AFA Surrey Senior Cup Preliminary Round - 28th September 2002

Two cry-offs on Saturday morning started a bad day for the Carshalton 1st XI.  Already without several key players we arrived at the ground with 11 men only and we had to juggle players from their normal positions to accommodate.  The manager needed to be the only substitute.  Totally unacceptable. 

The first 30 minutes of the game were quite even, with few chances to either side.  However on the half hour Carthusians were awarded a corner and a near post header converted this to a 1-0 lead.  Although a well taken goal, we could have defended it better.

Soon after this, Matt Wigham was injured and could not continue, and so the day went from bad to worse.  At half time the feeling was that we could still get a result out of the game, but soon into the second half we were 2-0 down, which made it harder.  From this point however, we came more into the game and started controlling things.  The players responded well and we had chances but could not convert. 

The nail in our coffin was the 3rd goal from a fast break as we were committing more players forward.  Again we responded very well and the players certainly didn't give this up.  A good passing move ended with nice skill and shot from Dave Tilley - 3-1.  We pushed forward again and with 5 minutes to go Dave Tilley made a good run & cross which Jake Endersby slotted home.  3-2 but unfortunately too late. 

Thanks to the players that turned up and battled through the knocks for 90 minutes. Hopefully they won't be let down like this again.

Paul Gunter

Due to two early morning drop-outs the first eleven were a bare eleven!  The gaffa on the sideline was a last minute substitute.  Not the greatest of starts to our cup campaign considering we had already lost four other senior players due to other commitments.  With a quick re-shuffle of the side minutes before kick off, Carshalton started slowly.  However the opposition weren't the best and did not create any clear cut chances.  Midway through the first half, just as we were beginning to piece together some promising attacks, Carthusians scored from a corner.  A large oaf scored a towering free header at the near post. 

Although we created a few good chances we failed to convert and were one nil down at half time.  The first half also saw our senior centre forward Matt Wigham leave the field injured.  Paul Gunter on, Cookie into midfield.  Dave Leach strained his groin and Dave Tilley received a dead leg and injured knee.  Excellent, all going well!!!!! 

In the second half the opposition tired and we started to play properly, creating numerous chances.  Then (cheers ref) a blatant offside (not interfering with play my bottom) was not given (he practically nutmegged it to the goal scorer) - 2-0. 

We changed formation, throwing Scott up front, and Jake into midfield in a 3-4-3 formation. They scored a good goal on the break!! For the remaining 20 minutes we walked all over them, scoring one outstanding individual effort (juggled the ball over the centre half twice after an good through ball and great control them lobbed the keeper. Ginola-esque).  Well done Dave Tilley.  Then Jake made a Brian Robson type run and netted from close range.  At 3 - 2 we had a chance.  Really, too little to late!

Loverly lads though, what what!

Andy Cook