CAFC Women vs Crystal Palace XI – Preview
Carshalton Athletic Women continue their preparations for the new season on Tuesday evening as they take on a young Crystal Palace XI in their final pre-season test.
After an encouraging start to pre-season, the Robins will be looking to build momentum, sharpen their match fitness and further integrate new and returning players ahead of their first campaign at Tier 6.
Carshalton Athletic
It has been another remarkable period of progress for Carshalton Athletic Women, with the club now preparing to embark on its first-ever season at Tier 6.
Formed in 2024, the Robins made an immediate impression during their first campaign under Aaron Lamont. Carshalton finished second in the Surrey Premier Division in 2024/25, collecting 13 victories, one draw and just two defeats from their 16 league fixtures.
Their impressive debut season was rewarded with silverware, as the Robins lifted the Surrey Divisional Cup after a convincing 4-1 victory over Croydon FC in the final at Meadowbank. It was the first major trophy in the short history of the women’s team.
Carshalton went on to improve their league record in their second season. The Robins won 16 of their 18 matches, losing only twice, and produced several emphatic victories on their way to another outstanding campaign. Despite those impressive numbers, they narrowly missed out on the Surrey Premier Division title, with Dorking Wanderers U23s finishing above them.
The Robins did, however, retain their Surrey Divisional Cup. After overcoming Sutton United Reserves and Dorking Wanderers U23s, who would ultimately claim the league title, Carshalton secured their place in the final. A dominant performance against Milford & Witley ended in a 6-1 victory, ensuring the trophy remained at the club for another year.
That combination of league and cup success left Carshalton in contention for promotion, although there was an anxious wait for confirmation. Their reward eventually arrived in June, when the club was officially promoted to the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North.
The new campaign will also bring a change in leadership. After two highly successful seasons, Lamont departed his role as first-team manager to become assistant manager at Tier 5 Farnham Town, where he has joined former AFC Wimbledon manager Kevin Foster.
Club captain Georgie Edwards has subsequently taken over as first-team manager. Edwards is set to continue playing alongside her managerial duties, giving the Robins a player-manager at the helm as they prepare for the next stage of their development.
Pre-season has provided a mixed but useful series of tests. Carshalton began with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to established Tier 6 side Ashmount Leigh before responding with a 4-0 win against AFC Croydon at Colston Avenue. After a goalless first half, the Robins found another gear after the interval, scoring four times, with Edwards among the goalscorers.
They followed that up with another victory against Bromley Development. Carshalton established a 3-0 advantage through Suzanne Davies, Abz Iggy and Dee Badley before Bromley responded with two second-half goals. The visitors were unable to find a leveller, allowing the Robins to claim their second win of pre-season.
Most recently, Carshalton faced Sutton United. The Robins took the lead and remained ahead until the latter stages, but a difficult finish saw Sutton score four times to turn the game around and secure a 4-1 victory.
The Season Ahead
The 2026/27 campaign represents another significant milestone for Carshalton Athletic Women as they step into the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North.
Promotion was confirmed in June following another hugely impressive season in the Surrey Premier Division. Carshalton’s record of 16 wins and only two defeats from 18 league games ultimately proved sufficient to earn their place at Tier 6, despite finishing as runners-up behind Dorking Wanderers U23s.
The Robins will now face a new group of opponents, with 11 other clubs making up the division. Alongside Carshalton, Maidstone and Tooting Bec have also been promoted, while Ebbsfleet United and Sport London e Benfica arrive following relegation from Tier 5.
Actonians Reserves, Camden Town, Clapton Community, Dulwich Hamlet Reserves, Hackney, Herne Bay and AFC Greenwich Borough all remain in the division from last season, meaning the Robins will encounter a mixture of familiar and new opposition throughout the campaign.
The league season begins on Sunday 16th August, when Carshalton travel to Herne Bay for their opening fixture. Their attention will then quickly switch to the FA Cup, with the Robins having already discovered their route through the opening rounds of the competition.
Carshalton will begin their FA Cup campaign in the Preliminary Round with a trip to Hollands & Blair on Sunday 23rd August. Should the Robins progress, they will face another away tie in the First Qualifying Round, with the winners hosting Tonbridge Angels on Sunday 6th September.
The step up to Tier 6 will present a new challenge for Edwards and her squad, with stronger opposition, unfamiliar venues and a demanding schedule all awaiting them. However, given the rapid progress made since the team was formed, there is plenty of reason for optimism.
After two successive seasons of league success and back-to-back Surrey Divisional Cup triumphs, the Robins will now look to establish themselves at their new level while continuing to build on the foundations that have taken the club this far.
Crystal Palace XI
Crystal Palace Women have continued to develop rapidly in recent years, with the club placing a strong emphasis on developing its women’s side and creating a pathway for young players to progress.
The Palace first team competes at the highest level of the women’s game in England, providing an excellent environment for players to test themselves against some of the best sides in the country. Alongside their senior squad, the club also places significant importance on player development, with young players gaining valuable experience through competitive fixtures.
Tuesday’s opponents will be a young Crystal Palace XI, giving a number of developing players the opportunity to gain valuable minutes and experience against senior opposition.
For Carshalton, the fixture represents an excellent test ahead of the new campaign. Facing a side containing talented young players from a professional footballing environment should provide Edwards’ squad with a different challenge to those they have encountered during the rest of pre-season.
The Palace XI are likely to bring plenty of energy, technical ability and enthusiasm to the fixture, while the experience of playing against a team from a higher level of the women’s game will give the Robins another useful opportunity to assess their progress.
With the new season now just days away, the fixture should provide a final chance for both sides to fine-tune their preparations. For Carshalton in particular, it will be an opportunity to build confidence, test themselves against strong opposition and ensure they are ready for the step up to Tier 6.
Team News
There has been plenty of activity behind the scenes over the summer as Georgie Edwards has put her squad together for the club’s first season at Tier 6.
The new player-manager has been working to maintain the core of a side that has enjoyed considerable success over the past two seasons while also strengthening the squad ahead of the step up. A showcase fixture took place in June, with preparations subsequently continuing through pre-season training and a series of friendlies.
Defensive duo Maisie Ward and Morgan Parnell both featured in the opening pre-season fixture against Ashmount Leigh and are expected to be important members of Edwards’ squad during the new campaign. Parnell has also taken on the captaincy, being confirmed as the Robins’ new skipper ahead of the 4-0 victory against AFC Croydon.
There are also attacking options returning to the squad. Taylor McCrea is back and will provide an additional option in the final third, while Dee Badley remains an important figure after finishing last season as Carshalton’s leading goalscorer.
Demi Allen also returns to strengthen the defensive options, while Edwards herself is expected to continue featuring on the pitch despite taking on the demands of first-team management.
The summer has also seen several departures from the squad. Kenza Gueriani has moved on after an impressive spell with the Robins, completing a transfer to fellow Tier 6 club Leatherhead.
Xaidan Gooding, meanwhile, has made the step up to Tier 5 after joining Farnham Town. Gooding spent last season with Carshalton on loan and will now link up with her former manager Aaron Lamont once again.
Leanne Bell has also joined Farnham Town, meaning she and Gooding will reunite with Lamont following his appointment as assistant manager at the Hampshire-based club.
With a mixture of established players, returning faces and new additions, Edwards will be hoping her squad is ready for the demands of Tier 6. Tuesday’s final pre-season fixture provides one last opportunity to assess the squad before competitive action begins.
Pre-Match Analysis
With the new season just around the corner, Tuesday’s fixture provides Carshalton with one final opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for life at Tier 6. The Robins have recorded two wins and two defeats from their four pre-season fixtures so far, producing encouraging performances while also highlighting areas to improve. The young Crystal Palace XI should provide a strong test, with their energy and technical quality likely to challenge Edwards’ side. With fitness, organisation and confidence all key priorities ahead of Sunday’s league opener, the Robins will be hoping to finish pre-season on a positive note and carry that momentum into the new campaign.
Match Details
Date: Tuesday 11th August 2026
Opposition: Crystal Palace XI
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Copers Cope Road, BR3 1RJ
Kickoff: 8pm
Admission: Free Entry
