CAFC Women vs Croydon FC – Preview
Carshalton Athletic are in league action for the final time in 2025 this weekend as they make the short trip to face Croydon FC.
Croydon FC
After finishing 7th last season, Croydon FC remain in the Surrey Premier Division for 2025/26. They also reached the Surrey Divisional Cup Final, beating Hersham, Epsom & Ewell, and Leatherhead Youth before falling to a 4–1 defeat against the Robins.
This season began slowly for the Trams, who picked up just one point from their first six games. However, they have turned a corner in recent weeks, winning their last three matches: a 2–0 victory at Oxted & District in the Surrey Divisional Cup, followed by a 1–0 league win over Oxted, and a 3–1 win against Walton & Hersham on Sunday.
Carshalton Athletic
Following their 4–3 victory over Sutton United Reserves in the Surrey Divisional Cup, Carshalton have endured a challenging few weeks. A rotated Robins side exited the Capital Intermediate Cup at the first hurdle, losing 2–0 away to Tooting Bec, before suffering a 5–4 home defeat to Sutton Reserves in the league on Sunday.
That defeat dented Carshalton’s title hopes, with Sutton now level on points and holding two games in hand, while Dorking sit three points behind, also with two games in hand. The Robins must put last weekend’s setback behind them and focus on returning to winning ways against an in-form Croydon side.
Team News
After making the move from Croydon to Carshalton over the summer, Dee Badley is set to face her former club for the first time on Sunday. Badley has already scored 17 competitive goals for the Robins this season – 13 in the league, three in the Surrey Divisional Cup, and one in the FA Cup – and will be keen to add to her tally against her old side.
Head to Head
Carshalton and Croydon met four times last season: twice in the league, once in the Capital Intermediate Cup, and in the Surrey Divisional Cup Final in May.
The sides first met last season in Carshalton’s opening league game at Colston Avenue, playing out a 2–2 draw with goals from Heather Eade and Georgie Edwards. In the reverse fixture at Croydon Arena, the Robins won 3–2 thanks to a Sarah Chapman brace and a goal from Lara Rodriguez, with Dee Badley scoring for Croydon.
In the Capital Intermediate Cup last 32, Carshalton claimed a 3–1 home win, with Edwards scoring twice and Abbie Measures also on the scoresheet.
Their final meeting came in the Surrey Divisional Cup Final at Dorking Wanderers’ Meadowbank Stadium. The Robins raced into a 3–0 lead through Kanita Throp, Aisha Douglin, and Kenza Gueriani. Although Croydon pulled one back through current Carshalton forward Dee Badley, substitute Honey Dulley sealed a 4–1 victory to secure the club’s first piece of silverware.
Pre-Match Analysis
Despite sitting 7th, Croydon come into the game in strong form, having won their last three matches in all competitions. They will be confident heading into Sunday’s clash, particularly on home turf.
Carshalton, meanwhile, have not been at their best in their past two outings and will be determined to bounce back and finish 2025 on a high. With last weekend’s defeat to Sutton handing their rivals the initiative in the title race, the Robins need a win to keep the pressure on.
Match Details
Date: Sunday 7th December 2025
Opposition: Croydon FC
Competition: League
Venue: Croydon Arena, SE25 4QL
Kickoff: 2pm
Admission: FREE
