SAL - 12th December 2009

Following the farcical cancellation of last week's home fixture, when Kew Association (who run 8 sides) called off the match at 11.30am because they couldn't get a team out, it was just nice to get back on the pitch. Alleyn Old Boys are one of several sides clustering near the top of Division 2 so it was vital that Carshalton 1st XI put in a strong performance, particularly after their first league defeat of the season at the hands of Norseman.

The pitch was tacky and testing after the recent rain but Carshalton started the game strongly winning all the 50/50 challenges and looking up for the challenge. Billy Tilley was the early hero after a bursting run down the left hand channel was picked out by someone, I'm guessing Dave Tilley but could be wrong, with a fantastic ball and he calmly chipped the oncoming keeper.

Carshalton continued to compete well but were almost undone after the referee awarded a soft free-kick on the edge of the box. The resulting free kick was dipping under the bar but Martin Bruce pulled off a sensational finger tip save onto the crossbar. Alleyns looked bright on the break and there were a couple of off-side decisions that went our way which looked close and would have resulted in one-on-ones but on the balance of play we deserved our lead. The pivotal moment however came when the Alleyns striker burst through on goal chipped the ball past Martin Bruce and with the oppo's striker looking certain to tap the ball into an open net. Super-Webbo came from nowhere to reach the ball first and somehow end up winning a free-kick. It was a brilliant piece of defending from a player who this season has become the most consistent performer in our team....and yes it is for being consistently good!!

As the second half wore on Cars began to press for a second. After a nice passing move on the edge of the box Dave Tilley played the ball into the path of Webbo, bursting forward, and he struck the ball beautifully but just inches too high. Moments later a Clare corner was curling goalwards but the keeper palmed it to safety, but the resulting corner from Dave Tilley caused confusion in the Alleyns box and after Andy Taylor had seen his shot cleared off the line, Tom Ritchie swung his left foot hopefully at the ball and leathered it into the top left hand corner off the defenders head.

The second half began with Alleyns carving out a great chance to pull one back when their striker went through one on one and with Martin Bruce doing his Kamikaze charge out of his goal, the Old Boy striker completely botched his attempted chip. That said the best chances of the half all fell to Carshalton with James Horton twice surging forward from left back, picking up great through balls from (i'm still guessing Dave Tilley or maybe Adam Fisk or was it Andy Taylor..Oh I don't know!). On the first occasion he took a touch, waited for the keeper to sell himself, picked his spot and missed the left hand post by 5 feet. On the second occasion he sensibly opted for power rather than placement and this time struck the inside of the right post with the ball rebounding straight back across to him. Minutes later Adam Taylor burst through but saw his shot tipped onto the post.

All in all it was very professional and hard working performance by a Carshalton side against a decent Alleyn Old Boys team with the match played in an excellent spirit. Now the 1st XI head to Lloyds TSB next Saturday where 3 points will see us go into the Christmas break at worst second in the table and hopefully on top. Man of the match was Webbo, again, and the whole team would like to thank Alex Corner for his excellent contribution to our great start this season and wish him the best of luck on his three month sex-tour to China....oh apparently its a skiing job in Canada. Not quite as fun but certainly less sleazy.

Simon Clare