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Hat-trick hero Ottaway eyes top six as Carshalton Athletic close in on Bostik Premier play-offs

Carshalton Athletic’s play-off hopes took a giant leap forward as they recorded two home wins in three days.

The Robins came from behind to see off Folkestone Invicta 4-2 on Saturday with hat-trick hero Harry Ottaway taking most of the plaudits.

And then on Monday night a goal in each half from Danny Dudley and Jacob Mendy was enough to see off Harlow Town and move Carshalton just three points outside the Bostik Premier play-off positions.

The club are now nine league games unbeaten ahead of a trip to Potters Bar Town this weekend.

“We need to stay focused now, every point is vital and we need get as many as we can to keep climbing the table,” said Ottaway, who now has five goals since joining Carshalton after Christmas.

The striker put Carshalton into an early lead on Saturday but Folkestone led by half-time to put the Robins’ promotion aspirations under scrutiny.

“We spoke at half-time about being more aware of things when off the ball and keeping our heads because we knew could get at them,” Ottaway added.

“It was a case of rectifying the negative aspects so we could push on in the second-half.”

And push on they did as Mendy tied things up on the hour before Ottaway took over and completed a hat-trick with two clinical finishes during the last 15 minutes.

“The third goal was my favourite because Tommy Bradford picked my run out perfectly, I’ve guided the ball past the keeper who had come out and there was a bit of suspense as it rolled towards the empty net,” he smiled.

Then, on Monday night, struggling Harlow Town kept Carshalton at bay under the floodlights until the 42nd minute when defender Dudley powerfully headed home a corner kick.

That seemed to relax a frustrated home support who were then treated to an outstanding second as, on 68 minutes, Mendy turned on the afterburners to beat the last defender to a clearance before coolly rounding the goalkeeper to slot home.

And Ottaway, who has also registered six assists in his short time at Colston Avenue, is relishing the task ahead.

“There’s less than ten games left and we are in a good position now,” he added.

“I’ve really been welcomed here by the fans, my teammates and it’s nice to be settled into a squad that really wants to push on.”

Feature image of Harry Ottaway courtesy of Chris Bushe, with thanks

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