Tooting Loot Robins In Boxing Day Derby
- James Barrett
- Dec 27, 2016
- 2 min read
A dramatic added-time goal meant the Ryman South Surrey derby between Carshalton Athletic and Tooting and Mitcham United finished all square, writes James Barrett.
Fifth-placed Carshalton, looking to hunt down Tooting whom sit six points above their hosts, held a 1-0 lead at half-time thanks to Tommy Bradford’s 19th of the season.
And they looked set to claim a morale-boosting victory, especially after Tooting captain Sol Patterson-Bohner was sent off with 10 minutes to go, but visiting midfielder Chace O’Neill popped up in the fourth minute of added time to ensure his side kept the Robins at arms length.
“We felt massively disappointed afterwards, we did enough to win the game while restricting them to just two or three attempts on our goal,” said Carshalton player/manager Peter Adeniyi.
“But, again, we failed to take the chances we made and that’s down to us. It’s great to see the boys being so creative but, for that to bear fruit, it seems we must work on our end product a bit more in training.”
Adeniyi knew how big the derby against Tooting was and he wasn’t afraid to make some big decisions in the lead up to kick-off.
“We had a gameplan – we added the power of Kingsley Aikhionbare alongside the pace of Mickel Miller and Ricky Korboa - and it worked, keeping their defence on the back foot for long periods.
“They weren’t expecting that approach from us and no-one could’ve really complained if we had won.”
Carshalton Athletic next face Walton Casuals away on Saturday 31st December (kick-off 3pm), while Tooting and Mitcham United go on to host Whyteleafe on the same day.
Photo credit: Ian Gerrard