Carshalton Athletic began their preparation for the new season with a 1-0 win against Ryman Division One South neighbours Whyteleafe.

Hayden Bird took a squad of 21 to the game and gave a runout to nine new players as he embarks on the job of finalising his first team group for the coming league campaign.

The Robins had the edge for most of the game with new striker Leigh Bremner coming close in the early stages before he picked up an ankle injury on the uneven pitch that saw him replaced on the half-hour mark.

Lewis Gonsalves appeared to have given the Robins the lead when he headed home, only to be denied by the lineman's offside flag.

The only real chance that came the way of the home team was cleared off the line late in the first half and Phil Wilson in goal enjoyed a generally quiet time on his Carshalton debut.

Both managers took the opportunity to change their line-ups in the second period and the only goal of the game was scored on 65 minutes when one of Carshalton's home-grown prospects, Reece Wilson, cut in from the right, turning his marker before placing a fine shot low into the corner of the net.

A good workout for both teams with lots more serious work to come in the next few weeks.

Carshalton squad: Phil Wilson, Stuart Harte, Matt York, Lewis Gonsalves, Ryan Watts, Liam Collins, Paul Honey, Junior Kadi, Dwain Clarke, Leigh Bremner, Richard Jolly, Barry Stevens, Stuart Robinson, Tony Chaplin, David Graves, Liam Harwood, Reece Wilson, James Evans, Bashir Alimi, Glen Boosey, Danny Elgar.Last season's leading goalscorer, Phil Ruggles, left the club in a surprise move in midweek to sign for Blue Square South club, Basingstoke Town.

His departure has coincided with the arrival of striker Leigh Bremner from Folkestone Invicta.

He is a welcome addition to the Robins squad, having finished last season as the Kent side's supporters' player of the season.

Also moving out of Colston Avenue is goalkeeper Aaron Howe who has joined Blue Square South side, Hayes & Yeading.

The situation with regard to Liam Harwood remains unclear.

The Robins have been unable to agree a fee with Bromley for the transfer of their contract player who has been invited for further trials with Bristol Rovers before the end of the month.

Carshalton experienced a major disappointment this week when they were advised by Premier League side Fulham that they would be unable to send a side to Colston Avenue to fulfil the friendly match scheduled for on Saturday (July 26) due to commitments elsewhere.

Despite their best efforts, the club have not been able to find alternative opponents at such short notice and the remaining friendly fixtures are now as follows:

Tuesday, July 22 (6:30pm): DULWICH HAMLET (LSE Sports Ground); Tuesday, July 29 (7.30pm): REDBRIDGE (Colston Avenue); Saturday, August 2 (3pm): FARNBOROUGH TOWN (Colston Avenue); Saturday, August 9 (3pm): Walton & Hersham (away).The games against Redbridge and Farnborough, originally due to be played at the club's training facility at the LSE sports ground, have now been switched to Colston Avenue.The Ryman League has now published the Premier Division fixture list for the 2008-09 season and the Robins will begin their campaign with a home game at Colston Avenue against Margate on Saturday, August 16.

This is followed by two away games, against last season's promotion play-off side Hornchurch on Tuesday, August 19, and Harrow Borough on Saturday, August 23.

Remaining games in August are at home against Horsham on Bank Holiday Monday (25th) and away to Billericay Town on Saturday (30th).

The club now have a new address for its official internet website - carshaltonathletic.co.uk