ROCKING ROBINS SHOCK DAGGERS!
Taylor’s men fall victim to big upset
CARSHALTON ATHLETIC reached the first round proper for the first time in over 20 years as Ricky Korboa’s late strike saw off National League side Dagenham and Redbridge in the upset of the round.
The game, played between two clubs separated by 42 league places, came alive after the break as Robins defender Bobby Price opened the scoring on 51 minutes.
Dagenham, who dominated possession throughout, got themselves back level through substitute Reece Grant’s closerange header just after the hour mark.
But Korboa’s seventh goal in six matches was eventually enough to send Colston Avenue into raptures at the end.
Carshalton player-boss Peter Adeniyi told The NLP: “All the boys deserve credit for this result.
“We had a game-plan, which was executed perfectly, and everyone played their part.
“We had asked the players to do themselves and the club proud and that’s exactly what they did.
“We’ll enjoy this moment and look forward to the draw on Monday. I don’t mind who we get because I know we’ll give anyone a game on our day.”
The first half was a tight affair as Carshalton lined up with five at the back and aimed to stifle their National League opponents.
And the best chance of the opening half came on just five minutes as Robins keeper Kleton Perntreou tipped over a James Dobson free-kick.
The Daggers dominated possession but couldn’t find a killer pass to pierce the wall of red shirts, while Carshalton’s only chance of note fell to skipper Paris Hamilton-Downes, who shot wide.
Things changed after the break however as Christie Pattisson’s low cross was only half-cleared by the visitors’ defence and Price steered the loose ball into the bottom far corner.
The home fans began to dream but Daggers sub Grant brought them back down to earth by nodding in Matt Robinson’s cross from close range.
The game swung back and forth after that as Carshalton looked to hurt Dagenham on the break and they did just that with five minutes remaining.
Adeniyi, on as a sub, got the ball out to Korboa and he strode towards goal before planting a low left-footed shot beyond keeper Elliot Justham to send the home fans wild.
“Carshalton’s tactics were very good and we found them hard to break down,” said Daggers manager Peter Taylor.
“The first goal opened the match up and we got a deserved equaliser, but our standards slipped during the last 20 minutes.
“Our final ball hasn’t been good enough in recent matches and that has cost us again today. We dominated possession but we need to start turning that into more goals.”