CAFC Women vs Leatherhead – Preview
Ahead of Sunday’s Surrey Divisional Cup Final against Milford & Witley at Meadowbank, the Robins are in friendly action against higher-tier side Leatherhead at Colston Avenue on Tuesday evening.
Carshalton Athletic
2026 has been a brilliant year for the Robins, who have won ten and drawn one of their 11 matches so far.
They began the year 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.
Carshalton then took on Croydon FC at Colston Avenue and led 6–0 at half-time, with goals from Leanne Bell (2), Honey Dulley (2), Kenza Gueriani, and Taylor McCrea. However, five minutes into the second half, the game was abandoned following an injury to the Croydon goalkeeper. The Robins were later awarded the win and the three points by the league.
Carshalton then 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 to seal a 6–1 win.
The Robins then hosted Dorking Wanderers U23s in the semi-finals of the Surrey Divisional Cup. Carshalton made a fast start, with Bianca Underhill opening the scoring after three minutes, but Dorking equalised through Maisie Dale. Carshalton went into half-time 2–1 up following Dee Badley’s strike before the break, but Dorking levelled again in the second half through Holly Crane. Carshalton went ahead for a third time via a Georgie Edwards free-kick, and Badley made it 4–2 shortly after. Holly Crane pulled one back to set up a nervy finish, but the Robins held on to book their place in the final for the second consecutive season.
Carshalton then travelled to face Bognor Regis Town in a friendly. The Robins raced into a 2–0 lead thanks to goals from Dee Badley and Taylor McCrea. Although they led at the break, Bognor fought back in the second half, with Millie Carter’s brace setting up a frantic finish. No further goals followed, and both sides settled for a 2–2 draw.
The final game in March saw the Robins make the short trip to the David Weir Leisure Centre to take on local rivals Sutton United Reserves. Carshalton ran out 2–0 winners thanks to goals from Leanne Bell and Taylor McCrea.
Last time out, the Robins faced Oxted & District at Colston Avenue and were in scintillating form, securing their fourth double-digit win of the season with a 10–0 victory. Goals came from Leanne Bell (2), Bianca Underhill (2), Taylor McCrea (2), Hallie Dudley (2), Honey Dulley, and Georgie Edwards.
The Robins were scheduled to travel to Epsom & Ewell, but the hosts withdrew from the fixture – along with their remaining league games – so Aaron Lamont’s side were awarded another three points.
In their most recent outing, the Robins took on Chessington & Hook United at Chalky Lane in their final league game of the season. Carshalton controlled proceedings and ran out 4–2 winners thanks to a goal from Kenza Gueriani and a hat-trick from Dee Badley.
Carshalton now have just two games left this season: Tuesday’s friendly at home to Leatherhead, followed by the Surrey Divisional Cup Final against Milford & Witley on 10th May at Dorking Wanderers’ Meadowbank Stadium.
The Title Race
Last season, Farnham Town won the Surrey Premier Division title with 15 wins and just one defeat. Carshalton mounted a strong challenge, winning 13, drawing one, and losing two of their 16 matches, but that proved insufficient for either the title or promotion.
This season, three teams were in contention throughout a fierce battle, but the title race was finally decided on 19th April. Dorking Wanderers U23s travelled to Collingwood Rec to face Sutton United Reserves, knowing that a point would secure the title. Dorking showed no signs of nerves, racing into a 3–0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Holly Crane, Carla Peralta, and Maisie Dale. They comfortably saw out the second half to secure both the win and the title.
Dorking finished with 51 points – a record of 17 wins and just one defeat – averaging an outstanding 2.83 points per game. Their only blemish was a 3–2 defeat at Colston Avenue in September, where Kenza Gueriani scored a stoppage-time winner.
That defeat for Sutton confirmed that Carshalton finished second once again. The Robins ended their league season on 48 points from 18 games, with a record of 16 wins and just two defeats.
Sutton Reserves also mounted a strong challenge, winning their first 11 games. However, they picked up just eight points from their next seven matches, finishing the season on 41 points from 18 games after concluding their campaign on 3rd May with a 3–1 victory against Chessington & Hook.
Leatherhead
After a third-place finish in the London & South East Regional Division 1 North last season, Leatherhead were laterally transferred to Division 1 South for the 2025/26 campaign.
The Tanners have put together another impressive season and currently sit in fourth place, with a record of 11 wins, two draws, and four defeats from their 17 matches so far.
Leatherhead also made progress in the FA Cup, winning two rounds against Nursling & Shirley (9–0) and Aylesford (2–1), before bowing out to fourth-tier side Dulwich Hamlet (2–0).
In the league, the Tanners have recorded some emphatic victories, including 6–0 home wins over Sevenoaks Town and Hastings United, a 5–0 win at home to Bexhill United, and a 7–1 victory in the reverse fixture.
Leatherhead have one final fixture on Sunday – a trip to Montpelier Villa. A win would take them to 38 points, which will not be enough to move them further up the table; however, it has still been a positive season for the Tanners, who will look to finish on a high before aiming to improve further next year.
Head To Head
The sides met in a friendly at Colston Avenue in January 2025. On that occasion, the Robins prevailed, winning 3–2 thanks to goals from Kanita Throp, Daisy Olley, and a trialist.
Team News
Against Oxted & District, manager Aaron Lamont introduced two young prospects from the bench – Hallie Dudley and Laney Garcia – who have impressed for the U16s this season. Both looked comfortable at senior level, with Dudley making a particularly strong impact by scoring twice in the 10–0 win. Both players were involved again last time out, as the Robins ran out 4–2 winners over Chessington & Hook.
Carshalton are known for giving opportunities to younger players, with the likes of Beth Yarrow and Taylor McCrea playing significant roles during the campaign.
Dudley and Garcia will hope they have done enough to earn further opportunities and continue to demonstrate a clear pathway from the youth setup to the first team.
Elsewhere, striker Heather Eade is facing surgery after suffering a serious knee injury against South Park in the Surrey Divisional Cup. Eade had been enjoying a stunning season up to that point, recording 16 goals and 12 assists in just 12 games. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the cost of her surgery and rehabilitation.
Pre-Match Analysis
With a two-week break between the final league game at Chessington & Hook and Sunday’s Surrey Divisional Cup Final against Milford & Witley at Meadowbank, manager Aaron Lamont was quick to arrange this friendly against Leatherhead, aiming to build momentum and maintain match fitness.
In the previous meeting between the sides, the Robins edged a tight contest 3–2, and another close game is expected.
Leatherhead also have one final league fixture remaining – an away trip to Montpelier Villa – and will be keen to carry momentum into that match and finish their season strongly with three points.
Tuesday will also be the final opportunity to watch a first-team match at Colston Avenue until July, when pre-season begins, so be sure to come along and show your support!
Match Details
Date: Tuesday 5th May 2026
Opposition: Leatherhead
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Colston Avenue, SM5 2PW
Kickoff: 7:45pm
Admission: FREE
