Robins Win At Lewes -

Robins Win At Lewes

Carshalton Athletic picked up an important three points on Tuesday night, winning a tense encounter 3–2 against Lewes at the Dripping Pan.

The game got underway with the Robins making a blistering start. Inside the first minute, Mason Saunders-Henry fired a shot from outside the box which was pushed away by Louis Rogers. The rebound fell kindly to Kola Salami, who reacted quickest to tap home and give Carshalton an early lead.

It was the perfect start for the visitors, but Lewes soon began to settle and equalised in the ninth minute. Ryan Bernal delivered a cross from the right-hand side that evaded everyone – including goalkeeper Matt Kerbey – and nestled into the far corner.

The Rooks kept up the pressure after drawing level and almost went ahead on 14 minutes when Christian-Law smashed a long-range effort against the crossbar. Fortunately for the Robins, the ball bounced away to safety.

That proved to be only a temporary reprieve, as Lewes took the lead three minutes later. From a corner on the left, Bernal sent in an inswinging delivery that, much like his first, missed everyone and found the back of the net to make it 2–1.

On 32 minutes, Taylor-Crossdale found space on the right and fired a shot towards goal, but Kerbey was equal to it, tipping the ball away for a corner.

At the other end, Carshalton began to regain their composure. Saraiva forced Rogers into a save before a slick exchange between Saunders-Henry and Ladapo ended with Rogers denying Ladapo’s powerful strike.

With half-time approaching, the Robins found their equaliser. A corner from the right by Saraiva picked out Salami at the far post, and the striker rose highest to head home his second goal of the night, making it 2–2.

At the interval, fans from both sides sensed there were more goals to come. The windy conditions and slippery surface were causing problems for both defences.

Carshalton started the second half brightly, with Salami going close to completing his hat-trick but firing over. On the hour mark, the Robins appealed for a penalty when Ifeanyi was bundled over in the box, but the referee waved play on. Moments later, Josh Shonibare was pulled down, and this time the referee did point to the spot. Usually so reliable from 12 yards, Fabio Saraiva stepped up – but dragged his penalty wide.

It was a big chance missed, but the Robins didn’t let it faze them and regained the lead in the 74th minute. A neat move found Saunders-Henry inside the box, and he cut the ball back for Tolu Ladapo, who coolly guided it into the net to make it 3–2.

The final 15 minutes were tense, but Carshalton defended resolutely to see out the win. The victory moves the Robins up to ninth in the table and extends their unbeaten league run to five games.

Attention now turns to Saturday, when the Robins host Aveley – a side unbeaten in the league since 15th September. As Carshalton Athletic support the National League’s ‘3UP’ campaign, kick-off will be at 3:03pm.