Carshalton Athletic match report
match report by Rupert Cane
Kingstonian showed signs of life in our first game for 19 days, but unfortunately the outcome was an all-too familiar one as Carshalton ran out 1-0 winners at Colston Avenue.
The only goal was scored by the Robins’ right-back Crossley Lema shortly before the half-hour mark. It had been an even contest up until that point, and thereafter K’s were certainly the better team, but once again mustering clear chances proved problematic. It is now one goal scored in our past five league games.
To address that issue Spencer Knight has made a flurry of signings in attacking areas. Joseph Boachie and Great Evans made their debuts up front, while Josh Ogunseye was playing his third game on the right wing.
There were two debutants in defence, too, experienced Isthmian operators Danny Dudley and Chevron McLean adding solidity to our backline.
K’s started with purpose at a sunny but cold Colston Avenue, Lee Lewis’s fierce free-kick calling Danny Bracken into action for the first time. But Lema’s free header from a corner in the 27th minute put Knight’s side on the back foot.
Evans got in behind and drew a decent save from Bracken low to his left, with the ball touched away before Ogunseye could pounce on the rebound. Boachie fired into the side-netting with virtually the last kick of the half, and K’s would build on that momentum in the second period.
Boachie was making his presence increasingly felt, and some nimble footwork inside the D created a space for a toepoked shot that was blocked before it could test Bracken. K’s appeals for handball fell on deaf ears.
A succession of dangerous set-piece deliveries by Lewis and Ogunseye caused some panic in the hosts’ rearguard but amounted to little more than half-chances, Lewis stinging Bracken’s palms with one.
Sub Kieron Cadogan had a shot blocked as the game entered its final quarter, and Lewis headed an Ogunseye cross wide as Carshalton showed why they have won 1-0 in five of their 11 home games this season.
For K’s, the miserable run of form away from home goes on, not ideal preparation with four of next six league fixtures on the road. Next up, though, is a crunch home game against relegation rivals Corinthian-Casuals, with K’s in desperate need of three points.
Carshalton Athletic: Danny Bracken, Crossley Lema, Ollie Cook, Alex Akrofi, Kurtis Cumberbatch, Gus Sow, Femi Akinwande, Tommy Bradford, Bradley Williams, Leo Hamblin, Calvin Ekpiteta.
Subs: Aaron Smith-Joseph (for Alex Akrofi, 74m), Anton Barnett, Matthew Vigor (for Tommy Bradford, 66m), Joseph Barker.
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Dwight Pascal, Chevron McLean, Declan Skura, Danny Dudley, Tyrese Owen, Lee Lewis, Sean Bonnett-Johnson, Great Evans, Joe Boachie, Joshua Ogunseye.
Subs: Jake Eales, Kwesi Ntim (for Lee Lewis, 90m), Kieron Cadogan (for Great Evans, 64m), Michael Abnett, O'Shane Stewart
Goal scorer: Crossley Lema (27m, 1-0)
Attendance: 484
