Carshalton headed to Roehampton knowing that only 3 points would suffice if they were to maintain their chances for promotion.  Having turned Bank of England over 2-1 earlier in the season (a result that somewhat flattered the opposition, if I remember correctly) they went into the game bristling with confidence.  A lengthy spell of pre-match shooting practice was followed by an inspiring team talk again from manager Keith Cave before he sent his team out.

Carshalton started the game quickly, first into every challenge and setting the pace of the game.  Bank were finding it hard to cope.  For all the pressure and effort it took a while for Carshalton to break the deadlock. Luke played a lovely ball into the channel for some anonymous player who held off his man and squared it to Wiggy at the far post who did all he could to miss but his luck was in and the ball crashed in off the bar (from 2 yards out).  Not too long after, Carshalton caught Bank on the counter attack.  They broke with pace and Fisky played the ball to Wiggy who in turn played in the anonymous player who struck it past the advancing keeper for 2-0.  Carshalton were cruising and were looking for more. As the first half wound down Bank started to enjoy spells of possession as Carshalton had a breather but they didn’t manage to threaten the Cars’ goal.

At half time the outcome looked a foregone conclusion.  Bank looked like the sort of team staring relegation in the face and Carshalton looked like they wanted out of the 2nd division in the opposite direction.  The second half started and Bank of England showed a bit more passion; challenging for the ball and not letting Carshalton have too much space on this Wembley proportioned pitch.  Carshalton still looked the more likely to score though and midway through the half some brilliant play down the left flank involving Wiggy, Luke and Dave Tilley resulted in a peach of a ball from Dave across the face of the goal where the Bank defence stood in admiration and the anonymous guy nodded home his second of the afternoon.  At this point Cars’ felt the game was won and relaxed quite a bit.  Too much in fact, allowing Bank to come close on a couple of occasions.  Dave Tilley made a goal saving challenge in the box.  15 minutes from time Carshalton lost the ball sloppily in the Bank half and their centre midfield played a defence splitting ball for the forward to slot home past Neil for what was clearly only a consolation goal.

The game was stretched now with Bank somehow thinking they could claw the game back and Carshalton could have added a couple more, Webbo making a storming run the entire length of the pitch but as he went to shoot his legs couldn’t go any further.

Full time and a very deserved 3 points for Carshalton who now need to win their last game of the season at home against Polytechnic.  A super performance from everybody.  The defence looked impenetrable for the majority of the game, the midfield was workmanlike and creative and the strikeforce was clinical. Dave Tilley stood out for me today (well done Dave, again) but I’m sure the crowd left thinking “Who was that anonymous guy?”.  Here’s a clue: He wears a cape and goes simply by the name of JP.

Jonny Phillips
Carshalton Football Club Match Reporter of the Year