Robins Draw At Folkestone -

Robins Draw At Folkestone

Carshalton Athletic made it four games unbeaten with an entertaining 3–3 draw against runaway league leaders Folkestone Invicta.

Manager Steven Bates made just one change to the side that beat Wingate & Finchley 4–1 last weekend, with Tolu Ladapo replacing Bryan Ifeanyi on the wing. There were also places on the bench for new signings Rob Howard and Fareed Salifu, who were brought in before the registration deadline earlier in the week.

The game got underway in Kent, and it was a big occasion for both sides. The Robins started the afternoon four points clear of the bottom four, while Folkestone could win the title with five games to spare if they won and results elsewhere went their way.

Four minutes in, Fabio Saraiva had the first effort at goal when he curled an effort from just outside the box. The shot was held by Ted Collins, but the linesman’s flag was already up for offside. Carshalton then had some defending to do when Jake Hutchinson laid the ball off to Donell Thomas, who had a chance to shoot, but Denzel Akyeampong got back brilliantly to block the effort.

Folkestone took the lead on 14 minutes. Josh Strouts delivered a low ball from the right-hand side which went all the way through to Ben Mason at the back post, who fired past Hubert Graczyk from close range to make it 1–0 to the hosts.

Folkestone then had two half-chances after the goal. Donell Thomas had another opportunity to shoot, but this time it was Fabio Saraiva who blocked his effort away for a corner. From the resulting set piece, Kevin Lokko rose above his man to get a header away, but the Invicta captain saw his effort drift over the crossbar.

Carshalton equalised on 20 minutes. Tolu Ladapo threaded a ball through to Ryan Huke, who fired a powerful effort towards goal from around 18 yards. Ted Collins got a slight hand to the strike, but it wasn’t enough to keep it out, with the score now 1–1.

Carshalton then took the lead on 27 minutes. The Robins moved the ball quickly from right to left, with Akyeampong playing it to Saraiva, who in turn found Masampu. He fed the ball to Ladapo, who cut in from the left and curled the ball with his right foot into the top corner from 25 yards, giving Collins no chance and stunning an expectant crowd of 2,097 at the Alcaline Stadium. The Robins now led 2–1.

Eddie Allsopp then saw his effort blocked away for a corner and went over to take it himself. The hosts were unable to deal with the delivery, and Nathan Young-Coombes headed the ball towards goal. The effort took a cruel deflection off a Folkestone defender and trickled into the net, sending the travelling Carshalton fans wild behind the goal as their side led 3–1.

On 44 minutes, Ladapo saw an effort blocked, before Huke’s follow-up was deflected over. A minute later, Saraiva fired over as Carshalton continued to push forward.
Carshalton nearly scored a fourth in first-half stoppage time when Fabio Saraiva delivered a corner into the danger area. The ball was met by the head of Leo Young, whose looping header struck the top of the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.

The referee blew for half time with the Robins 3–1 to the good. Manager Steven Bates would not have wanted the whistle to come, with his side in the ascendancy after responding to Folkestone’s opener with three quickfire goals.

Folkestone knew they had to make changes at the break and made a substitution, bringing on Nathan Paul-Lavaly, who spent part of last season on loan at Carshalton.

Folkestone had the first chance of the second half when Joe Pigott laid the ball off to Sam German, but the defender fired his effort over the crossbar. The hosts reduced the deficit two minutes later when Donell Thomas delivered a free kick into the area. His ball found Liam Smith, who guided his header into the bottom right corner to make it 3–2 to Carshalton.

Folkestone were on top now and continued to roll the dice, bringing on striker Ade Yusuff for defender Sam German as the hosts went all guns blazing to turn the contest around. On 70 minutes, Folkestone went close again when Adam Lovatt’s delivery was met by Kevin Lokko, but his header drifted just wide of the post.

Folkestone made their pressure count on 75 minutes, equalising to make it 3–3. There was chaos in the Carshalton penalty area, with the Robins unable to deal with the danger, and Ryan Kingford picked up the loose ball and fired a first-time effort into the bottom corner.

That set up a frantic finish. With Chatham drawing at Brentwood and Aveley losing against Cray Wanderers, the Folkestone players, staff and supporters were well aware that a winning goal would secure them the title.

It was backs to the wall for Carshalton as they withstood an onslaught from the hosts. Joe Pigott went close on 85 minutes, but saw his shot deflected over the crossbar. Five minutes of stoppage time were signalled, and Donell Thomas had the final chance of the game, lashing his effort high and wide. Referee Harry Wood then blew his whistle for full time, signalling the end of the contest.

The result sees Carshalton remain in 17th place, four points above the bottom four, while Folkestone now require just two points to mathematically secure the title.

Commenting on X after the game, manager Steven Bates said: “That’s why Folkestone will be champions. The pressure was suffocating, but the Carshalton fans pulled us through.”

First team coach Kieron Jackson added: “A great point away from home against the top of the table. Outstanding performance from the team today.”

Tolu Ladapo, after scoring in consecutive games, said: “2 in 2, great performance from the boys. God is good!”

Attention now turns to the Easter weekend, where the Robins host Dartford on Saturday before making the short trip to take on Dulwich Hamlet on Monday.