Carshalton Win Late Against Dorking
Carshalton left it late, but Kenza Gueriani’s stoppage-time strike proved decisive in a tightly contested clash against Dorking at Colston Avenue.
With Beth Yarrow suspended following her red card last weekend, captain Georgie Edwards once again stepped in between the sticks, having filled in after Yarrow’s dismissal at Manorcroft. Gueriani began this one on the bench, while manager Aaron Lamont brought Morgan Parnell and Sarah Chapman into the starting XI.
The game kicked off in front of a decent-sized crowd at Colston Avenue, and just four minutes in, the Robins had a golden opportunity to take the lead. Becky Sargent was brought down in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Heather Eade stepped up, struck her penalty low, but the Dorking goalkeeper got down well to make the save.
Despite the early miss, Carshalton maintained their pressure. Bell tested the Dorking keeper with a shot from range, before the breakthrough came in the 13th minute. Dee Badley found space in the box and calmly poked the ball home to put the Robins ahead.
Dorking grew into the game after the opener, creating a handful of chances. A cut-back from the right found a forward in space, but the shot went wide. Edwards was then called into action with a straightforward save using her feet. On 24 minutes, Dorking had their best chance so far – a well-placed ball into the box found an unmarked attacker, but her shot lacked the power to trouble Edwards.
Both sides played a positive brand of football, and Carshalton nearly doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Badley was played through, but her effort rolled just wide of the far post. The action continued to flow, with Dorking delivering a dangerous ball into the area that narrowly missed a finishing touch. Just before half-time, Badley again went close for Carshalton.
In the final moments of the first half, Dorking were awarded a penalty after a foul in the area. Holly Crane stepped up and confidently sent Edwards the wrong way putting the ball into the bottom corner to level the score. The equaliser was a blow for the Robins, but a fair reward for Dorking’s first-half performance as the teams went into the break all square.
Carshalton had the first clear chance of the second half on 57 minutes. Maisie Ward sent a deep free-kick into the box which found Sargent, but she fired over from close range. It was a glorious opportunity, but the Robins didn’t have to wait long for another.
Badley chased down a loose ball in the box and was brought down – the referee pointing to the spot for a third time. Eade, showing no signs of hesitation after her earlier miss, calmly slotted the penalty into the corner.
Although the Dorking keeper guessed correctly, she couldn’t keep it out.
Carshalton pushed for a third, and Badley nearly got it – beating her defender before seeing her effort saved low by the keeper.
Dorking weren’t done yet. On 71 minutes, they fired just wide after a threatening ball into the box. But moments later, they were level again. Maisie Dale broke through and slotted past Edwards, with the ball trickling in and another Dorking forward ensuring it crossed the line.
The equaliser set up a frantic finish, with both sides pushing for a winner. As fatigue set in, spaces opened up, and it looked as though the points would be shared. But in the third minute of stoppage time, Carshalton struck. Substitute Kenza Gueriani pounced on a defensive error and curled home the winner, sparking wild celebrations on the Robins’ bench and among the home supporters, all aware of how vital these three points were in the title race.
The final whistle blew, confirming a dramatic 3–2 win for Carshalton. The Robins will take heart from their resilience – having been pegged back twice – but still finding a way to win with virtually the last kick of the game.
Next up, Carshalton are back at Colston Avenue on Sunday as they host Epsom & Ewell, looking to maintain their 100% league record.
Up Next
Date: Sunday, 28th September 2025
Opponents: Epsom & Ewell Women
Competition: League
KO: 2:30pm
Venue: Colston Avenue
Admissions: FREE
