Robins regain some pride and secure a point against Sutton (From Surrey Comet)

Robins regain some pride and secure a point against Sutton

11:02am Monday 4th January 2010

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Carshalton Athletic 0 Sutton United 0

After a dismal Boxing Day performance, the Robins went quite some way in salvaging some self-respect in the quick-fire Ryman Premier League return against their neighbours on Saturday.

Having created the best chances of the game, the disappointment on this occasion was the failure to snatch all three points that a little more ruthlessness in front of goal could have secured.

Carshalton were the early pace-makers and a passing move involving Kenny Beaney and Jones Awuah presented Barry Stevens with the chance for a shot that sailed just over.

The Robins also had a strong penalty appeal turned down, when Beaney’s chip forward from a partly cleared corner ended with David Woozley appearing to be impeded by Sutton’s Nick McKoy as he tried to reach the ball.

Not to be outdone, Sutton pressed forward and a dangerous break by Sam Gargan was halted at the expense of a corner and, shortly after, Billy Hawes's corner from the right was met by Alan Bray, whose goal-bound header was turned over by Woozley.

Beaney was enjoying a splendid game in midfield against his former club, having finally signed for the Robins after an extended loan and, just before the half-hour, his free-kick was headed against the Us' cross-bar by Woozley, with Joe Dolan heading over the rebound.

Sutton won a series of corners, but these posed few problems for the home defence, and the Robins really should have taken the lead five minutes before the break, when a good run down the left by debutant Orlando Smith ended with a pass to Awuah with a clear sight of goal, but the stand-in striker’s first time shot was under-hit, giving full back James Hawes the chance to clear of the line, with Craig Faulconbridge inches away from the loose ball.

Barry Stevens caused the early problems in the second half with his characteristic direct runs at the heart of the Sutton defence, shooting over with his first effort and winning a corner with his second.

Alan Pouton had his side’s first direct shot 10 minutes into the half, but the game was still even poised and a break by Sonny Cobbs was only halted by an outstanding tackle by Robins’ captain, David Ray.

Sutton manager Paul Doswell gambled with a triple substitution on the hour mark and the introduction of Danny Phillips began to make things a little more difficult for the Robins defenders as players began to tire.

Chances became fewer as Bray marshalled the Sutton defence but, in the latter stages, the referee finally ran out with patience with Sutton’s McKoy, who was cautioned for persistent fouls and, shortly after, Sonny Cobbs joined him in the referee’s note book.

A long-range free-kick by Beaney after a foul on Stevens brought a fine save by Scriven but, with time running out, the prospect of either team breaking the deadlock began to fade.

In the final minute, Carshalton were inches away from a dramatic winner, however, when Beaney’s cross from the left cleared keeper Scriven to fall to Awuah, who chose to shoot first time only to see his close range effort fly just over.

As the teams left the field at the end of an entertaining afternoon, Sutton will probably have been the more satisfied of the two sides with a share of the spoils and the Robins can look forward to next week’s FA Trophy fixture with a little more confidence than seemed likely a week earlier.

Robins: Nick Hamann, David Ray, Rob Watkins, David Woozley, Joe Dolan, Kenny Beaney, Barry Stevens, Karl Murray, Craig Faulconbridge, Jones Awuah, Orlando Smith

Subs not used: Pietro Palladino, Kevin Davies, Stefan Cox, Gerry Gonella, Rashid Kamara

Attendance: 1,007

Forthcoming games

Saturday, January 9 (3pm): Worcester City v Carshalton Athletic, FA Trophy

Tuesday, January 12 (7.45pm): Tonbridge Angels v Carshalton Athletic, Ryman League Premier Division Saturday, January 16 (3pm): Carshalton Athletic v Horsham, Ryman League Premier Division

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