fixtures and results | home page
The visitors took an impressive victory against their Ryman Premier League hosts, with in-form winger Sam Butler bagging another brace of goals.
On a cold night, but a perfect playing surface the home side started brightest and in the fifth minute fullback Rob Watkins crossed from the by-line, the ball flying across a crowded box and tipped away for a corner, subsequently headed over the bar by David Ray.
In the tenth minute Sam Butler was released from midfield, advancing on keeper Nick Hamann, then lobbed him from 25 yards for the opening goal.
As the Robins pushed for an equaliser, Rashid Kamara headed a Richard Jolly cross narrowly over and on 26 minutes Fred Fleming, outstanding in the Leafe defence, headed a fierce goal-bound volley away. Two minutes later Carshalton twice hit the crossbar as the pressure continued. Just before the break came the leveller when Jolly ran through on goal and hit a low left foot shot across the advancing Rob O'Hara into the corner of the net.
After the break it was the hosts who continued to press, forcing a succession of corners and on 57 minutes Butler appeared to handle the ball in his own area, but the appeals were waived away. On the hour a scramble in the Leafe defence saw O'Hara make a fines save to deny Jolly once again.
Paul Scott came on as a 61st minute substitute for Leafe, rested after recent exertions and his impact was immediate. An Ellis Conroy throw-in resulted in a fierce shot on goal brilliantly saved by Hamann; however Scott was first to the rebound and fired home from close range.
As the hosts pressed once again, O'Hara saved from Jolly and Fleming twice blocked goal-bound shots in the 71st minute.
With visiting fans nerves frayed, it was Butler who put the game beyond doubt in the 88th minute, hitting a trademark left-foot drive from 25 yards that sneaked between Hamann and his near post.
Whyteleafe: O'Hara, Aldous, Wilson, Fleming, Coleman R, Goodchild, Hammond (Conroy 51), Platel, McDowall (Ball 83), Coleman D (Scott 61), Butler. Subs not used: Oakins, Royston.