Frimpong special worth the wait
A sensational Kwaku Frimpong strike from inside his own half in added time sealed a crucial 2-0 Carshalton Athletic victory over playoff favourites Chatham Town at Colston Avenue on Saturday.
Entering the final 10 games of the league season at kick off, the Robins knew that a strong finish would be essential to any hopes of securing a playoff spot. And a in a bright opening, Carshalton – with Mason Saunders-Henry and Dominic Vose making solid home debuts – more than matched their-high flying opponents.
After a heart stopping moment when Kareem Iziaka’s block of goalkeeper Aaron Jones’ attempted clearance almost found the Robins net, Carshalton deservedly took the lead. A quick, short corner caught Chatham disorganised defensively and, before they had time to recover, the ball found its way back to Frimpong on the right flank whose cross was met by Joe Bell for his third goal of the season.
From another corner Luke Read saw his header drift just over the bar before, nearing half time, Jones made two important saves from Miguel Scarlett and Isiaka as Chatham found the rhythm that had brought them 16 goals in their previous three games.
The Robins had a good opportunity to extend their advantage early in the second half but Mark Marshall’s shot cleared the bar, while Isiaka once again forced a good save from Jones as the game see-sawed back and forth. A second Robins goal looked on the cards when a defensive mistake put Tommy Bradford in the clear but giant Chatham goalkeeper Mitch Beeney made the save with his feet.
As Chatham threw players forward in the dying minutes, Jones once again had to be alert to turn away a dipping shot from substitute Chris Dickson. When the visitors then won a corner in added timed, everyone, including Beeney, went forward. But with Carshalton having cleared, Frimpong picked the ball up in space and, with cries of “shoot” echoing from around the ground, lifted the ball over the retreating Beeney from 10 yards inside his own half and into the empty net, ending a near six month goal drought for his fifth goal of the season.
Carshalton Athletic: Jones, Read, Beeden, Bell, Kennett, Saunders-Henry, Vose, Marshall, Bradford, Frimpong, Babajide.
Substitutes: Bassett (for Vose 77’), Lucan (for Marshall 87’), Sankoh (for Bradford 90’), Griffiths, Memaj.
Chatham Town: Beeney, Scarlett, Mascoll, Robins, Butler, Nzala, Evans, Yila, Isiaka, Liburd, Nelson.
Substitutes: Dunne (for Nzala 59’), Dickson (for Robins 67’), Beckwith (for Butler 76’), Bodkin, Broad.
Goals: Bell 23’, Frimpong 90+2’.
Up Next
The Robins travel to the Camping World Community Stadium to face Horsham on Saturday 9th March (3pm kick off) knowing the importance of taking points off another playoff contender. For the fans, there is the bonus of the game coinciding with Horsham’s annual beer festival (free entry with match tickets) – with live music from 5pm.
Tickets available online at: https://horshamfc.ktckts.com/brand/match-tickets
Adults – £13; Students, Seniors (over 65) and under 18s – £8; Under 16s – £2
Venue: Camping World Community Stadium, Worthing Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 0AD
