SAL Division 2 – 12th November 2005

Carshalton climbed to the top of the second division on Saturday with an emphatic victory at Beddington Park over an Old Stationers side that they simply brushed aside, totally outplaying them in all departments and, in the process producing probably their best football of the season thus far.  The only surprise perhaps was that Cars didn’t score more goals; especially in a second half when they were seemingly able to create openings at will, which inevitably threw up numerous goal-scoring opportunities.

Straight from the kick-off Cars went on the attack and forced the game’s first corner after just 30 seconds.  The home side clearly dominated the early exchanges with chances falling to both Shane Bowes and Paul Pearce.  Bowes it was who had the best of these, which he fired wide of the near post after Steve Powell had found him with a superb through ball.  The opening goal arrived on 11 minutes, coming from what has already this early in the season become something of a trademark set play for Cars.  Stuart Jefferys’ long throw to the near post being met and flicked on by Alex Corner for Pearce to nod home from the edge of the six-yard box.  In the 21^st minute the best move of the day should have seen Pearce get his, and indeed Cars’ second goal of the afternoon.  However, the Stationer’s keeper pulled off a great save to deny Pearce who’d met an excellent cross from Bowes who in turn had received a great ball along the touchline fro Jefferys.  With the half-time interval looming the visitors enjoyed a rare foray into the Cars penalty area, which resulted in them winning their first corner of the afternoon.  Unfortunately for Stationers though the corner was well defended by Cars who quickly turned defence into attack with Andy Clower curling a delightful pass around the left-back to send Pearce bursting clear and into the 18-yard area where he struck the post with a ferocious left foot shot.  The rebound fell kindly for Pearce who would then have doubled Cars’ lead but for the intervention of the outstretched arm of the Stationer’s centre-back.  The match official Mr. Lane showed no hesitation in making an obvious penalty award but incredibly he failed to produce his red card much to the astonishment of players and spectators alike.  Jefferys made no mistake with the spot kick, which he dispatched straight down the middle, sending Cars in at the break two up and in total command of the contest.

The second half started much as the first had with Cars well on top and playing the ball around nicely, displaying an altogether more patient approach than that shown in recent games; indeed, so well were Cars retaining possession at this point that the visitors were simply unable to get out of their own half.  An opening on 55 minutes for Corner, which saw him heading wide from a Powell cross, was quickly followed by a 20-yard effort from Jefferys that hit the far post - the Stationers keeper being reduced to a mere spectator.  Incredibly, just two minutes later a speculative cross-cum-shot saw Jefferys strike the other post.  At the other end Terry Vinson in the Cars goal was at last called into action in the 65^th minute when at the second attempt he gathered the Stationers’ left-wingers low daisy cutter type shot.  The third Cars goal that had looked a certainty since the teams had come back out after the break, finally arrived in the 73^rd minute when a superb run and cross to the near post from substitute Johnny Phillips allowed Pearce to slot home from close-range.  Immediately from the restart Stationers would have reduced the deficit but for a tremendous reaction save from Vinson – the Cars keeper tipping over a header from the Stationers centre-forward who’d climbed above everyone in the box.  For the remainder of the game Cars were camped in and around their opponents’ 18-yard box and, when the final whistle arrived it must have come as quite a relief for the visitor’s overworked defenders.

Although this win had come against the side currently occupying the second division’s bottom berth, it had nevertheless been a very good performance from an improving Cars side that is at last beginning to recapture the form of last season.  Particularly impressive today was Cars’ latest recruit Badgie who, in the holding role given him by Cars manager Ian Lewis, was undoubtedly the MOM.  Without a game next week, Cars do not play again now until the last Saturday in November when they’ll travel to the Enfield Grammar School ground, home of Enfield Old Grammarians for a third round AFA Intermediate Cup tie.                  

Beddington Hotspur