Robins Lose To Brentwood
Carshalton Athletic slipped to a second successive defeat on Saturday, falling to a 4–2 loss against play-off chasing Brentwood Town at Colston Avenue.
Manager Steven Bates made three changes to the side that lost 2–1 to Dulwich Hamlet on Easter Monday. Striker Nathan Young-Coombes returned to the starting XI, alongside Denzel Akyeampong and Eddie Allsopp. Kola Salami dropped to the bench, while Moussa Diarra and Ben Mundele missed out.
The game got underway at Colston Avenue, and it was an important fixture for both sides. Brentwood came into the match sitting in 4th place, looking to secure a result to strengthen their play-off position, while Carshalton were two points clear of the bottom four and aiming to move further away from the relegation zone.
The opening stages were relatively cagey, with both sides settling into the contest without creating any clear-cut chances. However, it was the Robins who broke the deadlock after 15 minutes. The ball was played across to Luke Read in space, and he guided his effort into the bottom corner to make it 1–0 to Carshalton.
It was a fantastic start for the Robins, but their lead lasted just a minute as Brentwood equalised. Daniel Ogunleye delivered a dangerous low ball into the box, which was turned in by Carshalton’s Fikayo Atewologun to level the score at 1–1.
It was a blow for Carshalton to concede so soon after taking the lead. Clear-cut chances remained at a premium for the rest of the half. Nathan Young-Coombes impressed up front, causing problems for the Brentwood defence and being brought down on a couple of occasions as he looked to initiate attacks.
The Robins nearly regained the lead just before the break. On 42 minutes, Young-Coombes found space down the right-hand side and squared the ball to Eddie Allsopp. The former Wingate & Finchley man poked an effort towards goal, but it drifted just wide of Aiden Prall’s post – a let-off for Brentwood.
Carshalton then almost capitalised on a loose header from a Brentwood defender back towards Prall. The header lacked power, allowing Young-Coombes to chase it down, but Prall reacted quickly, rushing out to clear just ahead of the striker.
The whistle blew for half-time with the score at 1–1. Conceding so quickly after scoring would have frustrated Steven Bates, but he would have been encouraged by his side matching a Brentwood team in strong recent form.
The second half began amid a brief hailstorm at Colston Avenue, and Carshalton made one change at the break bringing on Laurence Ernest in place of Renedi Masampu. Brentwood started the stronger of the two sides and made their pressure count in the 54th minute. Kymani Thomas picked up the ball on the left-hand side, beat his marker, and fired into the top corner, giving Hubert Graczyk no chance and putting Brentwood 2–1 ahead.
Brentwood continued to threaten and could have extended their lead on 62 minutes, but were denied by two excellent saves from Graczyk. Substitute Alejandro Machado saw a powerful effort pushed away, and moments later Louie Johnson’s strike was tipped over by the Carshalton goalkeeper.
The Robins responded well and equalised in the 67th minute. The ball was worked to Tolu Ladapo on the left, who drove a low cross into the danger area. It took a deflection off a Brentwood defender, deceiving Prall and trickling into the corner, much to the delight of the majority of the 641-strong crowd – making it 2–2 heading into the closing stages.
However, the scores were level for only ten minutes. Brentwood regained the lead in the 77th minute when Kymani Thomas, again cutting in from the left, fired into the bottom corner to make it 3–2.
This set up a frantic finish, with the Robins pushing forward in search of another equaliser. Carshalton applied pressure and found promising areas, but Brentwood’s physical defence held firm. Seven minutes of stoppage time were added, giving the hosts hope.
However, with Carshalton committing players forward, they were caught on the break. Brentwood surged forward, and the ball found Daniel Ogunleye, who rifled home from just outside the box with virtually the last kick of the game – his 20th league goal of the season – to seal a 4–2 victory.
Following the result, the Robins drop to 18th after Welling United’s win over Dulwich Hamlet. Carshalton now sit just one place above the relegation zone, one point ahead of Hashtag United and two points clear of Cray Valley PM.
Attention now turns to Saturday, when the Robins make their final away trip of the season, travelling to Essex to face second-placed Aveley.
Up Next
Date: Saturday 18th April 2026
Opponents: Aveley FC
Competition: Isthmian League
KO: 3pm
Venue: Parkside, RM15 4PX
Admissions: Adult £14, Concession £10, U16 £5 – Purchase At Turnstiles
