CAFC Women vs Maidstone – Preview
Following their emphatic 8-1 victory over Hackney, the Robins are on the road again on Sunday, making the trip to Kent to take on Maidstone United.
Carshalton Athletic
Carshalton Athletic Women enter their first-ever season at Tier 6 with a new manager, a new level of competition and a determination to establish themselves in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North.
The Robins have already experienced the demands of their new surroundings, with their opening league fixture ending in a 4-1 defeat away to Herne Bay. However, they responded in impressive fashion last time out, producing their best performance of the season so far to beat Hackney 8-1.
The result was an important response from Georgie Edwards’ side, who will be hoping the victory can provide a springboard for the remainder of the campaign.
Edwards took over as player-manager during the summer following the departure of Aaron Lamont, who left after two successful seasons to become assistant manager at Tier 5 Farnham Town, working alongside former AFC Wimbledon manager Kevin Foster.
The appointment of Edwards means Carshalton have a new leader at the helm as they begin life in Tier 6. The club captain is continuing to contribute on the pitch while also taking responsibility from the dugout, making her Carshalton’s first-ever player-manager.
The Robins used pre-season to prepare for the step up, playing four 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 to secure 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 3-2 defeat. Despite the result, the Robins showed plenty of fight and could take encouragement from their performance.
Last time out, however, they produced a much more convincing display. Carshalton travelled to Hackney and ran out emphatic 8-1 winners, with goals from Dee Badley (2), Remmi Gardner (2), Honey Dulley, Taylor McCrea, Kaydence Kabadaki and Shauna Doherty.
The result not only gave the Robins their first competitive victory of the season, but also provided a significant confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s trip to Maidstone.
The Season Ahead
Carshalton Athletic Women’s promotion has brought a new set of challenges in the London & South East Regional Women’s Football League Division One North, with the Robins now competing at Tier 6 for the first time in the club’s history.
The division contains a mixture of familiar opposition and new challenges. Maidstone United and Tooting Bec have also been promoted into the division, while 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.
The early weeks of the campaign have already provided an indication of the competitive nature of the division. Dulwich Hamlet Reserves currently lead the way with seven points from four games, although they have played more matches than many of the teams around them. Herne Bay, Camden Town and Maidstone United all sit on six points, with each side having won both of their opening league games.
Maidstone have particularly impressed, winning both of their league fixtures as well as their opening two FA Cup matches, and they already look to be among the early contenders at the top of the division.
For Carshalton, the opening weeks have been more difficult. The 4-1 defeat to Herne Bay offered an immediate indication of the demands of Tier 6, while the FA Cup exit at Hollands & Blair provided another tough test.
However, the Robins responded in the best possible way against Hackney, producing an 8-1 victory that could prove to be an important moment in their season.
The early part of the campaign will be about adapting to the increased level of competition while continuing the progress made since the side was formed in 2024.
Carshalton arrive at this level with plenty of confidence built from their rapid rise through the women’s football pyramid, but the challenge now is to translate that success to a higher level and establish themselves 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
Maidstone United
Maidstone United enjoyed a fantastic 2025/26 campaign in the Kent Premier League, finishing the season unbeaten and securing promotion to Tier 6.
The Stones won 16 and drew two of their 18 league matches, pipping Tonbridge Angels to the title by just two points. They also produced an impressive attacking and defensive record, scoring 64 goals while conceding just 10 across the campaign.
That form has continued into the 2026/27 season, with Maidstone making a perfect start to life at Tier 6.
The Stones have won both of their league games so far, opening their campaign with a 3-0 victory away at Actonians Reserves before following that up with an impressive 4-1 win over Dulwich Hamlet Reserves.
Their FA Cup campaign has been equally impressive. Maidstone saw off Hastings United 4-1 in the preliminary round before travelling to Croydon FC in the first qualifying round and recording a convincing 5-0 victory.
That means the Stones have won all four of their competitive fixtures so far, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two.
It is a fantastic start for a side that will be looking to build on last season’s promotion and potentially secure back-to-back promotions. Based on their opening results, Maidstone are already looking like one of the teams to beat in Division One North.
Team News
Despite making a slow start to the season, the Robins looked back to their best last time out, producing an emphatic 8-1 victory over Hackney.
There were six different goalscorers on the scoresheet, with Dee Badley and Remmi Gardner both scoring twice, while Honey Dulley, Taylor McCrea, Kaydence Kabadaki and Shauna Doherty also found the net.
The spread of goals will be particularly encouraging for Georgie Edwards. While every team needs players capable of consistently finding the net, Carshalton have shown that they are not reliant on one or two individuals to provide their attacking threat.
Having six different goalscorers in the same match demonstrates the variety available within the squad and gives Edwards plenty of options in the final third. The Robins will hope that attacking contribution can continue as they face some of the toughest opposition in the division.
With there being no traditional transfer window restricting additions during the season, Edwards will also continue to keep an eye out for potential reinforcements. As player-manager, she will be looking for players who can strengthen the squad, add competition for places and ultimately improve the team as Carshalton adjust to life at Tier 6.
The season is still in its early stages, meaning there is plenty of opportunity for the squad to develop, while Edwards will be able to assess where further additions could help the Robins compete at their new level.
Pre-Match Analysis
Sunday’s fixture represents a significant test for Carshalton Athletic, with the Robins facing one of the division’s early pace-setters in Maidstone United.
The Stones have made a perfect start to the 2026/27 campaign, winning both of their league fixtures as well as their two FA Cup matches. Their four victories have produced 16 goals, while they have conceded just twice, highlighting their strength at both ends of the pitch.
Maidstone’s league victories over Actonians Reserves and Dulwich Hamlet Reserves have put them among the early leaders in Division One North, while their FA Cup wins over Hastings United and Croydon FC demonstrate that their excellent start has not been limited to league competition.
Carshalton, by contrast, have endured a more difficult opening to the campaign. The Robins lost their first league match 4-1 to Herne Bay before being knocked out of the FA Cup by Hollands & Blair in a 3-2 defeat.
However, last weekend’s 8-1 victory over Hackney could be exactly the result Edwards’ side needed. The emphatic win provided Carshalton with their first competitive victory of the season and, perhaps more importantly, showed the attacking quality that the Robins possess.
Edwards will be hoping the result has kick-started Carshalton’s season. Another strong performance against one of the early favourites would provide further evidence that the Robins are beginning to adapt to the demands of Tier 6.
The fixture also gives Carshalton an excellent opportunity to experience one of the most impressive stadiums in non-league football. The Gallagher Stadium is regularly packed with crowds of more than 2,000 for Maidstone United’s men’s fixtures, and Sunday’s match will give the Robins the chance to play at a venue that is considerably larger and more imposing than many of the grounds they have visited previously.
Maidstone will go into the match as the form side, but Carshalton can take confidence from their performance against Hackney. If the Robins can carry that attacking momentum into Sunday’s fixture, they will hope to give the Stones a much tougher test and potentially cause an early-season upset.
With Maidstone looking to maintain their perfect record and Carshalton aiming to build on their first league victory, Sunday’s meeting promises to be another important test for the Robins as they continue their first season at Tier 6.
Match Details
Date: Sunday 13th September 2026
Opposition: Maidstone United
Competition: League
Venue: The Gallagher Stadium, ME14 1LQ
Kickoff: 3:15pm
Admission: Adults £5, Concession £3, U16s FREE
Tickets: Purchase at turnstiles
