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Carshalton turned in an average performance, and in particular it was their finishing that let them down as they were held to a draw by old rivals Cheam Sports (formerly Merton Vultures) in Beddington Park.  The rock-hard surface was not conducive to passing football, and Cheam employed some robust tactics to upset Carshalton's rhythm and so earn a well-deserved draw. The hosts had the better of the opening exchanges, and should have scored after four minutes when Mo Fafona shot tamely wide in front of goal after impressive work by Jezz Williams. Carshalton continued to press forward but another chance was squandered after Daniel Johnson played in Jack Keable. Although the hosts dominated possession, Cheam managed to break into the final third several times, but never really managed to threaten the keeper. After twenty minutes Ben Gyamfi received the ball outside the Cheam penalty area, but then declined to shoot into an unattended net, but rather he ran on to fire wide when he was quickly closed down. The powerful Cheam No.12 then bundled his way through a number of midfield challenges before shooting narrowly wide from inside the box. Thereafter, his incursions into the Carshalton penalty area were policed by Jack Malin. Soon after, the impressive Jamie Streat played in Julian Ose-Gyimah, but he was muscled off the ball without even getting in a shot. Next Jezz Williams was adjudged offside after he bamboozled the last defender with some smart footwork. As half-time beckoned, the visitors almost scored, but Robert Marsden made an outstanding save after a Cheam forward struck a low shot through a crowded penalty area.

In the second half, Carshalton began brightly showing enhanced attacking power as Jamie Streat et al created a whole host of chances for a profligate forward line. The visitors survived a number of near misses, and the Cheam keeper distinguished himself with a number of good saves. Ben Gyamfi, Julian Osei-Gyimah and Mo Fafona were all guilty of efforts that either lacked accuracy or power. In one attack Ben Gyamfi had plenty to shoot at from twelve yards, but only managed to shoot very tamely and straight at the keeper. The resolute Cheam defence held firm, and proceeded to create a number of attacks of their own. However, these foundered on a very solid-looking Carshalton rearguard. After a few more frustrating Carshalton attacks, the visitors broke away down the left flank, but Robert Marsden was quickly down to intercept the low cross into the danger zone. At the other end Mo Fafona shot towards the top left-hand corner of the goal, but only to find the Cheam keeper equal to it. On 54 minutes Carshalton finally broke the deadlock when the ball was lobbed into the Cheam goal area, and Louis Barron-Pell was on hand to drive the ball past the keeper with some difficulty. Two minutes later Cheam drew level with a goal out of nothing. The Carshalton right midfield lost possession in their own half after a very suspicious-looking tackle. The ball was played into the path of the robust Cheam No.12 who, from 20 yards out, managed to loop the ball over a stranded Robert Mardsen with a speculative shot. There was no further scoring in the remaining four minutes.

Team: Robert Marsden; Adam Marie, Jack Malin, Lewis West, Spud Bradley; Jack Keable, Daniel Johnson, Jamie Streat, Jezz Williams; Louis Barron-Pell, Mohamed Fafona. Subs: Ben Gyamfi, Will, Julian Osei-Gyimah, Samuel Mew.

Mike Malin