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Carshalton’s cup adventures are set to continue for a while longer yet after they won an enthralling game here at Beddington Park on Saturday against a very good Old Esthameians team currently lying second in the first division. On paper this match promised to be the tie of the round – it didn’t disappoint.

As the game got underway it was quite clear that both these sides were prepared to play the game the way it should be played, some of the passing and movement off the ball coming straight from the top drawer. Although the defences seemed to be on top in the early exchanges, each side created a couple of half chances, but neither could turn these into goals. The game was taken to another level in the 20th minute, when the home side opened the scoring from a move that was just brimming with quality.  Michael Tilley won the ball in the centre circle and immediately spread the play out wide to Paul Pearce who in turn played a delightful one-two with Tony Edwards, on receiving the return pass, Pearce knocked the ball past the full back leaving him for dead, drew the keeper, had time to look up, and then slide an exquisite pass to Ryan Polley, who having timed his run to perfection had the simplest of tap ins. With both sets of defenders still proving difficult to breakdown, half time arrived without any further scoring opportunities.

Charlie Sinclair gave an inspired half time team talk leaving the Cars player’s in no doubt what was expected of them in the second half.  The visitors, desperate to get back into the contest, raised their game after the interval and were looking dangerous on the break, but the Cars back four superbly marshalled by skipper Dean Tomlinson stood resolute and firm whenever called into action.  The team in green and white were showing a grit and determination that has perhaps been lacking in recent games, but knew they would require an all-important second goal. The tie was nearing the 70 minute mark when yet again Pearce attacked the Esthameian’s left back only to find himself brought down for the umpteenth time.  From the resulting free kick Edwards saw his shot well saved by the keeper, however the referee had spotted an encroachment by a player in the Esthameian’s wall and ruled that the kick be retaken.  On this occasion Polley took the kick and saw his shot cannon into the wall, but when the ball came back to him, he sent an absolute screamer from his right boot crashing into the net to put his side two up and give them the cushion they had needed.  Just 10 minutes later the game as a contest was over, Polley going on a magnificent run that came to a halt only when he was bowled over by the right back, giving the man in black, an easy decision to make in awarding the penalty.  Edwards stepped up to take the kick that the keeper did well to parry out, unfortunately for the keeper Edwards won the race for the loose ball and scrambled it home.  Esthameian heads were now understandably down and inevitably this led to Cars being presented with chances late on to increase their tally.  Pearce seeing an effort ruled out for offside and also having a one on one well saved by the keeper.  The game was into stoppage time when the visitors were given the chance to get a consolation goal from the spot, Alex Booker adjudged to have pushed their centre forward in the area.  The penalty kick was driven straight down the middle where home keeper Ross Sinclair stood his ground to make a tremendous save, thus maintaining his side’s record of having not conceded in the competition this season.  When the referee finally blew for time, the delight on the faces of the Carshalton players was clear for all to see and said it all.  They had enjoyed putting one over their first division opponents.

This was a great performance and a fully deserved victory from what was probably the strongest 2^nd XI the club has fielded for a few seasons.  There were many fine individual performances; indeed in the dressing room after the game, anyone of the Cars players could have staked their claim to be the man of the match.  The reporter’s MOM though is Gary Cummings; he was outstanding throughout and undoubtedly had his best game ever in Carshalton colours, doing everything and more that was asked of him in midfield.

Beddington Hotspur