Robins Survive On Final Day

Carshalton Athletic confirmed their Step 3 status for next season with a nervy 1–0 win at home to St Albans City.

Manager Steven Bates made two changes to the side that picked up a 0–0 draw at Aveley last weekend. Rob Howard made his first start for the club in place of Luke Read, while Eddie Allsopp returned to the side in place of Tolu Ladapo.

The game got underway at Colston Avenue, but not before St Albans won the pre-match coin toss and decided to switch ends. It was a warm afternoon, and the good weather, combined with the magnitude of the game, led to a bumper crowd. A total of 1,125 spectators were in attendance – the highest turnout since Carshalton’s FA Cup First Round tie with Boston United in 2019.

Carshalton had the first opportunity of the game after seven minutes. The Robins played a short corner which was delivered into the box, finding Leo Young. He rose highest to meet it but saw his header fly just over Sam Donkin’s crossbar.

Carshalton had the better of the opening stages, but clear-cut chances were hard to come by. It wasn’t until the 40th minute that the crowd saw the first shot on target for either side – and it resulted in the opening goal. Captain Tommy Bradford played a ball across to Nathan Young-Coombes on the left-hand side, who took a touch to shift the ball onto his right foot. From a tight angle, the former Brentford striker curled the ball past Donkin and into the far corner to give Carshalton a 1–0 lead.

It was a fantastic goal from the 23-year-old, marking his fifth in nine appearances since joining the club.

St Albans had a chance to equalise before the break when a header was directed towards goal, but Robins number one Hubert Graczyk was alert, tipping the effort over the crossbar to preserve the lead. The referee blew for half-time shortly after, with Carshalton 1–0 up.

Steven Bates would have been pleased with his side’s first-half performance – solid defensively and clinical in front of goal. With Hashtag drawing 1–1 at home to Dartford and Cray Valley losing 1–0 to Dartford, Carshalton fans were well aware that these results would keep the Robins up if they remained unchanged at full-time.

With a lead to protect, Carshalton were cautious in the second half, committing fewer players forward. This allowed St Albans to grow into the game and take control of the early stages. The visitors had little to lose, sitting 10th at the start of the day with no chance of either a playoff place or relegation.

There was a nervy moment in the 62nd minute when Alex Wall had the ball in the net for St Albans, but the linesman quickly raised his flag for offside, keeping the score at 1–0.

Luke Read, Kola Salami, and Kavalli Heywood were all introduced in the second half as the Robins looked to see out the game. Salami made an immediate impact, using his pace to get into a shooting position, but his effort from a tight angle was saved by Donkin.

At the other end, Hubert Graczyk – who impressed last weekend at Aveley with a penalty save and a clean sheet – was once again in top form. The former Arsenal and Manchester United youth player reacted quickly to push away an effort that had taken a significant deflection, preserving his clean sheet.

Carshalton were reduced to 10 men when substitute Kavalli Heywood was sent off. After receiving his first yellow card in the 77th minute, he picked up a second in the 84th for a late challenge, giving St Albans a numerical advantage for the closing stages.

It was backs to the wall for Carshalton, who made a defensive change to shore things up – defender Moussa Diarra replacing goalscorer Nathan Young-Coombes. Despite being down to 10 men, the Robins still looked to counter, and Salami again found himself in a promising position after latching onto a long ball over the top, but Donkin was equal to his effort.

St Albans threw everything at Carshalton in search of an equaliser, even sending goalkeeper Sam Donkin up for a late corner, but the set-piece came to nothing. After five minutes of stoppage time, referee Samuel Olhausen blew the final whistle to confirm a 1–0 victory.

With Hashtag United losing 2–1 at home to Dulwich Hamlet, the Robins climbed out of the relegation zone at their expense. Cray Valley PM were also unable to avoid relegation, despite securing a late winner in a 3–2 victory at Dartford.

Speaking on ‘X’ after the game, manager Steven Bates said: “This team have stuck with it and kept believing, just like the amazing Carshalton Athletic supporters. We did it!”

First-team coach Kieron Jackson added: “We are safe! The fight and spirit displayed by this group today was truly remarkable! See you next season, Robins!”

The season has now concluded for the men’s team, who can enjoy a well-earned rest. Pre-season fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign are likely to begin in early July, with the league season kicking off in early August.

However, if you’re still in need of your football fix, the women’s team still have two fixtures remaining. Aaron Lamont’s side travel to Chessington and Hook on Sunday 26th April for their final league game of the season, before facing Milford & Witley on Sunday 10th May at Meadowbank in the Surrey Divisional Cup final.