Robins Beat Southall on Penalties
Carshalton Athletic battled back from two goals down to salvage a draw in normal time, before holding their nerve to win 4–3 on penalties against a strong Southall side.
Manager Steven Bates made four changes from the side that beat Maldon & Tiptree last weekend. Jack Jebb returned from suspension, while Jermaine Anderson, Hani Hechachena and Will Bratvedt all made their first starts for the club after impressing off the bench last weekend. Ethan Kaiser, Denzel Akyeampong and Josh Koroma all missed out, while Nathan Young-Coombes dropped to the bench. With neither Fabio Saraiva nor Nathan Young-Coombes in the starting XI, Fikayo Atewologun led the Robins out for the first time.
The game got underway, and the Robins made a positive start, putting together a number of neat passing moves. Rob Howard had the first opportunity of the game in the fourth minute, but saw his shot drift wide of the post.
Southall then started to grow into the game. Daniel Roberts had the hosts’ first chance soon after, rifling a shot towards goal from outside the box, which Ben Dudzinski did well to hold on to.
In the 10th minute, Southall took the lead. The hosts did well down the left-hand side and delivered a low ball into the penalty area. The delivery was pinpoint for Liam Ferdinand in the middle, who was able to guide the ball home to make it 1–0 to Southall.
The Robins were looking to hit back and went close to finding an equaliser in the 16th minute. A great through ball found Tope Fadahunsi, who raced through on goal. He struck a low effort, but his shot was saved by the feet of Czerwonka in the Southall goal.
With half-time approaching, Carshalton had another chance to equalise when Ada Okorogheye found himself in a promising position, but his curling effort was held by Czerwonka.
In the 41st minute, Southall doubled their advantage. The ball was played to William Montague, who was able to lift it over Ben Dudzinski to make it 2–0.
Carshalton were determined to hit back before the break and went close in stoppage time. Hani Hechachena moved the ball well before striking a powerful effort at goal. The strike was on target, but defender Azeez Alabi was able to get his head to the ball to make sure it went out for a corner.
From that set piece, Carshalton had the ball in the back of the net. Prince Kandolo’s header beat the goalkeeper, but the referee ruled that there had been a foul, and the goal was disallowed.
The referee blew his whistle for half-time, with Southall 2–0 ahead, and manager Steven Bates knew there was work to do to get back into the tie.
His side had trailed by the same scoreline last weekend at Maldon & Tiptree, but were able to turn the game around to win 3–2.
Bates made three changes at the break, bringing on Young-Coombes and Masampu, while also handing a debut to Kai Douglas.
The changes had the desired effect almost immediately, as the Robins won a penalty just one minute into the second half. Nathan Young-Coombes got in front of his man and was bundled over in the box. The referee pointed straight to the spot, and Young-Coombes stepped up himself to take it.
The former Brentford man struck the penalty down the middle, deceiving Czerwonka, who dived to his left, and the Robins were back in it with the score now 2–1.
Carshalton were keeping the pressure on as they looked to find an equaliser. Prince Kandolo was an aerial threat for the Robins and went close with a header from a corner, but his effort was pushed away by the goalkeeper. Matt Yates then had an opportunity in the 63rd minute, but saw his strike pushed away by Czerwonka.
Tope Fadahunsi was looking to get on the scoresheet for the Robins. The former Chatham striker struck a shot that looked destined for goal, but a defender was able to block it away for a corner. Fadahunsi went close again soon after, hitting a curling effort towards goal, but the strike went just over the crossbar.
It looked like it might be one of those days for the Robins, but Carshalton didn’t give up and found an equaliser four minutes into the six minutes of stoppage time.
After staying forward, Fikayo Atewologun rose highest to head towards goal. Czerwonka couldn’t reach the header, which hit the inside of the post before spinning over the goal line to make it 2–2 and send the game to penalties.
Southall went first in the shootout and duly converted their first spot kick. Jack Jebb then stepped up for the Robins, but saw his effort saved, giving the hosts the early advantage after one penalty each.
Ben Dudzinski then made a fantastic save from Southall’s second spot kick, while Renedi Masampu was able to slot his penalty into the corner to level the scores after two penalties each.
Dudzinski got a hand to Southall’s third spot kick, but wasn’t able to keep it out, while Prince Kandolo’s powerful penalty levelled the score at 2–2, with two penalties remaining for each side.
Dudzinski then made his second save of the shootout, tipping Southall’s penalty onto the post. Kai Douglas, on his Robins debut, then stepped up and showed no signs of nerves, calmly slotting his penalty home.
This meant that Southall needed to score their final penalty to stay in the shootout, and they did so with a powerful strike. That meant Nathan Young-Coombes could win it for the Robins if he converted from the spot.
After scoring from the spot during the game, Young-Coombes fired his penalty into the corner to make it 4–3 and send the Robins into the First Round Proper of the FA Trophy for the first time since 2022.
The Robins won’t have long to wait to find out their opponents for the next round, with the draw set to be released on Monday at 1pm.
Commenting on X after the game, manager Steven Bates said: “Brilliant effort from the Carshalton Athletic players to recover from two goals down again and navigate the penalty shootout, inspired by the outstanding supporters again who never lost faith and cheered us from beginning to the end.”
First-team coach Kieron Jackson, who unfortunately departs the club after this game, said: “My final game for Carshalton Athletic ends on a penalty win! So proud to have worked for this special club made up of great people, players and staff! Thank you, Steve, for the opportunity. You are building something special!”
Up next, the Robins return to league action on Saturday, making the trip to the Southwood Stadium to take on Ramsgate.
Up Next
Date: Saturday 3rd October 2026
Opponents: Ramsgate
Competition: Isthmian Premier League
KO: 3pm
Venue: Southwood Stadium, Price’s Ave, Ramsgate CT11 0AN
Admissions: Adult £15, Concession £12, U18 Free
Tickets: Purchase Here or at the turnstiles
