CAFC Women vs Richmond & Kew – Preview
Carshalton Athletic have a break from competitive action this weekend but will look to continue building momentum ahead of the title run-in with a friendly away to higher-tier side Richmond & Kew.
Carshalton Athletic – The Season So Far
Following a second-place finish last season and the first piece of silverware in the club’s history with victory in the Surrey Divisional Cup, Carshalton Athletic began their second season in women’s football with Aaron Lamont continuing as manager for the 2025/26 campaign.
Pre-season proved to be a mixed bag, with Carshalton winning five and losing three of their eight fixtures. However, three of those five victories came at the end of pre-season, with the Robins recording impressive wins of 6–1, 6–0 and 11–1 over Chessington & Hook, Tooting Bec and Tonbridge Angels respectively, heading into the new season in strong form.
There were high hopes for Carshalton’s debut in the FA Cup, but the Robins were beaten 3–1 by a strong South London FC side, exiting the competition at the first hurdle. Their league campaign, however, got off to an impressive start with a 9–0 victory away at Manorcroft United, despite being reduced to ten players following the dismissal of goalkeeper Beth Yarrow.
That result was followed by a dramatic 3–2 win over Dorking Wanderers U23s, with Kenza Gueriani netting a stoppage-time winner. Carshalton were then awarded three points after Epsom & Ewell withdrew from their scheduled league fixture due to a lack of players. The Robins continued their strong start by defeating Merstham 4–1, taking their tally to 12 points from four games.
Carshalton then put in a spirited performance in the Isthmian League Cup but ultimately fell to a 3–0 defeat against Sutton United, who compete in Tier 5, two divisions above the Robins. That was followed by their first league defeat of the season, losing a tight encounter 1–0 away to Dorking Wanderers U23s.
A response was needed, and Carshalton delivered with three consecutive league victories against Manorcroft United (16–2), Walton & Hersham (14–0) and Oxted & District (5–0).
The Robins began their defence of the Surrey Divisional Cup with an entertaining 4–3 victory over Sutton United Reserves to reach the quarter-finals. However, they exited the Capital Intermediate Cup at the first hurdle, losing 2–0 to a well-organised Tooting Bec side.
Carshalton’s 100% home league record came to an end with a narrow 5–4 defeat to Sutton United Reserves, but they responded positively in their final match before Christmas, securing a 2–0 win away at Croydon FC. The Robins started 2026 on the right foot with a 3–1 home win against Merstham and now sit three points clear at the top of the table with seven league games remaining, although Dorking Wanderers U23s and Sutton United Reserves both have games in hand.
Last weekend, the Robins continued their defence of the Surrey Divisional Cup with a 13–0 quarter-final win over South Park Reigate, setting up a tricky semi-final tie against Dorking Wanderers U23s.
Richmond & Kew
Richmond & Kew ply their trade in the London & South East Regional Women’s League Division 1 North, the sixth tier of women’s football and one division above the Robins. In 2024/25, they enjoyed a solid campaign, finishing sixth out of 12 teams and collecting 38 points from 22 games to comfortably secure their Tier 6 status for this season.
The 2025/26 campaign has been a challenging one so far, getting underway in August with defeats to Herne Bay (2–0) and Clapton Community (2–1). September began on a high note, progressing in the FA Cup with an 11–0 win over Epsom & Ewell, although Richmond exited in the next round after a 5–1 defeat at Maidstone. An entertaining 6–5 defeat away at AFC Greenwich Borough came between those two ties, before Richmond picked up their first league win of the season with a 3–0 home victory over Ashford United.
October started with three consecutive defeats, losing 4–0 away at Hammersmith before narrow losses to Actonians Reserves (4–3) and Dulwich Hamlet Reserves (2–1). Richmond responded in emphatic fashion with a 13–0 victory over Soccer Elite Football Academy. However, despite that result, five consecutive defeats have followed: a 5–0 loss to Camden Town, exits from both the LSEC and CIC to Dartford and Actonians Reserves respectively, and back-to-back 3–0 league defeats to Clapton Community and Ashford United.
Those results leave Richmond 11th out of 12 teams and currently occupying the final relegation spot. They sit three points from safety with a game in hand and will be looking to climb out of danger in the coming weeks. A friendly against Carshalton, who currently sit top of the division below, should provide a stern test.
Team News
In Sunday’s Surrey Divisional Cup victory over South Park Reigate, Carshalton had no fewer than nine different goalscorers in their 13–0 win. Sabania (3), McCrea (2), Davies (2), Eade, Gooding, Badley, Underhill, Dulley and Gueriani all found the net. That will please manager Aaron Lamont, who knows he is not relying on just one or two players for goals.
The goals for Gooding and Davies were their first for the club, and both will be pleased to get off the mark as they look to add to their tallies in the coming games.
With Sunday’s match being a friendly, Lamont may opt to rotate his side and could bring in some younger players for the clash with Richmond & Kew. Friendlies also provide an opportunity to try new ideas and could be the perfect chance for potential signings to impress, with key league fixtures against Chessington & Hook and Epsom & Ewell on the horizon.
Pre-Match Analysis
With league matches scheduled across the next five weekends, manager Aaron Lamont was keen to ensure his side did not lose momentum or match sharpness and arranged a friendly against Richmond & Kew, who were also without a fixture.
Following the 13–0 win over South Park in the Surrey Divisional Cup last weekend, Lamont posted on X: “Ladies were absolutely immense today, ruthless all around the pitch, particularly off the ball. Four senior players out, the youngsters stepping in and up. Pleasure to watch from the dugout.” That result made it three wins in a row, and Lamont will be hoping to see similar performances against Richmond & Kew and in the upcoming competitive fixtures as the title run-in intensifies.
Facing opposition from a higher division will provide a different test for the Robins. Richmond are an established side and, despite their current league position, will be eager to return to winning ways as they look to escape the relegation zone. Carshalton are targeting promotion this season, and a match against a Tier 6 side – the level they hope to reach next year – will offer a valuable indication of whether they are ready to make the step up.
Match Details
Date: Sunday 18th January 2026
Opposition: Richmond & Kew
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Richmond & Kew FC, TW10 7RU
Kickoff: 2pm
Admission: FREE
