This is interesting from the Carshalton forum (
carshaltonathleticfans.myfastforum.org/5_0_defeat_at_Faversham_about681.html):
"Felt I might as well chuck in my 2 pence worth.
Although we weren't good, as Colin said last night, it was not a 5-0 game.
In the first half we actually looked decent, the problem just seemed to be almost a fear of taking a shot on goal. But we created plenty, Brendan and Sean looked dangerous down each wing and we had a couple of chances that took the sort of deflection that could take it anywhere, but each time they took the ball into the keepers hands.
Sean O'Toole's booking officially was given for dissent, although reports were (I didn't see it as I was checking the league table in the programme) that he had barged into the referee. Still, at the time the general feeling was that he was lucky to still be on the pitch, so it was hard to begrudge Faversham a penalty a minute later.
Coming out at 1-0 down after half time, surely the instruction must have been to not give away anything stupid early on in the half. Maybe four minutes in, we did what we do so often, we conceded a header from a set piece. From there heads seemed to drop, there were a couple of times where players could have chased after a ball and didn't, the kind of thing that really grates on supporters because even if you're not going to get to the ball first, you can put pressure on the opposition, it just seemed like the effort had dropped a couple of times by a couple of players.
Jack Eden had to go off injured after a collision with one of the Faversham lot and conceding a penalty, with no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, Matt Males took up the gloves and although the final score was 5-0 in the end, he did also produce some good saves. Fair play to him for putting himself up for the role, not everyone would have done that.
At full time I think every single player and Rob all came over to us behind the goal and shook each of our hands, either thanking us for coming or apologising for the performance. It's little things like that that make a difference when you've travelled and stood in the freezing cold for ages, and I think we all appreciated that.
Faversham is only a short way from me in Canterbury so I've seen them a few times this season and I've said from early on that I thought they were certain to go up, I still absolutely think they will, I've been more impressed with them from watching them than I was with Burgess Hill when we went there. I hope they do get promoted, they're a good club with good people there, raising £250 for Jerome Walker reflects that. As for us, not impressive last night but as I say, positives to be taken from the first half particularly. Onwards and upwards for Saturday."
Nice to see some friendlies comments from opposition fans.
I have to agree with most of that, although we were clinical and that's great, they didn't deserve to lose 5-0 based on their first-half display.
It's just one of those things that happens when your luck is out (or in, in our case).
I must say that I was amazed at how their supporters acted, especially when they were getting blown away in the second half.
They still seemed more than happy to be involved with the 'banter' and have a laugh - I certainly would have been in no such mood and know most other fans tend to be similarly annoyed but it was really good to see.
There also seemed to very little bitterness regarding the unfortunate injury in the original game, which again, was good to see - it certainly was far from a horrible challenge and I am sure everyone has acknowledged that now.
I am beginning to agree with Mr Turner that, regardless who we play and where it is, if we play to the best of our ability, we win.
Having said that, It's all well and good for people to tip us for promotion but first we need to prove we can mix-it with anyone in this league.
I can't wait for Saturday because the match against Burgess Hill will provide us with the perfect chance to do so.
Just Deano, Botts and Bourney to come back into the squad after a 5-0 win - that is some serious squad depth.
FAV Army!
