CAFC Women vs Hackney – Preview
Following Sunday’s narrow 3-2 defeat away to Hollands & Blair in the Women’s FA Cup, the Robins turn their attention back to league action this weekend as they travel to face Hackney.
With both sides still searching for their first league points of the campaign, Carshalton Athletic will be hoping to put their opening-day defeat behind them and make a positive start to their first season at Tier 6.
Carshalton Athletic
Carshalton Athletic Women enter the 2026/27 season facing a new challenge after securing promotion to Tier 6 for the first time in the club’s history.
Formed in 2024, the Robins have enjoyed an impressive rise under Aaron Lamont. Their first season saw them finish second in the Surrey Premier Division, recording 13 wins, one draw and just two defeats from 16 league matches.
That campaign also delivered the club’s first major piece of silverware. Carshalton defeated Croydon FC 4-1 at Meadowbank to lift the Surrey Divisional Cup, providing a memorable end to their debut season.
The Robins built on that success in 2025/26, improving their league record to 16 wins from 18 matches. They suffered just two defeats but once again had to settle for second place, with Dorking Wanderers U23s finishing above them in the Surrey Premier Division.
There was further cup success, however, as Carshalton retained the Surrey Divisional Cup. After victories over Sutton United Reserves and Dorking Wanderers U23s, the Robins produced a dominant display in the final, beating Milford & Witley 6-1.
Their consistent performances across two seasons ultimately earned Carshalton promotion to the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North. The move represents a significant step forward for a team that was only established two years ago.
Promotion has brought change off the pitch, with Lamont departing after two successful seasons to become assistant manager at Tier 5 Farnham Town, working alongside former AFC Wimbledon manager Kevin Foster.
His replacement is club captain Georgie Edwards, who has taken on the role of player-manager. Edwards will therefore have the responsibility of leading the team from the dugout while continuing to contribute on the pitch, making her Carshalton’s first-ever player-manager.
The Robins used the summer to prepare for their new surroundings, playing four pre-season fixtures against a range of opposition.
They began with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Ashmount Leigh before responding with a 4-0 victory over AFC Croydon at Colston Avenue. After a goalless first half, Carshalton found another gear after the break, scoring four times, with Edwards among the goalscorers.
A second pre-season victory followed against Bromley Development. Suzanne Davies, Abi Igbavboa and Dee Badley put the Robins 3-0 ahead before Bromley responded with two goals, but Carshalton held on for the win.
The final friendly ended in a 4-1 defeat to Sutton United. Despite holding the advantage for much of the contest, Carshalton were punished late on as Sutton scored four times in the closing stages.
Competitive football began with a difficult trip to Herne Bay. The Robins were beaten 4-1, although Kaydence Kabadaki provided a positive moment by scoring Carshalton’s first goal at Tier 6.
The FA Cup then provided another test against Kent opposition, with Carshalton travelling to Hollands & Blair. The hosts took an early lead, but Kabadaki responded with a superb strike. Hollands & Blair restored their advantage before extending it after the break, although Igbavboa pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining.
Carshalton were unable to complete the comeback and exited the competition following a narrow 3-2 defeat. Despite the result, the Robins showed plenty of fight and will now turn their attention fully towards establishing themselves at their new level.
The Season Ahead
Carshalton Athletic Women’s promotion means they now face a new group of challenges in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North.
The Robins earned their place in Tier 6 after another outstanding season in the Surrey Premier Division, winning 16 of their 18 league matches. Although Dorking Wanderers U23s claimed the title, Carshalton’s impressive record was enough to secure promotion and continue their rapid rise.
The move up brings a number of new opponents, with Maidstone United and Tooting Bec also promoted into the division. Meanwhile, Ebbsfleet United and Sport London e Benfica have dropped down from Tier 5 following relegation.
Several teams remain from last season, including Actonians Reserves, Camden Town, Clapton Community, Dulwich Hamlet Reserves, Hackney, Herne Bay and AFC Greenwich Borough.
Early results have already shown the variety of challenges Carshalton can expect. Dulwich Hamlet Reserves have made the strongest start, winning both of their opening matches 7-0 and 2-0. Herne Bay, Camden Town and Maidstone United have also begun with victories.
For Carshalton, the first league outing offered an immediate indication of the demands of their new surroundings. Herne Bay recorded a 4-1 victory, although Kabadaki’s goal gave the Robins something to take from their first league appearance at Tier 6.
The early part of the season will be about adapting to the increased level of competition while continuing the progress made since the club’s formation.
Carshalton arrive with plenty of confidence built from consecutive cup triumphs and two highly successful league campaigns. However, the challenge now is to translate that success to a higher level and establish the Robins as a competitive Tier 6 side.
With a new manager, new opposition and a new level of football, the 2026/27 campaign represents another important stage in the development of Carshalton Athletic Women.
Hackney
Last season, Hackney finished ninth in the London & South East Regional Women’s League Division One North. They finished with a record of six wins, two draws and 12 defeats, which was enough to secure another season at this level.
Hackney picked up several crucial victories to secure their status, including a 2-0 win against Herne Bay, a 2-1 victory away to Dulwich Hamlet Reserves, a 5-3 win and a walkover against Soccer Elite, as well as a league double against Ashford United without conceding, winning 2-0 and 3-0.
Their 2026/27 campaign got underway on Sunday 16th August, with a difficult afternoon as they suffered a 7-0 home defeat against Dulwich Hamlet Reserves.
That has been their only competitive fixture so far, as they were not involved in the FA Cup last weekend after being awarded a bye to the first qualifying round.
Hackney will be hoping the result against Dulwich was simply a difficult opening day and will be looking to kick-start their season when they host Carshalton Athletic on Sunday.
Team News
Carshalton have made a number of changes to their squad over the summer as player-manager Georgie Edwards prepares her team for the demands of Tier 6.
While retaining much of the group that has enjoyed success over the past two seasons, Edwards has also brought in several new faces to add depth and competition across the squad.
Maisie Ward and Morgan Parnell both featured in the opening pre-season fixture against Ashmount Leigh and remain important options in defence. Parnell has also taken over the captaincy, becoming skipper ahead of the 4-0 victory over AFC Croydon.
There is plenty of continuity in the attacking ranks, with Taylor McCrea returning to provide another option going forward. Dee Badley also remains with the Robins after finishing last season as the club’s leading scorer, while Honey Dulley begins a third consecutive season with Carshalton.
Demi Allen provides further defensive cover, while Beth Yarrow returns between the posts.
Edwards will continue to combine her managerial responsibilities with her role as a player. The player-manager featured for the full 90 minutes in last week’s FA Cup defeat to Hollands & Blair as she continues to lead by example on the pitch.
The Robins have also strengthened with several additions. Abbie Measures has returned to the club, while Shauna Doherty and Kaydence Kabadaki have joined the squad.
Kabadaki has already made an immediate impact since arriving. She scored Carshalton’s first competitive goal of the season in the opening league fixture against Herne Bay before producing another memorable finish against Hollands & Blair in the FA Cup.
Igbavboa is another new addition who has already found her feet in the squad. After scoring during pre-season, she added her first competitive goal for Carshalton when she came off the bench against Hollands & Blair, reducing the deficit and giving the Robins hope of completing a comeback.
With a combination of players who know the club well and several new additions looking to make their mark, Edwards has assembled a squad with a mixture of experience, familiarity and fresh competition.
The step up to Tier 6 will undoubtedly provide the Robins with their toughest challenge yet, but the squad’s strong foundations and recent success give them plenty of reason for optimism as they begin the next stage of their journey.
Pre-Match Analysis
Sunday’s meeting between Hackney and Carshalton Athletic gives both sides an early opportunity to get their first league points on the board and kick-start their respective seasons.
Hackney endured a difficult opening day, suffering a 7-0 home defeat against Dulwich Hamlet Reserves. It was a challenging start to their campaign, but with that remaining their only competitive fixture so far, Hackney have had time to regroup and prepare for Sunday’s clash. They will be hoping to put that result behind them and produce a much-improved performance in front of their home supporters.
Carshalton are also searching for their first league points after beginning life at Tier 6 with a 4-1 defeat away to Herne Bay. Kaydence Kabadaki scored the Robins’ first goal at this level, giving the visitors something positive to take from a difficult opening fixture.
The Robins were also in FA Cup action last weekend, narrowly losing 3-2 to Hollands & Blair. Carshalton twice found themselves chasing the game but showed plenty of character to remain in contention, with Kabadaki and substitute Abi Igbavboa getting on the scoresheet.
While neither side has enjoyed the start they would have wanted, Sunday’s fixture presents an opportunity for both teams to draw a line under their opening results. Hackney will be looking to respond to their defeat, while Carshalton will want to build on the encouraging aspects of their recent performances and turn them into a positive league result.
On paper, this looks like a closely matched contest, with both teams having plenty of motivation to claim the points. For Carshalton, the key will be continuing to adapt to the demands of Tier 6 while showing the resilience that was evident against Hollands & Blair.
With both sides desperate to open their league accounts, Sunday’s encounter could prove an important early test. A victory would provide a much-needed boost and give either team a platform to build on as the season progresses.
Match Details
Date: Sunday 30th August 2026
Opposition: Hackney
Competition: League
Venue: Match Day Centres, Wadham Lodge, Kitchener Road, E17 4LL
Kickoff: 3:30pm
Admission: Free Entry
Tickets: Free Entry
