Carshalton Fight Back to Beat Burgess Hill -

Carshalton Fight Back To Beat Burgess Hill

Carshalton produced an impressive second-half display to come from behind and claim a 4–2 victory away at Burgess Hill Town, having trailed 2–1 at half-time.

Following a narrow defeat at Chatham on Saturday, manager Peter Adeniyi made three changes to his starting XI. Luke Read and Aziz Sankoh returned to the lineup, while Tolu Ladapo was handed his first start for the Robins after impressing off the bench in the previous two matches.

Carshalton were eager to avoid a repeat of Saturday’s poor start, when they conceded inside the first minute. But just five minutes in, they found themselves behind again. A ball played in behind the Robins’ defence allowed George Vorster to beat the onrushing Matt Kerbey to the ball and tap into an empty net – his fifth goal of the season.

It was a tough start for the visitors, and things nearly got worse on 16 minutes when a cross fell to Vorster again, though this time he fired just wide. That near miss sparked the Robins into life, and they began to grow into the game. On 20 minutes, they were level. Parish Muirhead delivered a dangerous cross from the left, aiming for Smith and Ladapo. The ball bounced kindly for Ladapo, who finished from close range to make it 1–1.

With the scores level, Carshalton continued to push forward. Bryan Ifeanyi cut inside from the right and forced a smart save from Mansell, who tipped the ball over the bar.
However, it was the home side who struck next. On 34 minutes, Burgess Hill retook the lead with some intricate passing. Ben Pope found Martyn Box, who fired a superb shot into the top corner past Kerbey. There was a moment of uncertainty as the referee delayed the decision and consulted with his assistant, possibly over a hint of offside, but the goal was eventually awarded.

Controversy followed just minutes later. On 38 minutes, the referee penalised Kerbey for failing to release the ball within the newly enforced eight-second rule – a law introduced for the 2025/26 season – and awarded a corner to Burgess Hill. From the resulting set piece, the ball struck the bar before being fired over.

Ladapo continued to look dangerous in his first start, forcing Mansell into another save before the half-time whistle sounded.

Carshalton started the second half brightly, with Ladapo again testing Mansell, who pushed the shot behind for a corner. Burgess Hill remained threatening, with Martyn Box heading just wide from a Hamish Morrison cross. A few minutes later, Kerbey had to get down smartly to save a curling effort.

Adeniyi made a double substitution on 64 minutes, bringing on Ming and Salami in place of Smith and Saunders Henry. The changes almost paid immediate dividends as Ladapo had yet another effort pushed behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Sankoh curled an effort just wide of the far post. Burgess Hill, now starting to sit deeper, looked to hit on the counter, with Chris Whelpdale seeing his shot well saved by Kerbey.
Eventually, the pressure told. Carshalton drew level when Ladapo delivered a ball from the right that found substitute Ricky Korboa at the back post.

Korboa tapped home to make it 2–2 – a deserved equaliser.

Now in the ascendancy, the Robins pressed for a winner and found it on 85 minutes. Ladapo created space in the box and fired towards goal. The ball took a touch off Burgess Hill defender Hamish Morrison on its way in. Korboa was lurking and may have finished it off had Morrison not intervened,

CARSHALTON ATHLETIC VS BURGESS HILL TOWN 23 09 2025 LEAGUE MATCH AT LEYLANDS PARK. Photos by Lin Bartley Sports Photographer

but the goal stood – and Carshalton had the lead.

Burgess Hill threw everything forward in search of a late equaliser, with Whelpdale firing over in the 90th minute. With six minutes of stoppage time added, Adeniyi made his final change, bringing on Lucas Dyer.

As the home side pushed forward and gaps opened up, Carshalton struck one final blow. Kola Salami found space and slotted the ball into the corner with the last kick of the game to seal a 4–2 win.

The referee blew for full time as the ball hit the net, sparking jubilant scenes among the players, coaching staff, and travelling fans. It was a massive three points for the Robins, who had gone seven games in all competitions without a win.

Their resilience in coming from behind twice will be a huge boost ahead of Saturday’s clash at Colston Avenue, where they host Welling United in another Isthmian Premier League fixture.