Frustration for Robins as Traynor proves spoiler again

The Robins will undoubtedly feel aggrieved to have left Kingsmeadow empty-handed at the end of a Ryman League Premier Division game for long periods of which they had been the better side.

The sense of injustice will have been made worse by the fact that, as in the home game back in August that marked the departure of Hayden Bird, Ks snatched the points with a late goal again claimed by Bobby Traynor, who had scored twice in the earlier encounter.

Carshalton dominated the early stages and showed how dangerous they can be on the break, when Richard Jolly found space on the right to escape Ks' efforts to leave him offside, but his low cross was slightly behind Craig Faulconbridge and the chance was cleared.

Jolly then set up his strike partner with a pass through the middle, but his fierce drive flew just wide.

By comparison, Ks posed few threats, with their attention mostly directed to denying the visitors the lead.

David Woozley lost possession to Rob Sheridan on the right touchline, but the Ks defender spoilt a promising run with a poor cross.

A fine tackle by Justyn Roberts, deputising for the injured Watkins at left-back, gave Rashid Kamara the chance to run at the home defence before sliding the ball through to Karl Murray, but the busy midfielder’s cross-shot was inches wide of the far post as the Robins continued to press.

Murray forced Ks keeper Richard Tolfrey into a fine save late in the half, when he latched on to Kenny Beaney’s free kick and the half ended with Carshalton in the ascendancy.

The best chance of the game fell to Jolly early in the second half with a touch of individual brilliance that was fully deserving of a goal.

He picked up a pass in the left-hand channel and it looked as though he had been forced away from goal, but the Robins striker held off his markers before chipping the ball from a tight angle beyond the advancing Tolfrey, only for his effort to hit the far post before being cleared.

Ks drew a little inspiration from this let-off and, at last, began to come more into the game.

A good break down the right following another Robins attack gave Christian Jolley the chance to advance on the Robins goal, but David Woozley held up the attack long enough for Roberts to complete the clearance.

Simon Huckle’s header was saved and Jolley, coming more into the game, tested Hamann with a fierce drive that was well held by the visiting keeper who was enjoying a good afternoon between the sticks with some confident handling and judgement.

The Robins' frustration increased when Faulconbridge, looking below-par following his midweek illness, was booked for protesting about a foul on Stevens and the momentum seemed to be evaporating from the Robins attacks.

Webb and new signing Stefan Cox came on along the flanks in place of the fading Stevens and Kamara who had been slowed by a heavy tackle.

With time running out, it looked as though Carshalton would have to be satisfied with a share of the points, but any such thoughts were undone on 87 minutes, when Joe Dolan conceded a free-kick 10 yards outside the area, and Ks took maximum advantage with a move that was straight off of the training pitch.

Hesitation over who was to take the kick distracted the Carshalton defenders, who were expecting the ball to be flighted into the area.

Instead, Matt Gray knocked the ball out wide to Traynor on the right and the striker drove in a fierce low shot that was touched in by Dolan as he attempted to clear.

Sadly, the Robins were unable to fashion another chance in the remaining minutes and fell victim to one of the hard lessons of football, namely that that its goals that win games and not possession.

Robins: Nick Hamann, David Ray, Justyn Roberts, Joe Dolan, David Woozley, Kenny Beaney, Barry Stevens (Josh Webb), Karl Murray, Craig Faulconbridge, Richard Jolly, Rashid Kamara (Stefan Cox)

Subs not used: Paul Honey, John Munday, Jones Awuah

Attendance: 380

Forthcoming games

Tuesday, December 1 (7.45pm): Carshalton Athletic v Badshot Lea, Surrey Senior Cup

Saturday, December 5 (3pm): Carshalton Athletic v Aveley, Ryman League Premier Division

Saturday, December 12 (3pm): Carshalton Athletic v Northwood, FA Trophy, first round proper