Robins Draw With Millers -

Robins Draw With Millers

Carshalton Athletic played out an entertaining 1–1 draw with high-flying Aveley at Colston Avenue, extending their unbeaten league run to six games.

Manager Peter Adeniyi handed a debut to new signing Matias Bakare, while Fikayo Atewologun returned to the lineup after missing the match against Lewes.

The Robins made a bright start and took the lead after 11 minutes. Former Aveley winger Bryan Ifeanyi picked up the ball on the left, cut inside, and curled a shot into the top-left corner.

The effort took a slight deflection off a defender, but Joe Wright was well beaten and Carshalton had an early advantage.

On 15 minutes, the Millers pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Anthony Church headed the ball into the path of Suley Zuhdu, whose effort was well saved by Matt Kerbey.

Bakare, who had impressed early on, then picked up a knock and was forced off, with Tommy Bradford replacing him. Tolu Ladapo had two half-chances soon after – first forcing a save from Wright,

then heading narrowly wide from a corner.

Aveley were awarded a penalty on 42 minutes. A through ball released George Saunders, and as Matt Kerbey rushed out to meet it, he got the first touch but brought Saunders down in the process. The referee acknowledged Kerbey reached the ball first but deemed the challenge reckless and pointed to the spot. Ollie Peters stepped up and sent Kerbey the wrong way to level the score at 1–1.

Just before the break, Aveley almost took the lead when Saunders chipped the ball to Peters in space, but his header drifted inches wide.

The second half began with both teams pushing for a winner. Jayden Robinson flashed a shot wide for Aveley, and at the other end Ladapo headed off target from a Saraiva cross. Right-back Josh Shonibare drove forward and struck a powerful effort, but it flew just over the bar.

Aveley then created two major chances. First, Tobi Tinubu drove forward on the right and fired a shot that beat Kerbey, only for Atewologun to clear off the line. Moments later, Zuhdu found Harris, whose header seemed destined for the net until Kerbey produced a brilliant save.

As the clock wound down, both teams continued to push. Jesse Nwabueze tried his luck from distance, but Kerbey saved comfortably. Carshalton then won a free-kick on the edge of the area, and Fabio Saraiva’s curling effort clipped the top of the crossbar on its way over.

After six minutes of added time, the referee brought an end to the contest with both sides settling for a point. The result keeps the Robins in the top half, extending their unbeaten league run to six matches. Attention now turns to Saturday, when Carshalton travel to Clarence Park to face St Albans City.