Robins Beat Young Bromley Side
Carshalton Athletic made a perfect start to their pre-season campaign, running out 4–0 winners against a Bromley XI at Colston Avenue on Saturday.
Manager Steven Bates has been working hard during the off-season to build a competitive squad for the season ahead. For this opening friendly, he named a large squad to take on Bromley, giving himself the opportunity to assess a number of players, as well as integrate some of the new signings. The side that started the game included striker Nathan Young-Coombes, who starred for the Robins towards the end of last season and has agreed terms for the new campaign. Defender Ethan Kaiser was involved for the first time after signing from Brentwood Town, while Ben Dudzinski started in goal on his return to Colston Avenue.
The game got underway, and it was Bromley who created the first chance. The visitors worked the ball forward quickly down the right-hand side before slipping it through to Soul Kader. The young forward, who spent time on loan with the Robins during the 2024/25 season, fired a right-footed shot at goal, but the effort flashed wide of Dudzinski’s post and went out for a goal kick.
Carshalton responded with a chance of their own, winning a free-kick just outside the box on the left-hand side. Nathan Young-Coombes stepped up and looked to curl his effort into the far corner, but the goalkeeper was equal to it, parrying the ball away before a Bromley defender cleared for a corner.
Bromley went close again a few minutes later. A long diagonal ball from deep found a winger on the right-hand side, who delivered a cross into the box looking for George Evans. The ball carried slightly beyond him and found Max Rope instead, but he dragged his shot wide. The visitors threatened once more when Evans cut the ball back to Kader, whose effort drifted just wide of the far post.
Nathan Young-Coombes almost opened the scoring on 40 minutes with an ambitious effort from distance. The former Brentford man struck the ball first time from around 35 yards after spotting the Bromley goalkeeper off his line. The effort had the right amount of power but drifted just wide, sparing the young goalkeeper’s blushes.
The sides went into the break level at 0–0. At half-time, manager Steven Bates made 11 changes, bringing on an entirely different line-up. Among those introduced were forward Tope Fadahunsi, who joined the club from Chatham Town over the summer; influential midfielder Fabio Saraiva, who has agreed terms ahead of his third season at the club; and Charlie George, who impressed during his spell with the Robins last season.
Carshalton came out with real intent at the start of the second half. Fabio Saraiva played a pinpoint through ball to Renedi Masampu, who reached it on the left-hand side before cutting it back to Charlie George. George struck the ball first time with his left foot. Although the Bromley goalkeeper got a touch with his legs, it wasn’t enough to keep it out, and the Robins took a 1–0 lead.
Soon after, the Robins doubled their advantage. Carshalton worked the ball well down the right-hand side before a low cross was delivered into the danger area. Charlie George timed his run perfectly and was first to the ball, poking it into the corner to make it 2–0.
Carshalton then had the chance to make it three when they were awarded a penalty. After beating his man to the ball, a Robins player was cynically scythed down, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. A cry of “Charlie, take it!” came from the Carshalton bench, and up stepped Charlie George to complete his hat-trick. George produced a composed finish, stuttering his run-up before sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and slotting the ball into the bottom corner to make it 3–0 and effectively put the game beyond Bromley.
Just before the end of the game, Carshalton added a fourth. Fabio Saraiva stepped up to take a free-kick from the right-hand side. His low effort was spilled by the Bromley goalkeeper, and new signing Tope Fadahunsi was quickest to react, tapping home from close range to make it 4–0.
The referee blew the whistle for full-time, with the Robins producing a dominant second-half display to run out 4–0 winners over a youthful Bromley side. Manager Steven Bates will have been pleased with the clinical nature of his side’s finishing, while plenty of players were also able to get valuable minutes under their belts as preparations for the new season continue to ramp up.
Up next, the Robins will look to maintain their positive momentum when Step 2 side Hampton & Richmond visit Colston Avenue on Saturday.
Up Next
Date: Saturday 11th July 2026
Opponents: Hampton & Richmond
Competition: Friendly
KO: 3pm
Venue: Colston Avenue, SM5 2PW
Admissions: Adults £10, Conc £8, U18 £5, Season Ticket Holders FREE, Women & Girls FREE. Tickets are £1 cheaper if paying by card.
Tickets: purchase at the turnstiles
