Tooting Get One Hand On The Title With Derby Win
- Official TMUFC
- Apr 18, 2017
- 2 min read
Tooting know that avoiding a 5 goal defeat on the final day of the season against 2nd place Dorking Wanderers will mean they will return to the Ryman Premier Division as champions, after a narrow victory over Carshalton Athletic
With just under 700 people inside the KNK Stadium today Tooting started the game with attacking intent however it was Carshalton who had the first effort on goal when Kalvin Morath-Gibbs headed just over from a corner. Ten minutes later, Tooting had their first real opportunity when Mike Dixon broke through the Robins’ defence to latch on to a ball played over the top. He went to lob the ‘keeper but his effort too went over the bar. Next up to have a shot on goal was Chace O’Neill whose 24th minute effort from range was a foot or two too high. The best effort of the half though came on 36 minutes. Deep inside Robins’ territory, Ashley Robinson sent a long flat throw in towards the 6 yard box. It was headed on by Quincy Rowe and was met by a low diving header from Sandy Cunningham about 4 yards out but much to the dismay of the Tooting players and masses behind the goal his effort struck the foot of the post before being cleared to safety. Four minutes from the break, there was a further opportunity for the visitors when Kingsley Akhionbare broke clear but Kyle Merson stood up well, saving at his near post.
The first opportunity of the second half, once again went the way of the visitors, but this time, Akhionbare blasted his 56th minute effort over the crossbar. Tooting almost broke the deadlock on 77 minutes after Sandy Cunningham played the ball in to Chace O’Neill just outside the box. He took aim but drilled his swinging shot just inches wide of the post. On 83 minutes, as the Terrors won themselves a free kick, just inside their own half, Dan Clements was replaced by Jordan Wilson. The free kick was then taken by Peter Wedgeworth who sent it long and deep into the Carshalton penalty area. Fresh on to the field, Jordan Wilson, running into the box, rose above his marker and headed home past ‘keeper Joe Tupper from 12 yards out, sparking mass celebrations both on and off the field as it gave Tooting the win that meant only a five goal defeat next weekend could now deprive them of the title.
The result ended Carshalton’s playoff dreams, with the Robins needing to overturn an impossible 29 goal deficit on the final day to climb above Hastings
Photo credit: Sam Conquest