CAFC Women vs Dorking Wanderers U23 – Preview
Following their sixth consecutive win on Sunday against Walton & Hersham, Carshalton Athletic return to Colston Avenue this weekend for what is arguably their biggest game of the season so far – a Surrey Divisional Cup semi-final clash with Dorking Wanderers U23.
Carshalton Athletic
Since a 5–4 defeat to local rivals Sutton United Reserves in November, the Robins have been in outstanding form across all competitions, winning their last six matches.
They responded to that setback by winning their final match before Christmas, securing a 2–0 victory away at Croydon FC, courtesy of a debut brace from Nadia Sabania.
The Robins began 2026 strongly with a 3–1 home win over Merstham, thanks to goals from Honey Dulley, Dee Badley and Nadia Sabania. They then continued their Surrey Divisional Cup defence in emphatic fashion, beating South Park Reigate 13–0 in the quarter-finals. It was an impressive display, with nine different players getting on the scoresheet: Sabania (3), Davies (2), McCrea (2), Badley, Dulley, Eade, Gooding, Gueriani and Underhill.
Although they had no competitive fixture the following weekend, Carshalton faced higher-tier opposition in a friendly against Richmond & Kew and impressed once again, running out 5–1 winners. The goals came from McCrea (2), Badley, Dulley and Gueriani.
The final game of January saw the Robins host Chessington & Hook at Colston Avenue. Dee Badley scored four goals – including a hat-trick in a devastating 10-minute spell – while Honey Dulley and Nadia Sabania also found the net in a commanding 6–0 victory.
Last time out, Carshalton travelled to Walton & Hersham and raced into a 3–0 half-time lead thanks to a brace from Badley and a Dulley strike just before the break. The Robins picked up where they left off in the second half, adding further goals through McCrea, Ward and Dulley before conceding a late consolation, sealing a 6–1 win.
This weekend brings a break from league action and a stern test against Dorking Wanderers U23 in the Surrey Divisional Cup semi-final.
Surrey Divisional Cup
The Surrey Divisional Cup is contested by teams from both the Surrey Premier Division and Surrey Division 1. Division 1 sides entered in the first round in October, with Premier Division teams joining at the last-16 stage in November.
Last season, Carshalton went all the way to lift the trophy. Entering at the last-16 stage, they defeated Dorking Wanderers U23 5–3 at Colston Avenue, with goals from Josie Alderman, Kanita Throp and a hat-trick from Abbie Measures.
A quarter-final walkover against Milford & Witley sent the Robins into a semi-final against Farnham Town, where they avenged an earlier league defeat with a convincing 4–0 win thanks to goals from Kanita Throp, Sarah Chapman and a brace from Maria Andrade.
The final, held at Dorking Wanderers’ Meadowbank Stadium, saw the Robins surge into a 3–0 lead against Croydon FC through Kanita Throp, Aisha Douglin and Kenza Gueriani. Despite a late Croydon goal from current Carshalton forward Dee Badley, substitute Honey Dulley sealed a 4–1 victory to secure the club’s first-ever silverware.
This season, 22 teams entered the competition and the field is now down to four. Carshalton edged past Sutton United Reserves 4–3 in the last 16, thanks to a hat-trick from Dee Badley and a goal from Bianca Underhill. That victory set up a quarter-final tie with South Park Reigate, which the Robins controlled from start to finish, running out 13–0 winners.
Elsewhere, the other semi-final features two Division 1 sides, with Milford & Witley (3rd) facing 6th-placed Hartland at Woolmer Hill School for a place in the final. That guarantees at least one lower-division side in the showpiece, and both will believe they can cause an upset at Meadowbank later in the season.
As the competition reaches its decisive stage, every remaining side will feel they have a genuine chance of lifting the trophy.
Dorking Wanderers U23s
Last season, Dorking – then competing as ‘Dorking Wanderers Development’ – finished third in the Surrey Premier Division with a record of 10 wins, two draws and four defeats.
This season, however, they have been in imperious form. Their campaign began in September with a 4–0 win over Oxted & District. A 3–2 defeat to Carshalton at Colston Avenue followed, with Kenza Gueriani scoring a dramatic injury-time winner. Since then, Dorking have won 11 consecutive league matches, completing doubles over Manorcroft, Croydon and Chessington, as well as recording victories against Merstham (5–0), Walton & Hersham (7–1) and Oxted (2–0). They were also awarded a walkover against Epsom & Ewell and secured a potentially crucial 1–0 win over Carshalton.
That run leaves Dorking top of the table with 36 points from 13 games, three points clear of Carshalton and five ahead of Sutton Reserves, although Sutton have two games in hand.
With five league fixtures remaining, Dorking know that winning all of their remaining matches would secure the title. However, a difficult run-in awaits, including a trip to Merstham and two fixtures against Sutton Reserves.
Dorking have also impressed in the Surrey Divisional Cup, winning 7–0 against Chessington & Hook in the last 16 before following up with a 5–0 home victory over Croydon FC in the quarter-finals. That set up Sunday’s semi-final with Carshalton – a tie that promises to be an entertaining encounter.
Team News
In recent matches against Croydon FC and Walton & Hersham, Aaron Lamont had just 12 players available. It did little to hinder results: Carshalton were 6–0 up against Croydon when the match was abandoned, before following up with a 6–1 victory at Walton & Hersham.
However, Dorking will present a tougher challenge, and Lamont will hope to have fresh legs available to maintain intensity throughout the contest. The Robins manager will be aiming for a full squad this weekend.
Head To Head
Carshalton and Dorking met three times during the 2024/25 season – twice in the league and once in the Surrey Divisional Cup.
The first encounter came in September at Colston Avenue, where a newly assembled Carshalton side were still settling. Dorking capitalised and secured a 2–0 win through goals from Bates and Kamara.
The teams met again in December in the Surrey Divisional Cup last 16, also at Colston Avenue. This time, Carshalton prevailed 5–3, with goals from Josie Alderman, Kanita Throp and a hat-trick from Abbie Measures. That result sparked a memorable cup run, culminating in a 4–1 final victory over Croydon FC at Meadowbank in May.
Their final meeting of that campaign came in February at Oakwood Sports Centre, where Carshalton delivered a convincing 7–0 win. Kenza Gueriani scored, while Maria Andrade, Heather Eade and Evie Nebbitt each netted twice.
This season’s first meeting, back in September at Colston Avenue, was a thriller. Dee Badley opened the scoring before Holly Crane equalised from the penalty spot. Heather Eade restored Carshalton’s lead – also from the spot – but Maisie Dale levelled again. With the match heading for a draw, Kenza Gueriani struck a stoppage-time winner to seal a 3–2 victory.
However, the reverse fixture at Oakwood Sports Centre three weeks later went Dorking’s way. Cerys Spilsbury scored in the 11th minute, and the hosts produced a disciplined display to secure a 1–0 win.
Pre-Match Analysis
With both sides battling at the top of the table alongside Sutton, Carshalton and Dorking Wanderers U23 remain in contention for a league and cup double.
Their league meetings this season have been finely balanced – a 3–2 win for Carshalton at Colston Avenue and a 1–0 victory for Dorking at Oakwood Sports Centre.
Another tight contest is expected on Sunday. If the scores are level after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will determine who advances to the final.
Match Details
Date: Sunday 1st March 2026
Opposition: Dorking Wanderers U23s
Competition: Surrey Divisional Cup (Semi Final)
Venue: Colston Avenue, SM5 2PW
Kickoff: 2:30pm
Admission: FREE
