Robins Draw With Dulwich
Carshalton and Dulwich Hamlet played out an entertaining 1–1 draw at Colston Avenue on Saturday afternoon, in front of a bumper crowd of 1,009.
Following last weekend’s defeat to Billericay, manager Peter Adeniyi made just one change to his starting line-up, with Noah Nzuzi returning to the eleven as Tolu Ladapo dropped to the bench. Dulwich named several former Robins in their squad, with Toby Bull, Danny Mills and Nyren Clunis all starting, while Sol Baugh was among the substitutes. The visitors’ line-up was a strong one and included top scorer Luke Wanadio, who has already netted 10 goals this season.
Dulwich Hamlet got the game underway on a cold afternoon in Carshalton. Both sides settled into the contest during the early stages, with the hosts creating the first chance of the game. On nine minutes, Kola Salami made a good run into the box and struck towards goal, but his effort lacked the power to beat Toby Bull in the Dulwich goal.
The Robins were playing with purpose and moving the ball forward well. On 22 minutes, they won a free kick which was initially dealt with by the Dulwich defence, but the ball eventually found its way out to Nzuzi. The midfielder struck from outside the box, but his effort was deflected, taking much of the power off the shot and making Bull’s save comfortable. A minute later, Ifeanyi cut in from the left-hand side and fired a right-footed effort from distance,
but again the shot lacked the power to trouble Bull.
Carshalton had the better chances in the opening stages, though Hamlet looked dangerous from set pieces and balls into the box. The visitors went close on 28 minutes when a delivery from the left-hand side was headed towards goal, but Matt Kerbey was well positioned and made a solid save.
On 33 minutes, the Robins took a deserved lead. Captain Tommy Bradford made a strong tackle in midfield and quickly launched a counter-attack, playing a through ball to Kola Salami. The forward took a touch and used his pace to get through on goal, and with Bull one-on-one, Salami kept his composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
It was his ninth league goal of the season.
Carshalton pushed for a second goal before the break. From a free kick, the ball was worked out to Ifeanyi, who moved into space and struck with his right foot. Bull did well to push the effort away, but only as far as Nzuzi. The midfielder was well positioned for the rebound but was unable to make contact, allowing Dulwich to clear their lines.
However, just before half-time, Dulwich found an equaliser. Two minutes into stoppage time, the visitors won a free kick in the right-hand corner. The delivery was pinpoint, finding Amadou Kassarate, who rose highest to head home.
The referee brought the half to a close, and Peter Adeniyi would have been frustrated to go in level after a strong first-half performance. He turned to his bench at the interval, bringing on Sanchez Ming at left-back in a straight swap for Lucas Dyer.
The second half began with an early chance for Carshalton. Straight from kick-off, Kola Salami played a good ball into Josh Shonibare, but the right-back fired high and wide. On 55 minutes, the Robins had a big opportunity to retake the lead when Nzuzi played Salami through on goal. The forward aimed for the corner, but his effort drifted just wide as the goalkeeper rushed out to apply pressure.
Dulwich continued to pose a threat and went close when the ball fell kindly to Luke Wanadio in the box. The striker looked certain to score, but Kerbey produced an excellent save, tipping the effort away for a corner.
That proved a let-off for Carshalton, who continued to apply pressure. Ifeanyi caused problems down the wing, drawing several fouls in dangerous areas. With 20 minutes remaining, he cut inside once more and struck towards goal, but Bull was well positioned to push the effort away.
On 73 minutes, Shonibare got forward down the right and delivered a cross towards Salami, who attempted an acrobatic bicycle kick.
The ball then fell to Ifeanyi on the byline, but his shot was blocked. Two minutes later, Ifeanyi was involved again, crossing from the left to pick out Luke Read in the middle. Read got a touch but was unable to divert the ball past Bull, who gathered comfortably.
As time ticked away, Carshalton put together another neat passing move, with the ball eventually finding Bakare outside the box, but the midfielder fired over the bar. With a minute of normal time remaining, Kerbey launched a long ball through the middle which picked out Salami. The forward chopped inside onto his right foot but dragged his shot just over the crossbar.
The game moved into stoppage time, and Dulwich had a half chance to snatch a late winner when former Robin Danny Mills headed well wide. With a minute left of added time, the Robins thought they had claimed all three points when Nzuzi slotted the ball through the legs of Bull following a through ball,
but the flag was raised for offside. The referee blew for full time shortly afterwards.
The draw moves Carshalton up to 17th in the table, and attention now turns to Saturday as the Robins travel to Oaklands Park to face Chichester City
in our first game of 2026.
Up Next
Date: Saturday 3rd January 2026
Opponents: Chichester City
Competition: Isthmian League
KO: 3pm
Venue: Oaklands Park, PO19 6AR
Admissions: Adults £12, Conc £8, 16-18yrs/Students £4, U16 £3
