Matches

LUCKY FREDDY'S LATE LATE SHOW by Carol Smith-Allen

After a successful but unconvincing victory over Egham Town in last weeks Bryco Cup Tie, Blues produced one of their best performances and wins of the season, against second from top Carshalton Athletic at The War Memorial Sports Ground.

Although lively and entertaining, the first half saw little in the way of goal mouth action, with all but one of the chances falling to Blues. On 5 minutes, Freddy Eastwood, having been set-up by the instrumental Leroy Griffiths, failed to find the target, blasting the ball narrowly wide of the post. Blues best chance came just past the half-hour mark, Griffiths and Eastwood combining superbly to find Martin Carthy unmarked in the box. With a more composed finish Blues could have taken the lead, but the skipper ‘spooned’ his chance well over the bar. On the stroke of half-time Griffiths and Eastwood linked-up yet again, though Eastwood misfired once more when well placed.

For their part the Robins produced only one first-half effort of any real note. On 25 minutes, Danny Bolt, under pressure from keeper Mel Capleton, failed to make the best of a good cross from Dale Marvell.

The second half started with chances for both teams. For the home side Matt York drove narrowly over the bar after being found by Nic McDonnell, while at the other end Martin Carthy slotted narrowly wide of the upright, following good work from the tireless Griffiths. Almost immediately, the rebound from a shot by Lee Williams was picked up by Stuart Thurgood, but his effort went just wide.

After a period of play in which Blues enjoyed most of the possession, Griffiths drew an excellent save from Robin’s keeper, Stuart Searle.

Shortly afterwards, Blues may well have lost the services of leading scorer Freddy Eastwood. The striker was extremely fortunate to stay on the pitch, receiving only a yellow card from referee Mellack, for his dreadful challenge on a Robin’s defender.

In the last ten minutes, Carshalton created three scoring opportunities, all falling to substitute Conrad Kane, who had replaced Nic McDonnell. The first being driven over the bar, the second going just wide of the target, and the third in the last minute of normal time, leaving Blues fans with their hearts in their mouths, as his shot clipped the outside of the woodwork. In amongst these chances was a gilt-edged opening for Eastwood at the other end, but the striker failed to convert a chance that he would have taken nine times out of ten, possibly still thinking about his close encounter with an early bath.

Just when it seemed that Grays would not turn their impressive performance into something tangible, Freddy Eastwood struck twice in time added on. Firstly, getting ahead of the Robin’s defence to head home a Joe Bruce cross, and then as Carshalton looked to push forward, breaking through to coolly slot past keeper Searle.

Blues thoroughly deserved their three points, but will feel that the win could have been more emphatic, but for several dubious decisions by the officials. The travelling fans certainly felt that (the Eastwood incident apart) Blues did not get the ‘rub of the green’ on many occasions. So incensed were they that Grays Manager Mark Stimson rose from the bench to gesture for calmness.

Stimson will be encouraged by a classy all-round team performance, the back four looking tight, the midfield in control, and the forwards sharp if a little wasteful at times.

Teams:-
Carshalton Athletic:- Searle, McGibbon, Wood, Bouadji, Hawthorne, Elliott, Marvell, York, Russell, McDonnell, Bolt Subs:- Kane, Taylor, Hartburn, Dack, Henriques
Grays Athletic:- Capleton, Williams, Robinson, Lunan, Youds, Thurgood, Bruce, Carthy, Eastwood, Hazleden, Griffiths Subs:- Olayinka, Anderson, Remy, Stimson, Barrett

Referee:- F. Mellack

Attendance:- 400

Your comments

Was not there unfortunally but a great result well done Blues and of course our scoring machine Freddy

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