Carshalton Athletic match report
match report by Simon Grier
Kingstonian extended their unbeaten run to five games, albeit with a large slice of fortune when Ollie Cook equalised right at the death.
The occasion felt low-key throughout with neither side having anything to play for but it was the visitors who threatened first, Danny Bassett forcing Julian Schwarzer to save at his near post.
Simon Cooper forced Lloyd Thomas into a good save after he headed a Kenny Beaney free kick goalwards, although it would have been ruled out for offside anyway.
The Robins took the lead on 16 minutes. Luke Read headed a Dan Bennett corner onto the bar but in the melee that followed Eze Ebezuome tripped Harry Ottaway. Schwarzer saved Bassett’s penalty with his legs but the Carshalton man reacted first to convert the rebound.
Ks’ only other chance of the half came when Walter Figueira tried to direct a Kershaney Samuels shot goalwards but he miscontrolled.
Ks have struggled to keep a consistent centre-back pairing all season and that was typified in this game, with Hayden Bird replacing Cooper and Alfie Young at half time, bringing Cook and Declan Skura on in their place. Skura appeared to handball in the penalty box almost immediately but fortunately for Ks the referee turned down the visitors’ appeals.
Schwarzer again saved well from Bassett at the near post while for Ks, Kenny Beaney’s vicious 25-yarder was tipped narrowly over. Carshalton broke from the Ks corner though and Schwarzer again had to do well to deny Bassett.
Ks looked better as the second half went on but still struggled to convert threatening positions into meaningful chances. A Nyren Clunis cross fizzed low through the box with no-one on the receiving end. Meanwhile Carshalton looked to run the clock down without offering much more attacking threat.
With the six minutes injury time already expired though, fortune favoured Ks. D’sean Theobalds’ shot slammed into Tommy Bradford’s arm from point blank range and the referee surprisingly gave a penalty. Cook stepped up and although Thomas parried out his penalty, just like Bassett he was first to the ball and scored at the second time of asking.
A vintage performance it wasn’t but hopefully the late goal has given Ks a confidence boost going into Wednesday’s crucial Surrey Cup semi-final against Chertsey.
Kingstonian: Julian Schwarzer, Nyren Clunis, Eze Ebuzoeme, Simon Cooper, Alfie Young, Kenny Beaney, Alex Addai, D'sean Theobalds, Daniel Ajakaiye, Walter Figueira, Kershaney Samuels.
Subs: Ollie Cook (for Alfie Young, HT), Teo Kurtaran (for Kershaney Samuels, 74m), Lewis Pearch, Declan Skura (for Simon Cooper, HT), Mason Whitnell.
Carshalton Athletic: Lloyd Thomas, Bobby Price, Paris Hamilton-Downes, Luke Read, Abdul Sankoh, Daniel Bennett, Danny Bassett, Bradley Williams, Harry Ottaway, Tommy Bradford, Daniel Roberts.
Subs: Lewis White, Malakai Hyman, Oreofe Bello (for Harry Ottaway, 90m), Marc Gballou Lida (for Daniel Roberts, 86m), Daniel Pappoe.
Goal scorers: Danny Bassett (16m, 0-1), Ollie Cook (90m+8, 1-1)
Attendance: 286
