SAL - 20th April 2004

Carshalton manager Neil Edwards fielded one of the youngest 1^st XI line-ups in many a recent year here at Beddington Park on Tuesday evening for this eagerly awaited encounter against an unbeaten Nottsborough side that had already deservedly won the Division 2 title.  Edwards, having put his faith in youth alongside the old guard of Neil Backers, Keith Cave, Garry Baker, Shaun Swan and Mark Raven was duly rewarded as he watched his side produce perhaps the best display from a Cars team this season, fully playing their part in a marvellous end-to-end game that was a fantastic advertisement for SAL football.

The young Cars side couldn’t have made a worst start to the game when after only 5 minutes Nottsborough opened the scoring.  The visitors having won a corner on the right drilled the ball low into the six yard box where it found its way to the prolific Steve Whitelock who clipped it over the diving Backers and high into the Cars net. Nottsborough went looking to double their lead with Cars indebted to Backers when he pulled off a fine save from a fiercely driven volley.  Just minutes later though, Backers was again beaten, but this time the woodwork came to Cars' rescue, the ball striking the near post.  Cars gradually played their way back into the contest which saw them at last putting the Nottsborough defence under pressure, forcing the keeper into two great saves.  With the half time interval looming Cars’ midfielder Rory O’Brien collected the ball on the edge of the 18-yard area after Nottsborough had failed to clear their lines from a Cars corner.  Having controlled the ball O’Brien turned inside and sent over a speculative cross-cum-shot which, with the keeper off his line, sailed over him and dropped in at the far post for a deserved equaliser.  Despite Nottsborough creating a further couple of half chances the teams went in at the break all square.

The second half got underway with it immediately evident that the home side had raised their game; indeed they may well have taken the lead but for a smart save by their keeper from an early Adam Taylor shot.  However, at times in these early exchanges Cars were mere spectators as their opponents gave them a master class in the art of passing and movement off the ball.  Cars should have gone behind when Nottsborough's Whitelock found himself in front of an empty net after rounding Backers in the Cars goal.  This time though the striker was unable to hit the target due to an incredible last ditch challenge from Cave that resulted in the ball spinning up onto the bar and going out for a corner.  As the two sets of players began to tire, the inevitable gaps began to appear across the pitch, which led to chances at both ends.  Cars’ Dave Tilley got on the end of a good cross hitting the bar from 8 yards with a terrific header whilst at the other end Nottsborough fired in shots from all angles and all distances, the best of these, an acrobatic volley that flashed just wide of the left upright and a 30 yard free kick that Backers was relieved to see deflected over his bar.  Twenty minutes of this pulsating confrontation remained when Cars boss Edwards went for the win, introducing Paul Pearce and Gary Cummings to the fray, gambling on their pace unlocking the Nottsborough defence.  Edwards’ double substitution almost paid dividends immediately as Pearce got on the end of a cross from the left wing, unfortunately for Cars the right winger couldn’t get a full contact on the ball and his shot went tamely wide.  Having checked his watch several times the referee was just seconds away from blowing for time when Cars nearly snatched a dramatic winner.  Pearce having gone past the left back sent over a super cross for Raven who just failed to convert under severe pressure from the centre back, the ball for Cars climbing agonisingly over the bar.  The final whistle sounded with the players from both teams receiving a good round of applause from the appreciative spectators massed on the pavilion balcony. 

MOM, an easy call to make this week - the team in green.  An absolute credit to the Club.  Special mention goes to Keith Cave who on the hour mark produced a moment of sheer magic, the like of which probably never before seen at Beddington Park and likely not to be repeated.  The centre forward bearing down on him, Cave pulled the ball out the air and down onto his right boot, flicking it over his bemused opponent he ran around him taking the ball on his right boot for a second time, then stepping inside, he played a slide rule pass out of defence to cries of ‘silky smooth’ from his adoring fans on the touchline.  Yes, this match really was that good.  

Finally, congratulations to Nottsborough on winning the title and all the best for life in the top flight next season.  Hopefully, it won’t be too long before Carshalton are back up there with you.

Beddington Hotspur