Robins Knocked Out Of FA Cup
Carshalton Athletic bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle on Monday night, suffering a 2–1 defeat at home to Chertsey Town.
Manager Steven Bates made two changes to Saturday’s lineup. Nico Jones replaced Renedi Masampu in defence, while there was a welcome return to the starting XI for Rob Howard, who replaced Fabio Saraiva. Vice-Captain Nathan Young-Coombes led the team out in Saraiva’s absence, as supporters looked forward to an FA Cup clash under the lights at Colston Avenue.
The game got underway, and it was the Robins who had the first opportunity of the game in the third minute. Prince Kandolo whipped in a great delivery from the right-hand side. The cross found Tolu Ladapo, who got his head to the ball but couldn’t direct it on target, as it went over the crossbar.
Despite that opening chance, it was the visitors who had the better of the opening stages, and they nearly opened the scoring themselves in the 13th minute. A curled effort looked like it might beat Ben Dudzinski, but the Carshalton number one did brilliantly to tip the ball over the crossbar.
However, from the resulting set piece, Chertsey took the lead. The visitors whipped their corner in from the right-hand side, with the delivery finding Lachlan Byrd, who was free in the box. He was able to head the ball past Dudzinski to make it 1–0.
The visitors continued to threaten from balls into the box and nearly doubled their advantage in the 29th minute. Another delivery was met by an unmarked Chertsey player, but this time he couldn’t keep his header down, and it went over the bar.
Chertsey were then awarded a penalty kick in the 32nd minute after Josh Koroma was adjudged to have brought down a Chertsey player in the box. Luke Robertson stepped up to take it, just as he did in Saturday’s original tie. This time, Dudzinski guessed correctly, but Robertson’s spot kick was too powerful and found the back of the net to make it 2–0.
The referee blew his whistle for half time, and manager Steven Bates knew his side had work to do to get back into the tie. Bates made one half-time change, bringing on Tyrese Osbourne in place of Josh Koroma to give the Robins some more attacking threat.
The visitors started the second half just as they had ended the first. Ben Dudzinski was called into action after Gary Abisogun let a shot off from just outside the box, but Dudzinski was well placed and was able to hold onto it. Nathan Minhas then went close with a powerful strike, but Dudzinski was able to make the save, with the ball going out for a corner.
Carshalton were starting to grow into the game in the second half and went close in the 52nd minute. A clever passing move allowed Tyrese Osbourne to get on the ball. He was able to get a shot away, and it looked to have Luke Roberts beaten, but the effort went just wide after taking a deflection.
Bates knew he had to roll the dice and brought on Charlie George, Fikayo Atewologun, Donte Augustus and Ada Okorogheye in an attempt to get his side back into the game.
Charlie George was on corner duties and curled a delivery into the box in the 68th minute. Nathan Young-Coombes rose highest to try to head the ball home, but his effort went narrowly wide of the post.
Young-Coombes and George linked up again not long after. This time, Young-Coombes laid the ball off to George, who curled a low effort at goal, but the ball went just past the far post.
Bates’ substitutions paid off in the 78th minute, when two of them combined to reduce the deficit. Academy graduate Donte Augustus whipped a delicious delivery into the penalty area from the left-hand side. The ball reached the back post, where Ada Okorogheye was lurking, and the former Uxbridge man was able to fire the ball first time past the goalkeeper to make it 2–1 and set up a frantic finish to the game.
The goal gave the Robins renewed belief, and they began to pile on the pressure as they searched for an equaliser. Carshalton repeatedly looked to get balls into the box, with Chertsey dropping deeper and deeper as they attempted to protect their lead. The Robins huffed and puffed, with crosses and deliveries being sent into the penalty area, but the Curfews defended resolutely, throwing bodies in the way and doing everything they could to keep the Robins at bay.
As the minutes ticked away, Carshalton continued to push forward, with the visitors increasingly focused on defending their narrow advantage. The Robins continued to look for an opening, but despite their late pressure, they couldn’t find the decisive touch to level the scores.
After five minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the final whistle, with Chertsey running out 2–1 winners to make it through to the second qualifying round, where they will host AFC Greenwich Borough.
It was a disappointing evening for the Robins, who exit the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the second consecutive season. They are now three games without a win after starting the season with five consecutive victories.
Commenting on X after the game, manager Steven Bates said: “We couldn’t quite get over the line today, and the disappointment is real! Thank you to the Carshalton fans, but we left ourselves too much to do.”
Up next, the Robins return to league action, looking to return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, when they host Dartford at Colston Avenue.
Up Next
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Opponents: Dartford FC
Competition: Isthmian League
KO: 3pm
Venue: Colston Avenue, SM5 2PW
Admissions: Ticket Prices on the gate: Adult £14, Concession £10, U18 £7
Advance online bookings: Adult £13, Concession £9, U18 £6
Women & Girls FREE
Online booking closes 3 hours before KO
Tickets: Purchase Here or at the turnstiles
