Carshalton limped out of the SAL Cup with a brave performance against a strong Winchmore Hill outfit. Starting with 10 men, Carshalton lined up with top scorer Adam Lemon leading the attack alone. However, despite being a man down, Cars managed to create the best opportunities in the early exchanges, with the lively Lemon twice miscuing from close range.

After 20 minutes, Matt Boyman arrived, allowing manager Morris to push Steven Hayes forward. The general consensus amongst the loyal 7s followers was that with 11 men we would have too much for our opponents. Then tragedy struck. Within 5 minutes both Tony Barrett and Adam Lemon suffered leg injuries. Although both were able to carry on, neither looked fully fit for the remainder of the game.

Half time came with the score still 0-0, with the early Adam Lemon opportunities the only chances of note. Manager Morris pulled out his chalkboard and delivered a comprehensive half-time briefing, leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for the second half. The second half started with Cars feeling very confident of victory.

Unfortunately, Winchmore Hill scored with their first attack after half time. A well struck shot from the edge of the box arrowed into the top corner. The lead was short lived though, as Cars battled back, placing their opponents under severe pressure and forcing a goal through Adam Lemon, who bundled home a well delivered Steven Hayes cross.

Manager Morris made a tactical switch, swapping Dylan May for Rich Clarke on the right side. Surely this would give Cars the momentum to win the game! Unfortunately, Winchmore Hill scored with their first attack after the change, with a goal similar to their first. However, once again Cars showed their fighting spirit with another equalizer, Lemon again firing the home side back into it with a crisp left footed shot.

Winchmore Hill scored two goals in extra time to knock us out of the cup.

After some inconsistent form of late, Carshalton need to return to winning ways in the AFA Cup against South Bank CUACO next week. Deprived of Manager Morris’ aerial strength, the 7s need to discover a new way of playing to maximise the strengths of the talented players we have. Unfortunately the main discoveries this week were that Jay Breen can only drink for about 90 minutes before his memory deserts him, Jon Hill’s pre match drink should not have an ABV and that Jim Armstrong still has a passion for the elaborate lie.

Jay Breen