Click on back button to return... 

A first double of the season for Carshalton 3s which puts us right back in promotion contention.  Two big games to come whilst I'm on holiday, Civil Service away and Old Esthameians at home, so we need to get 4 points out of these fixtures to continue our momentum.  It's a period of rebuilding for the 3s as most of the young flair players have quite rightly been snaffled up to the 2s and 1s.  Interesting though that no players have been dropped into the 3s from above, so either the 1s and 2s have 15 a side each week or (more likely) players who should be dropping down can't be bothered to play for anyone but the top two sides, which is disappointing to say the least. 

As with the win against BB Eagles this was another gutsy display from a patched up 3s, and once again 3 points on our travels.  Peter Lester and Gareth Banton both came back from injury to produce solid displays down the right.  Gareth for the first time in several weeks showed some of the spirit to work hard for the team which Dave Jenvey and I have been waiting for.  John Hill filled in at centre midfield alongside Jay Bream, and after 20 minutes of being slightly unsure of what is expected, produced excellent performances.  For future reference lads what the ageing back 3 require (Trevor, Matt, Dick) is that you run like dogs for 90 minutes and let us get our breath back!  

Also helping out (and hopefully being available most weeks) was Rob Polley (son of the Dick 'Baresi' Polley) who playing his first game for a year ran himself ragged down the left before expiring.  This rag tag side went 1-0 down to a well struck free kick after 15 minutes and then escaped a penalty save (well done Terry) after 25 minutes.  Somehow the penalty taker fluffed the rebound off Terry and this was to be the turning point. 10 minutes later Gary Cummings turned in the box and was fouled, allowing Dave Robins to calmly slot home his first of what was to be an impressive hat-trick. 

1-1 at half time.  Injuries came thick and fast in the second half (Peter - hand, John - leg, Dick - knee, Rob - died on us) but still we tackled and harried and organised and eventually went on to win.  Gary played in Robbo for the second (a lofted shot over the keeper) and Dave completed his scoring with a blistering volley which the keeper could only help into the net.

Good luck next week.

Matt Huffer