On paper it was a game that neither side dare lose and sadly so the game played out as in a game which highlighted why both sides cancelled each other out and in the end had to settle for a point – a point gained or two lost is probably difficult to tell at this stage but clearly let both bosses frustrated.

Carshalton made the trip round the M25 bottom of the table, and yet in the brightest of all purple kits were first to show after a quiet opening 15 minutes.

The ball was played wide to Tommy Bradford who’s first time cross was met by Bredan Murphy-McVey who volleyed the ball high into the car park! Thamesmead’s first real chance fell to on loan Mikel Suarez, but after leaving the visitors defence in his wake, the on loan Tonbridge man got the ball stuck between his feet and the chance was gone.

The first half really was meandering towards a blank half time score line when disaster struck for the home side. A speculative right wing cross from Niall McManus left simply flew into the top left hand corner of Rob Budd’s net leaving the Mead keeper red faced but in truth little chance of getting anywhere near the cross.

The second improved as now the home side had to chase the game and chances began to come at both ends, although Murphy-McVey could have put the visitors our of sight just moments after the break when after coming in from the left, he stung Budd’s hands from 25 yards.

Jordan Hibbert’s free kick was then touched on and just out of Junior Baker’s reach as the defender stretched at the back post. Thamesmead were then unfortunate when an unlucky bounce off of Carshalton keeper Dean Snedker wrong footed Suarez as the keeper made a hash of a right wing cross.

The equaliser eventually came and it was unlucky 13 for Carshalton as with thirteen minutes left, Hibbert’s free kick was only blocked by the keeper and it was Danny Phillips who just got to the ball ahead of Baker to prod the ball over the line to square everything up.

A point each really was probably about right despite the efforts of Lewis Taylor in the last ten minutes as he twice saw free kicks cannon off of the Thamesmead wall and deflect wide of the Budd’s left post.

In reflection it was a strange game with both sides highlighting their own strengths and weaknesses that have left the teams at the wrong end of the table.

THAMESMEAD – Budd, Hopkins, Roberts, Hibbert, Tozer, Baker, Saunders, Phillips, Suarez, Ibermere (Fairweather-Johnson 69), Monger (Gordon-Young 84)

Subs not used – Butler, Ailey, Ramadan

CARSHALTON – Snedker, Price (Addei 79), Hamilton-Downes, Males, Rowe, Moraes, Mensah (O’Toole 76), Murphy-McVey (Reece 69), Taylor, McManus

Subs not used – Wilson, Woodley

Referee – Mr Smith
Assistants – Mr Mathias and Mr Grimsey