AFA Senior Cup - 21st October 2006

The Long Awaited Victory

Saturday 21^st October saw not one but two momentous occasions.  The first team recorded their first win since the start of the season and Johnny Biggle turned 23.  Carshalton faced Old Minchendenians in the AFA Senior cup first round.  Seeing as they were from the Amateur Football Combination, this would be no walk over, but we entered the game with a lot of confidence.  The team had been playing well since we had reverted to our new 4-4-2 formation, but we were missing no less than 5 first team regulars.  As a result Martin Vincent was called up from the second team and started wide left.

Old Minchendenians kicked off the match in windy conditions; the pitch was in good condition and had benefited from the rain which slicked up the pitch, perfect for Carshalton's passing game.

In defence saw a return of our captain Shaun Swan and David Tilley.  Both started the game well, as did Old Minchendenians.  They popped the ball around well, utilising their very quick left winger; Justin Said knew he had a tough game on his hands.

Although the opposition had much of the early exchanges Carshalton looked comfortable and it was not long until Carshalton made the breakthrough.  The goal came through industrious work from Johnny Phillips who cut in from the left and unleashed a shot bound for the bottom right hand corner.  The keeper parried but only into the path of the on rushing Justin Said, who put the home team in front.  The goal came a little against the run of play.

Battles all over the pitch were being won.  As well as the defence holding strong, a re-jigged midfield were compact and the wide men broke with every opportunity.  Further evidence of this came when Jon Phillips was found on the left hand side of the area.  From an acute angle he saw his shot beat the keeper but roll along the goal line; no one had followed up and a good chance went begging.

5 minutes before half time Carshalton made it 2-0.  Richard Webb found Scott Poulier down the right in acres of space.  A cross into the danger area was met by Jon Phillips who calmly placed the ball passed a helpless keeper.  Carshalton went in at half time with a deserved lead; I can not recall Neil Backers making a save!

It was important to begin the second half well as they had been caught out the week before. Unfortunately Carshalton failed to start again and Old Minchendenians pushed for a foothold in the game.  Adam Fisk appeared to be everywhere and was supported well by Matt Wigham upfront.  The two combined again which saw Matt Wigham racing through only to have his shot saved well by the on rushing keeper.  If we had made it 3-0 who knows what the final score would have been?

It wasn’t too long until Old Minchendenians pulled a goal back with a very generous penalty, for little more than an aerial dual.  Old Minchendenians were back in the game; however Carshalton remained resolute until the final whistle.

Relief and jubilation greeted the final whistle, we had run our socks off and the win was our reward.  Special mentions to Justin Said, and Jon Phillips with the goals that saw us progress to the next round.

Scott Poulier