Robins Beaten By Lewes
Carshalton Athletic slipped to a 3-0 defeat to Lewes at the Dripping Pan on Tuesday evening.
Manager Steven Bates made four changes to the side that lost to Dartford at the weekend. Fabio Saraiva and Ethan Kaiser both returned to the starting XI, while Ada Okorogheye and Donte Augustus were handed their first league starts. Fikayo Atewologun and Jordan Maguire-Drew dropped to the bench, while Josh Koroma and Nico Jones missed out altogether.
The game got underway in Sussex, and the hosts were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the seventh minute. The Rooks were awarded a free-kick just outside the box, with a Lewes player going for goal. The effort was blocked by a Carshalton player in the wall, but the referee adjudged that the ball had struck an outstretched arm and pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Harry Mills, who sent Ben Dudzinski the wrong way, calmly slotting the ball into the corner to make it 1-0 to Lewes.
Lewes had a chance to double their advantage in the 17th minute. Charlie Walker did well to get a ball into the box, which found Ryan Gondoh. The former Robin controlled the ball and passed it to Owen, but his effort lacked power and went wide.
The Rooks went close again in the 28th minute. Noel Fisher was played through on goal, but he couldn’t get a clean shot away as Denzel Akyeampong got back brilliantly to make a last-ditch challenge and get in the way.
Lewes went close again a few minutes later. Charlie Walker dipped a perfect free-kick over the wall, but Ben Dudzinski produced a tremendous dive to tip the ball onto the bar and over.
Carshalton did have some good spells of possession in the first half, but weren’t able to create many clear-cut chances. Captain Fabio Saraiva hit a first-time shot from outside the penalty area, but the attempt went well over the crossbar.
Saraiva went closer from a free-kick shortly before the break. The former Leatherhead man stepped up and looked to curl one into the top corner, but Louis Rogers reacted well to hold onto the strike.
The referee blew his whistle for half-time, with the Robins 1-0 down. Manager Steven Bates knew his side had work to do to get back into the game.
The hosts came flying out after the break and had a great chance to extend their lead, but Ben Dudzinski produced two excellent saves in quick succession. Ryan Gondoh charged down the right wing before cutting the ball back and releasing a left-footed shot, but Dudzinski reacted well to push the effort behind for a corner.
From the resulting attack, Gondoh was played through on goal again and produced a low shot towards the near post, but Dudzinski dived down to make another important block.
However, shortly after, Lewes doubled their lead. The hosts crossed the ball in from the right-hand side, and Charlie Walker was on the end of it. His first-time shot was saved by Dudzinski, but Walker was quick to react, tapping home the rebound to make it 2-0.
Carshalton were unlucky not to have a goal back almost immediately. Nathan Young-Coombes played the ball to Tolu Ladapo, and the former Charlton man struck the post from a tight angle. The ball stayed in play, allowing Carshalton to recycle possession and cross it back into the penalty area. The delivery was met by the head of Tope Fadahunsi, whose header also struck the crossbar before eventually going clear.
Carshalton were pushing forward in an attempt to get back into the game and went close again when Ladapo sent a ball into the box. The delivery found Nathan Young-Coombes, who got his head to the ball but couldn’t direct it on target as it drifted wide.
In the 65th minute, Lewes scored their third. The Rooks won possession back, and the hosts immediately went on the counter-attack. Brian Garzon played a great through ball to Ryan Gondoh, who raced through on goal before taking the ball around Ben Dudzinski and firing into the back of the net to make it 3-0 and potentially put the game out of sight for the Robins.
Lewes had another opportunity in the 76th minute. Noel Fisher won the ball at the halfway line and played it wide to Jack Enkh. The left-back squared the ball to Brian Garzon, who selflessly offloaded a pass to Charlie Walker. The attacker cut onto his left foot before shooting over the bar.
Carshalton were still working hard despite the scoreline, with the team continuing to press in an attempt to win the ball back in high areas. The Robins went close to pulling a goal back when the ball fell to Tope Fadahunsi in the box, but the former Chatham man couldn’t find the target and fired over the crossbar.
After a short period of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle for full-time, with Lewes running out 3-0 winners.
The Robins were not at their best on the night and will be looking to dust themselves down quickly before another away game on Saturday.
Up next, the Robins are on the road again on Saturday, making the trip to Essex to take on newly promoted Maldon & Tiptree.
Up Next
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Opponents: Maldon & Tiptree
Competition: Isthmian League
KO: 3pm
Venue: The Maldon Stadium, Park Drive, Maldon, CM9 5JQ
Admissions: Adult £12, Concession £7, U16 Free
Tickets: Purchase Here or at the turnstiles
