got to bond and train with my new teammates for longer before a real game," he added.

"Everyone was happy after Saturday's result but the boss reminded us that we've still not won anything yet. There's still plenty of games to go, and more big ones like the trip to Lewes, so we have to keep focused."

We are next at home against Thamesmead Town on Saturday 24th February (kick-off 3pm).

Match report - Cray Wanderers (a)

We won this clash of promotion hopefuls as two second-half wonder strikes helped us see off Cray Wanderers, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news

New signing Christie Pattison was handed his debut and Ola Sogbanmu returned for Omar Koroma and Danny Dudley respectively.

Kick-off

Hayes Lane was bathed in sunlight as the game begun and Raheem Sterling-Parker teed up Jordan Cheadle on the edge of Cray’s box but, under pressure, his side-footed effort in the third minute bent wide of the far post.

Billy Bishop was called into early action as he got down low to deny Dadson and, thankfully, Michael Power steered the rebound wide from close range.

The fast start to the game remained as Jay Leader’s speculative shot from distance was tipped round by Bishop and, after a poor corner delivery, we broke with Peter Adeniyi finding Michael Aziaya.

Our midfielder looked up and fed a lovely through ball for Sterling-Parker to race onto but keeper Nick Blue spread himself and blocked the dinked shot.

Both sides were happy to allow each other possession in their respective halves, but defences were on top when attacks threatened to start looking tasty.

We almost unlocked the door on 28 minutes as Sogbanmu lost, but then subsequently regained, possession just outside the Cray 18-yard box. He shuffled the ball into Pattison whom cut inside and lifted an inviting cross towards the incoming Sterling-Parker but the delivery was millimetres too high.

The home side won a free kick on 39 minutes as Paris Hamilton-Downes halted a forward run by Power 20 yards from goal, but Bishop comfortably gathered Dent’s low strike on goal.

We almost finished the half with a flourish as Pattison showed good determination down the right to get past a couple of opponents and into the box. His square ball was met by a combination of Sterling-Parker and a defender and the ball agonisingly rolled wide of the near post.

The referee awarded us a corner that was met by the oncoming Kalvin Morath-Gibbs but the bouncing ball came off his thigh and flew wide as he failed to set himself properly.

HALF-TIME: 0 – 0

It did seem like something special, or indeed comical, or maybe controversial would break the deadlock in this one but it turned out to be pure simple luck.

Cray’s Aaron Rhule won possession by the centre circle and set off towards goal, eventually getting down the far side of our box. He knocked a cross over towards the back post area and the ball sailed just inside the far post.

We responded straightaway as Bobby Price galloped forward a minute later but his angled drive was well held by Blue.

Tommy Bradford and Sterling-Parker combined on the hour mark and the latter’s cross found Sogbanmu by the penalty spot. He managed to steady himself and get a shot off, but an outstretched defensive leg blocked the ball away.

But we kept plugging away and, on 71 minutes, Pattision made a driving run through the middle of the pitch before being hauled down 30 yards from goal.

Up stepped Cheadle – he hadn’t scored since November but he left Blue rooted as he angled his free kick just under the top near corner for his sixth of the season.

And our travelling fans were overjoyed just two minutes later as Sogbanmu was found with a throw in and he spun to play in Pattison whom took a touch with his right before rifling a left-footed effort beyond Blue.

We had a chance to add a gloss to the final score on 87 minutes as sub Ricky Korboa found himself on the ball six yards from goal but, although he managed to get the ball over the oncoming Blue, he lifted his shot off target.

All the goals, highlights and post-match interviews are available via robins.tv

Next up: We play host to Thamesmead Town on Saturday 24th February. We then travel to Herne Bay on Saturday 3rd March.

Carshalton Athletic: Bishop; Price, Morath-Gibbs, Hamilton-Downes (c), Cheadle; Sogbanmu (Dudley - 89), Aziaya, Adeniyi; Bradford, Sterling-Parker (O'Sullivan - 80), Pattison (Korboa - 77)

Unused subs: Healy, Koroma

Goals: Cheadle (72), Pattison (75)

Assists: Pattison, Sogbanmu

Booked: Hamilton-Downes, Korboa

Cray Wanderers: Blue, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Henry (Frieter - 79), Carpenter (c), Dent, Power (McDonald - 57), Rhule, Dadson (Scott - 68)

Unused subs: Evans, Vines

Goal: Rhule (51)

Booked: Rhule, Dent, Carpenter, Williams, Leader

Our 'Man of the Match': Michael Aziaya

Attendance: 318

Current league position: 4th (68 points - Lewes lead with 71)

New date - Lewes (a)

Our trip to Lewes has been rearranged for Wednesday 21st March (KO 7.45pm).

Match postponed - Lewes (a)

Today's game at Lewes (10/02/18) is unfortunately off due to a frozen pitch. Please do not travel. A re-arranged date will be made in due course.

Match report - Hythe Town (h)

It was a hard-earned three points as we eventually completed a League double over visiting Hythe Town, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Team news

Peter Adeniyi, Paris Hamilton-Downes and Raheem Sterling-Parker all came into the side, while new signing Rian O'Sullivan, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, was named on the bench.

Kick-off

It was a wet and grey afternoon as the game began in light drizzle and the first real opening didn't arrive until the 13th minute.

Adeniyi poked a through ball for Sterling-Parker to latch onto but, from a narrow angle, our top scorer bent a shot just over the top far corner.

Defences were certainly on top as the forwards found it difficult to win much in the air, although Zak Ansah hit a bobbling shot across Billy Bishop's goal from 18 yards.

Hamilton-Downes fancied his chances from 20 yards on 22 minutes but failed to hit the target as chances were kept at a premium.

But we finally broke the deadlock just after the half-hour as Sterling-Parker was played in down the left and he cut inside Michael Turner before unleashing a low shot that curled inside the bottom far corner.

Our joy was short-lived however as, less than four minutes later, the lively Ryan Palmer delivered a cross from deep and Dos Santos got free to plant a header beyond Bishop from seven yards.

Town threatened again on 40 minutes as Webster picked out an unmarked Chris Kinnear 20 yards from goal. The midfielder powered a shot which took a slight nick off the covering Hamilton-Downes and the ball thankfully crashed off the crossbar.

And the visitors had an opportunity to take the lead just before the break after Kinnear was bundled over by Michael Aziaya, but Ryan Palmer bent the free kick wide of the far post.

HALF-TIME: 1 - 1

Ola Sogbanmu was introduced for the start of the second-half but defences continued to dominant proceedings.

Adeniyi and Bradford combined to get Koroma a glimpse of goal, but a defensive leg stretched out to block. At the other end and Bishop was alive to a burst forward by Chapman to smother the ball travelling fast on the slick surface.

Sogbanmu and then Koroma did well to flick on a Billy Bishop clearance on 55 minutes and Sterling-Parker burst beyond the Town defence, but his first touch was heavy and it gave Godmon the chance to come out and eventually block our man's eventual shot away.

In hindsight it always seemed the two sides would be separated by 'something' and we given a chance to take the lead from the spot on 72 minutes.

Bradford played a delightful through ball for Adeniyi to run onto beyond the Town backline. Godmon did well to slide out and block the ball away with his legs, as our player/manager considered rounding him, but the ball found it's way back to Bradford.

He came forward with purpose and was up-ended by a late challenge by Godmon just inside the area - once the dust had settled, and the referee dished out several talking-tos, Koroma calmly stroked home his eighth goal in eight appearances.

And we held on for the three points, with both sub Ricky Koboa and Bradford denied by Godmon late on, ahead of consecutive visits to the only two clubs above us in the league - Lewes and then Cray Wanderers.

Match highlight and post-match interviews coming soon via robins.tv

Next up: We travel to league leaders Lewes on Saturday 10th February. We then visit Cray Wanderers on Saturday 18th February.

Carshalton Athletic: Bishop; Price, Morath-Gibbs, Dudley (Sogbanmu - 46), Cheadle; Hamilton-Downes (c), Adeniyi, Aziaya; Bradford, Koroma, Sterling-Parker (Korboa - 80)

Unused subs: Healy, O'Sullivan, Murphy-McVey

Goals: Sterling-Parker (32), Koroma (76 pen)

Assists: Cheadle, Bradford

Hythe Town: Godmon, Turner, Webster, Kinnear, Johnson (c), Dickenson, Campbell, Chapman (Phillips - 80), Ansah, Dos Santos, Palmer

Unused subs: Stirmen, Owen, Nurden, Capel

Goal: Dos Santos (36)

Booked: Godmon, Webster

Our 'Man of the Match': Michael Aziaya

Attendance: 335

Current league position: 3rd on 65 points (Lewes 1st with 68)