Robins Defeated At Billericay -

Robins Defeated At Billericay

Carshalton fought hard but ultimately slipped to a 1–0 defeat at Billericay on Saturday.

With a two-week break following their last fixture against Wingate & Finchley, manager Peter Adeniyi made four changes to his starting line-up. Matt Kerbey returned from suspension to replace Walder in goal. Lawrence Ernest and Joshua Shonibare returned in defence after both missed out two weeks ago, with Ming dropping to the bench, Nzuzi missing out, and Luke Read moving into midfield. Kola Salami was preferred in the Robins’ front line, with David Smith starting the game on the bench.

The game kicked off in the Essex sunshine, and it was the hosts who had the first real chance of the game after eight minutes. After picking the ball up in the middle of the park, Jack Evans fired a shot at goal from outside the box. The effort was awkward for Kerbey, who spilled the initial shot before eventually gathering the ball.

Billericay settled into the game quicker than the Robins. On 12 minutes, Frankie Merrifield got himself into a good position for the hosts, but the Robins recovered well to block the shot. The best chance of the game so far then fell to Billericay on 19 minutes. A good move saw the ball crossed in from the left-hand side, finding Liam Nash unmarked at the far post. Nash brought the ball down and looked destined to score, but Kerbey spread himself well in the Carshalton goal to tip the ball behind for a corner.

The Robins started to grow into the game and put together some good passing moves. Ifeanyi looked dangerous on the wing,

while Shonibare pushed forward from right-back to support Carshalton’s attacking play. A good move down the right-hand side led to a corner for the Robins. Lucas Dyer swung the ball towards the far post, where it found Luke Read. Although Read managed to head towards goal, the effort lacked sufficient power to trouble Donkin, who saved comfortably.

The game was relatively even in the first half, although it was Billericay who created the better chances. Callum Watts used his feet well to make space for himself outside the box but stumbled slightly when taking his shot, sending the effort high and wide of Kerbey’s goal. However, on 40 minutes, Billericay found the opener. A ball into the box found Elliot Long in the penalty area, and the Billericay man looped a header over Kerbey. The Robins’ goalkeeper got a hand to the effort but was unable to keep it out.

Carshalton nearly responded immediately. A well-worked move down the left-hand side allowed Ifeanyi to deliver a good ball into the box,

picking out Salami in the penalty area, but the Robins forward headed just over.

The half-time whistle blew with the Robins trailing 1–0 at the break. The first-half performance was solid, so Adeniyi would have been disappointed to be behind. Sensing the need for a change, the Robins boss introduced last season’s top scorer David Smith in place of Tolu Ladapo.

The second half got underway and Billericay had the ball in the back of the net almost immediately. A through ball released Liam Nash, who finished calmly past Kerbey, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside. Nash was involved again on 52 minutes. After Carshalton dealt with the initial corner, the ball fell to Nash with his back to goal. He did well to swivel and get a shot away, but Kerbey made a smart save.

The Robins continued to push forward in search of an equaliser. Ifeanyi caused problems on the left-hand side, making a good run before striking towards goal from outside the box, but his effort was deflected behind for a corner. Carshalton went close again just a minute later. Substitute David Smith picked up the ball on the right-hand side and delivered a cross into the box, finding Luke Read at the back post. Read headed just wide from close range.

On 58 minutes, Billericay went close to making it 2–0. A corner from the right-hand side was delivered well and met by a glancing header from Nash, which struck the post before going out of play. At the other end, Carshalton had a strong shout for a penalty. A ball in from the right was headed back across goal towards Tommy Bradford, who looked to bring it under control before being kicked by a Billericay defender. Bradford fell to the ground, and the Robins supporters behind the goal were convinced a penalty should be given, but the referee waved play on.

With 20 minutes remaining, Billericay introduced new signing Charlie Ruff. The former Hornchurch man nearly made an instant impact, driving through the Carshalton defence before seeing his shot deflected wide.

The Robins were not giving up and almost made it 1–1 on 75 minutes. Shonibare drove forward from right-back and fired a powerful effort from outside the box.

The shot nearly went through the hands of Donkin, but the Billericay goalkeeper recovered well to push the ball out for a corner. The resulting inswinger from Dyer almost went all the way in, but Donkin did enough to prevent it crossing the line before the Blues cleared.

As time ran out, it was the hosts who nearly scored a second. Callum Watts surged through the middle and struck the post, with the rebound falling to Alfie Cerulli, who looked certain to score. However, Kerbey recovered brilliantly to make an outstanding save and keep the Robins in the game.

Carshalton continued to push for a late equaliser but were unable to find one as the referee blew for full time. It proved to be a frustrating afternoon for the Robins, who remain in 18th place. Attention now turns to Saturday, when they return to Colston Avenue for the first time in four weeks to face Dulwich Hamlet.