Robins Lose Late At St Albans -

Robins Lose Late At St Albans

Carshalton Athletic’s six-game unbeaten league run came to an end after a stoppage-time winner from Michael Bostwick at Clarence Park.

Manager Peter Adeniyi made one change to the side that drew with Aveley, with Lawrence Ernest returning in place of Fabio Saraiva, who missed out. There was also a spot on the bench for new signing Alex Body, who joined the club after spells with Hartley Wintney and Leatherhead earlier this season.

The match got underway in difficult conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds making life tough for both sides. The first half was closely contested and, although both teams worked hard, neither was able to create any clear-cut chances. Goalkeepers Matt Kerbey and Magnus Norman remained largely untested.

Conditions improved slightly after the break, and by the 60th minute Adeniyi had made four substitutions, introducing Bradford, Ming, Read, and handing Body his debut. The changes had an immediate impact. The Robins won a free kick on the edge of the box after Alex Wall was booked for halting a promising attack.

Tommy Bradford stepped up and curled a superb effort towards the far corner, only for Norman to tip it brilliantly onto the post. The rebound fell loose, and Luke Read reacted quickest, recycling the ball into the danger area where Ifeanyi arrived at the far post to beat his marker and divert it into the net.

Despite protests from the home side for offside, the goal stood – and Carshalton had the lead.

St Albans pushed forward in search of an equaliser, applying pressure without creating many clear opportunities. Carshalton had a half-chance to kill the game off late on but fired wide.

The hosts equalised in the 89th minute. A corner from Lewis Page on the right was met by a glancing header from Harrison Smith, who had only just come on. The effort beat Kerbey, bringing St Albans level – a blow for the Robins, who had defended well up to that point.

Deep into stoppage time, St Albans found a winner. A free kick from the right was whipped into the box and not dealt with by the Robins defence, falling kindly to Michael Bostwick, who fired home.

The full-time whistle followed soon after, confirming Carshalton’s first league defeat since 13th October. Conceding two late goals from set pieces was a frustrating way to end a strong performance in which the Robins were good value for at least a point.