Robins Beat Brentwood
Carshalton Athletic made it five wins from five with a 2–0 victory at home to last season’s playoff finalists Brentwood Town at Colston Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Steven Bates made two changes to the side that beat Stanway Rovers last weekend. Renedi Masampu came into the starting XI for his first start of the season in place of Matt Yates, while Rob Howard returned to the side in place of Tyrese Osbourne. For the visitors, there was a notable name in their starting lineup, as former Carshalton defender Luke Read, who made 236 appearances for the Robins, made his return to Colston Avenue after making the switch to Brentwood over the summer.
Carshalton Athletic got the game underway in difficult conditions, with persistent rain making for a wet afternoon at Colston Avenue. The opening stages were closely contested, with both sides looking to settle into the game, but neither was able to create any meaningful attempts at goal.
The first chance of note came in the 21st minute, when Carshalton were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area after Nathan Young-Coombes was brought down. Fabio Saraiva and Jack Jebb stood over the set piece, with Jebb eventually taking it. His strike beat the wall, but flew just over the crossbar.
Brentwood then registered their first shot on target in the 38th minute. The visitors played a short corner, with the ball eventually falling to Manny Harvest on the edge of the box. He struck at goal, but Ben Dudzinski was well positioned to hold onto the effort.
The Robins were then presented with a great chance to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty. A strike at goal hit the hand of a Brentwood defender, and the referee was quick to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Nathan Young-Coombes, who, after seeing his penalty against AFC Whyteleafe saved on the opening day, made no mistake on this occasion, firing his spot kick low and into the back of the net. Brentwood goalkeeper Aiden Prall did get a touch to the ball, but it wasn’t enough to keep it out, and the Robins were ahead.
It had been an even contest up to that point, with neither side able to establish a clear advantage for long periods. However, it was Carshalton who found the crucial breakthrough before half time, giving Steven Bates’ side a narrow lead to take into the interval.
The visitors got the second half underway, but while the first half had been an even affair, the Robins came out firing after the break. Carshalton created a number of opportunities in the opening minutes of the half, with Fabio Saraiva seeing a shot from distance comfortably held by Aiden Prall.
Young-Coombes then went close to adding his second goal of the game after breaking free down the left-hand side. The forward cut in and fired towards the far corner, but his effort narrowly missed the post from a tight angle.
In the 55th minute, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Max Hudson put in a late challenge on Tyrese Osbourne. The referee was quick to blow his whistle and brandished a red card, sending Hudson for an early bath. Brentwood now faced an uphill struggle to get back into the game with a man disadvantage. There was also a red card for a member of the Brentwood coaching staff shortly afterwards, as he was given his marching orders.
The Robins then doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute. A great switch of play from Ladapo found its way to Nathan Young-Coombes, and the former Brentford man was able to curl his effort into the bottom corner for his second goal of the game and his third league goal of the season so far. The Robins were now 2–0 ahead.
With a two-goal and one-man advantage, the Robins looked to have the game sewn up, but Steven Bates’ side continued to push for more. Tope Fadahunsi, still looking for his first competitive goal in Carshalton colours, had a great opportunity to get on the scoresheet, but saw his effort saved by the feet of Aiden Prall.
The Robins continued to threaten and had a couple of half chances. Jebb saw his free kick fly just over the crossbar, while Tyrese Osbourne fired wide after a neat move that saw Fadahunsi lay the ball off to him.
Carshalton nearly made it 3–0 in the 85th minute. A pinpoint corner found Ethan Kaiser free inside the box, and he looked to head the ball home, just as he did against Wingate & Finchley. However, Prall did brilliantly to tip the header over the crossbar.
After a short period of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle for full time, confirming a 2–0 victory for the Robins. Carshalton remain top of the league after five games, three points clear of their nearest challengers, Enfield Town and Welling United.
Commenting on X following the game, manager Steven Bates said: “What a performance from these Carshalton Athletic players against a very good Brentwood Town side. What a great crowd again!”
Up next, it’s a quick turnaround for the Robins, who are back in action on Bank Holiday Monday when they travel to newly promoted Three Bridges.
Up Next
Date: Monday 31st August 2026
Opponents: Three Bridges
Competition: Isthmian League
KO: 3pm
Venue: Jubilee Walk, Three Bridges Road, Three Bridges, Crawley RH10 1LQ
Admissions: Ticket Prices on the gate: Adult £12, Concession £6, Student / Military / Blue Light / Disabled Admission £6, Age 12-17 £6, U12 Free
Advance online bookings (Purchase by 11:59pm the day before): Adult £10, Concession £5, Student / Military / Blue Light / Disabled Admission £5, Age 12-17 £5, U12 Free
Tickets: Purchase Here or at the turnstiles
