Robins Win Seven Goal Thriller Against Sutton
Carshalton Athletic kicked off their Surrey Divisional Cup defence in style on Sunday, edging out Sutton United Reserves 4–3 in a thrilling seven-goal encounter at Colston Avenue.
Following a two-minute silence for Remembrance Sunday, the game got underway.
The Robins started brightly, with Sargent threading a pass through to Badley, whose early effort went just wide. She didn’t have to wait long to make amends, though – Eade lofted a ball over the top, and Badley finished calmly to give Carshalton an early lead.
Sutton began to grow into the game and created a chance to level after a neat passing move, but the shot hit the side netting. On 14 minutes, the Ambers were level. A corner from the right found Hanna Hevesy, who rose highest to head home.
Carshalton looked to respond quickly. Eade played in Kimble, who took the ball past Langan in the Sutton goal but was forced wide. She cut the ball back to Badley, whose effort was saved well. Sutton then went close themselves, forcing Yarrow into action.
The Robins regained the lead on 26 minutes when Badley broke through again and fired a powerful strike towards goal. Langan got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out, putting Carshalton 2–1 ahead.
Sutton pressed hard for an equaliser before the break. Former Robin Sarah Chapman showed good skill to beat her defender and fired just wide of the far post. Sutton striker Tess Ciccardini then had two chances in quick succession, both narrowly missing the target – a let-off for Carshalton as the referee blew for half-time.
The Robins started the second half brightly. Leanne Bell played a neat ball through to Badley, whose shot was deflected for a corner. Just a minute later, Carshalton extended their lead. Eade’s effort was parried by Langan, but substitute Bianca Underhill – only moments after coming on – was quickest to react, tapping into an empty net to make it 3–1.
Amelia Kimble fired a free kick over the bar on 56 minutes as the Robins looked to kill off the tie, but Sutton refused to give up and pulled one back on the hour mark. The ball fell kindly to Ciccardini in the box, and she made no mistake, slotting her shot under Beth Yarrow.
Carshalton had several chances to restore their two-goal cushion but couldn’t convert. Underhill broke free down the right and whipped in a low cross just beyond the reach of Badley. Moments later, Bell found Hudson-Odoi, but the substitute couldn’t get a shot away. Eade then tried her luck from distance, forcing another good save from Langan.
Sutton continued to threaten and twice came close to equalising. Yarrow got down well to deny Chapman a goal against her former side, and soon after, Dunne’s shot was parried into Chapman’s path – only for her follow-up to go just wide, a huge let-off for the Robins.
Carshalton made Sutton pay almost immediately. Badley raced through on goal and drilled her shot into the bottom corner to make it 4–2.
Despite being two goals down, Sutton showed why they’ve won all six of their league games so far, reducing the deficit again on 73 minutes when Dunne curled a fine effort into the corner to make it 4–3.
The closing stages were tense, with Carshalton pushing forward but Sutton dangerous on the counter. Georgie Edwards almost put the game to bed in the 89th minute, heading Eade’s corner onto the top of the crossbar. Eade had the final chance, her long-range effort tipped behind for a corner
only for the referee to blow the full-time whistle before it could be taken.
A healthy crowd of 136 was on hand, most going home happy as the Robins progressed to the Surrey Divisional Cup quarter-finals. The draw has already been made, with Aaron Lamont’s side set to travel to Surrey Division One outfit South Park (Reigate), with the tie provisionally scheduled for Sunday, 11th January.
Attention now turns to this Sunday, as the Robins begin their Capital Intermediate Cup campaign with a short trip to face Tooting Bec in the last 32.
Up Next
Date: Sunday 16th November 2025
Opponents: Tooting Bec
Competition: Capital Intermediate Cup (Last 32)
KO: 2:30pm (TBC)
Venue: Tooting and Mitcham Community Sports Club, SM4 6BF (3G) (TBC)
Admissions: FREE
