Robins Snatch Point Against Dartford
Carshalton Athletic made it five games unbeaten after a late Fabio Saraiva header secured a 2–2 draw at home to playoff-chasing Dartford.
Manager Steven Bates made just one change to the side that drew 3–3 with now champions Folkestone Invicta. Lawrence Ernest started in place of Leo Young, who dropped to the bench. There was also a return to the squad for Kola Salami, who was named among the substitutes after missing the previous four games through injury.
The game got underway on a mild but windy afternoon at Colston Avenue. The opening stages were closely contested, but it was Dartford who created the first chances. On 13 minutes, Callum Jones had the first attempt on goal, but his curled effort lacked the power to beat Hubert Graczyk in the Carshalton goal.
On 24 minutes, Dan Smith flicked the ball on to Olarewaju, who was well positioned to lash a volley at goal; however, his effort flashed over the crossbar. A few minutes later, the Darts put together a neat passing move, with Sam Odaudu playing a low ball into the box towards Smith, who was inches away from poking the ball home.
Despite creating few chances up to that point, Carshalton took the lead in the 38th minute. Dartford had a throw-in in a dangerous area, but the Robins won possession and broke quickly on the counter-attack. Nathan Young-Coombes threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to Ryan Huke. Huke raced onto it from around 30 yards out, driving towards goal while being closed down by a Dartford defender. The Farnborough loanee found himself one-on-one with Henly and struck at goal. Henly got a touch, but it wasn’t enough to keep the ball out, and Carshalton led 1–0.
Carshalton had two half-chances to double their lead before the break. Just two minutes after the goal, they won a corner on the right-hand side. Saraiva delivered into the danger area, and Luke Read rose highest, directing his header just over the bar.
Shortly before half-time, the Robins won a free kick just outside the box. Eddie Allsopp stepped up, but his effort clipped the top of the wall and went wide for a corner.
The referee blew for half-time with the Robins leading 1–0. Manager Steven Bates would have been pleased with his side’s advantage, particularly given the clinical nature of their goal.
Into the second half, and the Robins went close again in the 54th minute. Lawrence Ernest made a driving run from centre-back and slipped the ball through to Nathan Young-Coombes. The former Brentford striker was through on goal, and goalkeeper Jonathan Henly rushed out of his area to narrow the angle. Young-Coombes reached the ball first but poked his effort wide. He then appeared to be brought down by Henly as he struck his shot, but the referee waved play on and awarded a goal kick.
Dartford equalised in the 59th minute from a corner on the left-hand side. The inswinging delivery was flicked on to the back post, where Sam Odaudu bundled the ball home, with it just crossing the line and nestling into the side netting, with the score now 1–1.
On 65 minutes, Dartford took the lead. From another set piece, the ball was delivered into the box but not properly dealt with by the Carshalton defence, leading to a scramble. Rohan Vaughan was on hand to bundle the ball over the line. The ball initially crossed the line before being smashed home again after Masampu attempted to clear from behind it. There was some confusion for both goals, with the linesman raising his flag, but it was later confirmed he was signalling that the ball had crossed the line rather than indicating an offside or foul. Both goals stood, and it was now 2–1 to the visitors.
Conceding twice from set pieces was a blow for Carshalton, but the Robins responded by putting the visitors under sustained pressure. They dominated possession and kept Dartford pinned back in their own half. There was a late penalty appeal when Luke Read went down in the box after getting in front of his marker, but the referee waved away the protests.
With five minutes of added time signalled and the Robins still trailing, Carshalton threw everything forward. Akyeampong utilised his long throw to deliver balls into the box, attempting to unsettle the Dartford defence, who initially stood firm.
However, the breakthrough finally came two minutes into stoppage time. From the right-hand side, Denzel Akyeampong whipped a dangerous ball into the area. Fabio Saraiva was first to it, heading towards goal. His effort took a deflection off a Dartford defender, wrong-footing Jonathan Henly, and the ball nestled in the bottom corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Carshalton supporters behind the goal as Saraiva made it 2–2.
After five minutes of added time, referee John-Patrick Kane brought the match to a close, with both sides forced to settle for a draw. Dartford remain sixth with a point, now just three points off the playoffs following Brentwood’s defeat. Carshalton stay 17th, but wins for Cray Valley, Hashtag United, and Welling United mean the Robins are now only two points above the bottom four.
Next up, there’s a quick turnaround as the Robins make the short trip to face Dulwich Hamlet on Bank Holiday Monday.
Up Next
Date: Monday 6th April 2026
Opponents: Dulwich Hamlet
Competition: Isthmian League
KO: 3pm
Venue: Champion Hill, SE22 8BD
Admissions: Adult £13.80, Conc £5.90, U13 FREE
