Robins Impress Against SCR
Carshalton Athletic returned to winning ways with a 6–0 victory over Step 5 side Sutton Common Rovers at Colston Avenue on Monday evening.
Manager Steven Bates named a strong starting line-up for the game, including former AFC Wimbledon defender Leo Young, midfielders Charlie George and Ryan Huke, and forward Nathan Young-Coombes.
Nathan Young-Coombes got the game underway, and it was the Robins who created the first chance after seven minutes. The ball fell to midfielder Jack Jebb on the edge of the penalty area. The former Arsenal youngster struck a dipping effort at goal which nearly caught out the SCR goalkeeper, but he was able to push the ball away for a corner.
Sutton Common Rovers then had a golden chance of their own. After a clever through ball from midfield, an SCR forward raced onto it and reached it before John Rose. His effort beat Rose, but was cleared off the line by Romel Royal, with the Robins defender racing back to keep the scores level.
Carshalton opened the scoring after 27 minutes. Some good work down the left-hand side led to a ball being played into the area, where it fell kindly to Ryan Huke. The midfielder reacted quickest to slot the ball home and make it 1–0.
The Robins doubled their lead on 34 minutes after winning a corner on the left-hand side. Having scored the opener, Huke turned provider, curling a superb delivery into the penalty area. The cross found Nathan Young-Coombes, who rose highest to head home his first goal of pre-season and make it 2–0 to the Robins.
Carshalton were on top and had further opportunities to increase their advantage. Ada Okorogheye got himself into a good position, but saw his header pushed away by the SCR goalkeeper, with the ball falling to Huke, whose follow-up effort was blocked. A few minutes later, David Kromer cut the ball back to Okorogheye, but his curled effort was straight at the goalkeeper.
The Robins extended their lead further just before the break. After more good work down the left-hand side, David Kromer delivered a low cross to the back post, where Ryan Huke was on hand to tap home his second of the evening and give Carshalton a commanding 3–0 lead heading into the second half.
Sutton Common Rovers came out with more intent after the restart and nearly reduced the deficit on 51 minutes. The SCR number 18 raced through on goal and had a golden chance to score, but fired high and wide of the crossbar. He was involved again six minutes later, this time forcing John Rose into a smart save. The Robins stopper was well positioned to push the ball away and preserve his clean sheet.
Carshalton added a fourth on the hour mark. After scoring a hat-trick in the opening pre-season friendly against Bromley, Charlie George has been playing with confidence, and he showed it again by smashing an effort past the SCR goalkeeper from 25 yards to make it 4–0 and put the game beyond the visitors.
With the game all but wrapped up, manager Steven Bates turned to his bench and made five changes, introducing the likes of Tope Fadahunsi and Charles Hagan. The Robins were not content with four goals and continued to push forward. Fadahunsi made a great run down the right-hand side into the penalty area and looked to pick out Tolu Ladapo, who was arriving at the back post, but the winger was unable to reach the cross and the danger passed.
With time running out, the Robins added a fifth. Carshalton put together a neat passing move which culminated in Charles Hagan firing home his first goal in Carshalton colours to make it 5–0.
Two minutes later, the Robins won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Charlie George’s delivery was initially cleared, but it fell to Charles Hagan, who struck the ball first time through a crowd of bodies and into the back of the net to score a quick-fire brace and make it 6–0.
Incredibly, Hagan could have completed a hat-trick in less than five minutes when he latched onto a ball over the top in the closing stages. With the ball bouncing and the SCR goalkeeper rushing out to narrow the angle, Hagan lofted his effort over him. It looked destined for the corner, but ultimately drifted just wide.
The referee brought the game to a close, and manager Steven Bates will have been pleased to see his side return to winning ways after three narrow defeats.
Up next, the Robins face a quick 24-hour turnaround as they travel to take on Step 5 side Sheerwater on Tuesday 21st July. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm.
Up Next
Date: Tuesday 21st July 2026
Opponents: Sheerwater FC
Competition: Friendly
KO: 8pm
Venue: Eastwood Centre, Working, GU21 5RF
Admissions: Adults £5, Concessions £3, Kids FREE
Tickets: purchase at the turnstiles
