SAL - 2nd November 2002

A new kit (thanks to Neil Backers) and new training tops (thanks to Dave Etukudo) saw Carshalton in good spirits in the changing room with a determination to get back on track from the previous week's defeat.  Add to this the opposition arriving late and having no time for a warm up should have given us the edge in the opening period of this game.  However a sloppy start saw Finchleians go 1-0 up after 2 minutes in the first attack of the game!  Perhaps we were too busy trying to look good in the new kit, but the remainder of the first half was a poor display of football with Carshalton very immobile when we had the ball and lethargic when closing down the opposition. 

That said, we did create two good chances that went begging.  Finchleians seemed happy with the score and were using delaying tactics every time play was stopped.  Some words were said at half time and all were in agreement that we needed to raise our game to achieve the standard required, and that we know we can play to.  We did start brighter after the interval, passing the ball better and closing down the opposition.  Simon Clare was introduced up front after 55 minutes with Dave Leach playing just behind Simon & Matt Wigham.  On the hour we were level, a wonderful 25 yard strike by Keith Cave (or was it 40, Keith?) gave the Finchleians keeper no chance.  The goal was only surpassed by Keith's ever zealous celebrations - a point I'll return to later!

Unfortunately we then took our foot off the pedal again and the next 25 minutes was an even affair with chances at both ends. Two good saves from Neil Backers are well worth a mention.  However we did continue battling and two goals in the last 5 minutes saved our blushes, a Dave Etukudo header from a corner and some good work by Simon Clare set up Andy Cook for a close range finish in the dying moments.  The celebrations after Dave's goal received an abrupt reprimand by our ever alert sweeper to ensure that we continued to be focussed.  Thanks Keith, absolutely correct but do the words pot, kettle and black spring to mind?? 

Joking apart, this wasn't a good performance but we did get the result.  We can play considerably better than we did today, and will need to when we meet stronger teams to keep any promotion aspirations alive.

Paul Gunter