Friendly - 2nd September 2006 

Carshalton in the second of their pre season fixtures had to stage something of a second half revival, before eventually running out comfortable winners at the College Playing Fields, Old Schools Lane, Ewell against their second division rivals Old Salesians.

Despite Cars creating early chances for both midfielder Kevin Macleod and striker Paul Pearce, it was the hosts that opened the scoring in the 25^th minute, though the Salesians’ forward did look suspiciously offside before sliding the ball beyond Cars keeper Nick Denny.  However, the visitors were soon back on level terms – Pearce just managing to get a toe to the ball in the six-yard box to net at the far post.  The remainder of the half saw the teams pretty well matched until that is Cars conceded a sloppy free-kick some 30-yards out from their goal.  And, when the resulting kick was put up into the danger area, it deceived everyone including Denny, who could only watch as the ball hit the back of his net without seemingly anyone getting a touch on it.

After the break, Cars now with the advantage of the blustery conditions attacked their opponents goal with a renewed tempo, and it was no real surprise when after just three minutes of the second half they pulled level for a second time, courtesy of the host’s left-back, who put through his own goal under immense pressure from Macleod.  Having got the equaliser, Cars began to enjoy the loin’s share of possession and indeed territory, resulting in them playing the majority of their football in and around the Salesians’ 18-yard box.  Then, in the 76^th minute, substitute Sam Johnson rifled Cars in front with a long-range strike, which the Salesians’ keeper will probably feel he should have dealt with better.  Finally, in the last minute of the contest Cars sealed a convincing victory with undeniably the goal of the game – Lewis Cosgrove bursting into the box and firing hard and low into the bottom right-hand corner of the net to finish off a fabulous five pass move, which had seen the home defence torn asunder. 

Beddington Hotspur