November 19, 2024
🎥⚽ Match Highlights: Catch all the action from our third round exit from the Velocity Cup away at Carshalton Athletic! 🌟🥅
See all the highlights from our recent cup tie against Carshalton Athletic on the 11th November. The starting lineup saw debuts for Figueira and Dreher whilst captain Pierrick was rested. Our first chance of the match fell to Shokunbi but his curled effort was wide of the mark. Moments later we had a goal disallowed as Figueira picked a defender's pocket and found Shokunbi who slipped a smart finish under the keeper but the flag had gone up. We were on the front foot in the first half, McCarthy headed just wide from a freekick and Omilabu had an effort from distance stopped by the keeper. The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute as Carshalton lost the ball in their own half which Dotse worked out wide to Omilabu and his cut-back found Dreher inside the box to sweep a fine finish home for his debut goal. It should have been two moments later when a similar move, this time from Figueira on the left flank, found Shokunbi in space in the box but he could not get the ball out of his feet in time and his rushed shot missed the target. Figueira had a lively half, this time cutting inside from the left and fizzing a ball into Dotse who controlled it well but could not apply the finish. Carshalton's first chance of note was a lovely dipping strike from range which Tangara was equal to, his parry led to a blistering Croydon counter that was defended well by the home side and put out for a corner. Carshalton equalised against the run of play just before the half time whistle as a short corner routine fell kindly to Goather-Braithwaite who finished emphatically into the bottom corner. We came out the blocks flying in the second half and only some solid keeping prevented us from taking back the lead when Shokunbi's effort was well stopped and Omilabu could not take advantage after the ball was recycled back in. Tangara's loose ball led to a moment of panic when Carshalton were left two on one, but the keeper made up for his mistake with a brave challenge. As both teams tired, it became a thrilling end-to-end game, with both teams finding chances to win it - Carshalton had a header from a few yards out go agonisingly wide, whilst Omilabu was denied a sure goal by some fantastic last-ditch defending and substitute Collins was somehow kept out from converting a low cross. In dramatic fashion, Gnahore was sent off in the 89th minute for a slightly harsh second yellow card, and the man advantage proved decisive as Carshalton grabbed a very scrappy winner in the 94th minute from a freekick that we just could not clear. The boys will feel they were the better team but were undone by a more clinical home side and with that we are out of the Velocity Cup.
Next up for The Rams our focus is turned back on the league as we travel to Steyning Town Community on the 16th November! Highlights for that game will be out soon! 💪
🔸 Love the Rams' fighting s
By Croydon Athletic
