SAL Division 2 - 16th September 2006

I feel a little uncomfortable writing this match report given my ultimate contribution to the match, but as most of the first team cannot write it seems appropriate to pen a few words. 

The 1s entertained HSBC in the opening game of the new league campaign.  The 1s started with the now familiar 3-5-2 formation with Johnnie Phillips in the hole behind the front 2 of Wiggy and 1st team debutant Justin Said.  It's also worth mentioning that the 1st team had 11 outfield players under 24 in a squad 14, something I cannot ever remember happening.  

Keith Cave gave the team a short, punchy team talk focussing on strategy and players responsibilities in the line up (refreshing to say the least).   I rambled on about putting a marker down for the season and Wiggy said something about the weather and nice the pitch looked after the drought (no change there).  

The game kicked off and we started brightly,  we certainly had the better of the opening exchanges with both J Phillips and Justin looking very much like they had the pace and skill to trouble the gargantuan centre halves that HSBC had fielded.  In true Carshalton style, having had much the better of the first 20 minutes, a misplaced pass from defence found the HSBC striker (the one who always scores against Backers) and we were punished by a reasonably struck shot that in fairness, Backers, on most occasions would have gathered comfortably.  Certainly a blow after dominating.        

 The response from the side was fantastic; we increased the tempo, made thumping tackles all over the pitch and were rewarded with J Phillips cutting in from the left and calmly slotting past the keeper.  Within a few minutes we took the lead with a well worked goal.  Debutant Richard Webb (Webbo) crossing well to the far post for Scott Poulier to nod back to J Phillips for the simplest of headed goals.  Half time and having deservedly taken the lead, the mood in the changing room was very confident.

The second half kicked off and almost immediately, Cars increase the lead to 3-1.  Fine work down the flanks from Scott Poullier and Justin Said result in a simple chance for J Phillips to calmly complete his hat trick.

Normally in these positions, Carshalton having built a healthy lead begin to falter by letting the oppo back in the game and thus providing the spectators with a few scary moments.   We delivered once again but in fairness HSBC partly contributed to making the game much closer.  HSBC reverted to a 3-5-2 formation and brought on yet more players who were well over 6ft 3, I counted 5 in total at the end of the game.

HSBC continued to press, using their height advantage and deservedly got a goal back.  Backers was a little unlucky having made a superb save from a goal bound header but only to give the HSBC striker a simple tap in.

The closing 20 minutes of the game saw Cars on the defensive against an ever increasing aerial bombardment.  I picked up a yellow card for shirt pulling when the player was through on goal, albeit 40 yards from goal.   10 minutes later I was shown a second yellow for a committed but late tackle.  

The remaining 10 minutes of the game were tense but the players held out for a tight but on balance, deserved win.   

Great commitment and desire to get the result by the whole team in a very physical encounter.

Special mentions for J Phillips, 3 goals from midfield is outstanding.  A great debut from Justin Said. Scott Poulier and Webbo both impressed and both Andy Taylor and Richard Smith did more than enough when coming off the bench.

Shaun Swan