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Carshalton Athletic edged through to the next round of the FA Trophy on penalties after Cray Valley PM had twice levelled the scores at 2-2 in 90 minutes.
The Millers, who included four ex-Robins in their starting line-up in Kiki Oshilaja, Antone Douglas, Daniel Bennett and Kershaney Samuels, settled the quicker and forced Danny Bracken into two good saves from Bennett and Adam Coombes.
As Carshalton came into the game more, however, only a spectacular goal line clearance from Connor Dymond denied Calvin Ekpiteta giving the Robins the lead after he had been put through by Femi Akinwande. Carshalton did take the lead though after 37 minutes when Akinwande freed himself of his marker with a smart turn before firing past Chris Lewington from outside the penalty area.
If that was the cue for Carshalton to push on against their lower division opponents, the Millers hadn’t read the script. Just six minutes later, the combative Adam Coombes levelled for the visitors with a shot that went in off the inside of the post.
After the break, Samuels had tested Bracken with a well hit 25 yard shot before Carshalton restored their advantage. Eighteen-year-old Matthew Vigor, signed on loan from Crystal Palace 10 days previously, marked his debut by side footing in from 12 yards after good work by Walter Figueira.
Once again though, the Robins couldn’t hold on to the lead for long. Cray Valley skipper Dymond challenged for a corner at the far post and when the ball dropped at his feet he fired powerfully into the far corner.
FA Trophy rules dictate that, with the score at 2-2 at full time, the game went straight to penalties. With Arthur Lee, Tom Beere, Brad Williams and Ollie Cook each converting Carshalton’s first four penalties, a Bracken save from Samuels, and a wild miss from Ade Adeyemo, were enough to take the Robins into the hat for the first round draw on Monday.
Carshalton Athletic: Bracken, Lema, Mvemba, Cook, Hamblin, Beere, Williams, Bradford, Ekpiteta, Figueira, Akinwande.
Substitutes: Lee (for Mvemba 45’), Vigor (for Bradford 63’), Smith-Joseph (for Akinwande 79’), Sow, Allen.
Cray Valley PM: Lewington, Oshilaja, Dymond, Douglas, Williams, Black, Samuels, Gayle, Ibrahiym, Bennett, Coombes.
Substitutes: Majekodunmi (for Black 69’), Adeyemo (for Bennett 70’), Chambers, Tumkaya.
Scorers: Akinwande 37’, Coombes 43’, Vigor 73’, Dymond 79’
UP NEXT
Carshalton have little time to savour their passage to the next round as they play their first Isthmian League Premier Division game for over two weeks on Monday 10th October (7.45pm kick off) at Colston Avenue against high flying Aveley.
Tickets: https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/tickets
Online Ticket prices: Adult (over 17) – £11; Senior (over 65) – £8; Child (under 18) – £3. (All tickets £1 more if bought at turnstiles).
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