Robins Win On Opening Day
Carshalton Athletic got their Isthmian Premier Division campaign off to the perfect start on Saturday with a 2-0 away win against AFC Whyteleafe.
Manager Steven Bates named a strong side for Saturday’s curtain raiser. Fabio Saraiva, who was recently named as captain for the season, led his side out. Ben Dudzinski returned to the starting lineup in goal, Ethan Kaiser started at centre-back, and Nathan Young-Coombes led the line up front.
Nathan Young-Coombes got the game underway, and the opening stages were cagey as both sides settled into the game. It was a warm afternoon at Flamingo Park, with both teams looking to find their rhythm in the early stages. The Robins enjoyed plenty of possession without creating any clear-cut opportunities, while Whyteleafe were also struggling to find a way through the Carshalton defence. Both sides were patient in their build-up, with neither goalkeeper seriously tested during the opening ten minutes.
Carshalton had the first opportunity of the game in the 10th minute. Young-Coombes picked up the ball outside the penalty area, looked up and saw Whyteleafe goalkeeper Slav Huk off his line. Just as he did against AFC Wimbledon XI in pre-season, he attempted a lob, but this time the effort went just over the crossbar.
AFC Whyteleafe were growing into the game themselves, and they had their first opportunity in the 20th minute. Ade Cole did well to beat a few players before trying his luck from outside the box. The strike took a deflection and nearly beat Dudzinski, but the effort ended up just over the crossbar and out for a corner.
Cole went close again shortly after. This time, he raced through into the box from the right-hand side and went one-on-one with Dudzinski, but the Robins stopper got down well to make the save.
Whyteleafe would live to rue that missed opportunity, as just a few minutes later the Robins took the lead. Carshalton won a free kick on the left-hand side, which was taken by Jack Jebb. The former Arsenal youngster launched a dangerous delivery into the penalty area. Centre-back Prince Kandolo rose highest and got his head to the ball just ahead of goalkeeper Slav Huk, with the ball rolling into the back of the net to give the Robins a 1-0 lead.
Carshalton were in the ascendancy and nearly made it 2-0 on 36 minutes. Nathan Young-Coombes struck an effort from just outside the box. The strike was low and travelled through a crowd of bodies, and it looked like it would sneak into the bottom corner. However, Huk got down well to tip it around the post.
Young-Coombes went close again shortly after. Jack Jebb’s ball in from the left-hand side was met by the head of Young-Coombes, but the header was straight at Huk, who was able to push it away.
The Robins then had a golden opportunity to double their advantage on 42 minutes. Nathan Young-Coombes raced into the penalty area before being brought down, with the referee pointing straight to the penalty spot. Young-Coombes stepped up to take it and hit the ball low to Huk’s left. However, Huk, known for being a penalty specialist following his shootout heroics in last season’s playoffs, was able to guess correctly, and the former Dorking man held onto the spot kick.
The referee blew for half-time, with the Robins 1-0 up. Manager Steven Bates would have been happy with his side’s performance in the first 45 minutes, but would have been frustrated that his side wasn’t further ahead given the chances they had created.
AFC Whyteleafe got the second half underway, and the Robins made a positive start to the half. Within the first few minutes, Jack Jebb lashed a shot at goal from just outside the area, which tested Slav Huk, but the Whyteleafe stopper was able to make the save.
The Robins went close again on 54 minutes. Young-Coombes did well on the right-hand side and played a powerful ball across the penalty area. Tolu Ladapo was on the end of it and tried to divert the ball towards goal, but Huk did well to make the save.
The Robins finally capitalised on their advantage, doubling their lead on 61 minutes. Whyteleafe had the ball at the back, but Tope Fadahunsi and Nathan Young-Coombes were pressing hard to try and win the ball back. That pressure forced a mistake from Whyteleafe, and the Robins were able to steal the ball back on the right-hand side. The ball was played across to Jack Jebb, who fired it into the far corner to make it 2-0.
AFC Whyteleafe weren’t giving up and were still attempting to get back into the game. On 74 minutes, Francis Mampolo got into a good position for the hosts outside the box, but dragged his shot wide. Mampolo was involved again on 84 minutes and let fly with a powerful shot at goal. However, Dudzinski was alert and did brilliantly to tip the ball away for a corner to preserve his clean sheet.
Carshalton had made a number of changes in the second half, including bringing on Charles Hagan and Josh Koroma. The two combined well in the 88th minute, with Hagan delivering a ball in from the right-hand side. Koroma found himself in a decent position, but couldn’t keep his shot down as the effort went over the crossbar.
Whyteleafe won a late corner as they looked to snatch a goal back and set up a frantic finish. The delivery was met by the head of Aaron Goode, but the AFC Whyteleafe defender headed over the crossbar.
Carshalton then had two late chances in stoppage time to put the icing on the cake. Tyrese Osbourne cut the ball back to Josh Koroma, who aimed his strike for the far corner, but saw his effort fly just wide of the far post. From the next move, Charles Hagan raced into the penalty area and fired an effort towards the bottom corner, but the strike went agonisingly past the far post.
After a lengthy stoppage-time period, the referee blew his whistle for full-time, securing a hard-fought 2-0 win for Carshalton. The players went over to celebrate with the large contingent of Robins fans who made the journey over.
Attention now turns to Monday night, when the Robins have their first home game of the season, hosting Wingate & Finchley at Colston Avenue (7:45pm KO).
Up Next
Date: Monday 10th August 2026
Opponents: Wingate & Finchley
Competition: Isthmian League
KO: 7:45pm
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
Online booking closes 3 hours before KO
Tickets: Purchase Here or at the turnstiles
