CAFC Women vs Sutton United Firsts

CAFC Women vs Sutton United Firsts – Report

Carshalton Athletic had edged past Sutton United in a friendly back in April, but couldn’t replicate that result on Tuesday evening, falling to a 3–1 defeat at Colston Avenue and missing the chance to notch a trio of pre-season victories on the bounce.

The Robins started brightly, moving the ball with confidence and dominating possession in the early exchanges. Tier 5 side Sutton were forced deep into their own half as the Robins applied consistent pressure in search of an opener.

The first real chance of the match fell to the hosts. New signing Sarge picked out Chaps on the right flank, whose whipped cross deflected off Heather Eade and landed invitingly for Kanita Throp. Sliding in from a tight angle, Throp managed to connect, but her effort was comfortably gathered by the diving Sutton keeper.

At the other end, the U’s threatened on the break. A swift through ball sent a forward racing clear, but McNulty reacted sharply, rushing off her line to snuff out the danger.

Moments later, another Sutton attacker beat Rivens for pace down the right and squared the ball into a dangerous area. Thankfully for Carshalton, no Sutton player was there to apply the finishing touch into the empty net.

Chappers emerged as the Reds’ key attacking outlet for a brief period. A cleared corner fell kindly to the No. 10 on the edge of the box, but she blazed over on the half-volley.

Soon after, her relentless pressing nearly paid off as she forced a turnover just yards from goal, only to direct a tame shot at the near post that was claimed with relative ease.

Carshalton’s early dominance nearly unravelled when Sutton were gifted a golden chance. A low, driven cross into the box wasn’t dealt with by Evie Nebbitt, and the loose ball landed at the feet of an opposition forward. From close range, she fired a shot on target, but McNulty stood firm to parry the strike and spare her side’s blushes.

Midway through the half, much of the play took place in Sutton’s final third, yet it was the U’s who posed the greater threat on the counter. After weathering a dangerous delivery from the byline, Lucy Clark’s side launched a lofted ball over the top that sent their striker racing through on goal. One-on-one with McNulty, the Sutton forward looked certain to score, but the Carshalton keeper produced a superb diving save to push the ball clear.

Despite Sutton’s pressure, it was Carshalton who struck first in the 27th minute. Honey Dulley latched onto a precise through ball and, finding herself in acres of space, calmly slotted her shot into the far corner to give the hosts a deserved lead.

That said, the visitors hit back almost immediately. Sutton’s right winger drove forcefully into the box and, under pressure, coolly tucked her shot into the bottom right corner beyond the outstretched McNulty to level the score.

As the game moved into its final third, the intensity ramped up. The Robins continued to enjoy the lion’s share of possession, but Sutton remained a threat on the break, looking dangerous every time they forced a turnover. With five minutes remaining before the break, the game became a cagey contest. There was little to separate the sides, and despite the end-to-end nature of play, both teams struggled to carve out clear-cut chances, lacking the decisive final ball to unlock the opposition defence.

Two quickfire goals saw Sutton extend their advantage early in the second half. A slick passing move was capped off with a close-range finish that pulled Lamont’s side further behind, followed shortly by a powerful, drilled effort that crashed in off the post.

As Carshalton chased the game, the tempo lifted. Dulley forced a sharp save with a stinging drive, while Taylor’s relentless pressing looked to unsettle the Sutton goalkeeper. Ten minutes after the restart, Throp picked out Eade lingering just inside the box, but her side-footed effort was well blocked by a recovering defender.

By the hour mark, tensions began to rise, and frustration was evident both on and off the pitch. Carshalton had dominated possession but still had nothing to show for it.

Midway through the half, the game was in danger of slipping away from Carshalton. We had been on top for much of the period, pushing forward in search of a way back into the match, but our attacking intent left us exposed at the back, and a fourth Sutton goal would have surely put the game out of reach.

McNulty sparked a counter-attack with a quick rollout wide, and the ball was swiftly worked to Dulley on the right. Her cross was spilt and almost fell kindly for Taylor in the six-yard box.

We were beginning to find rhythm with some neat passing sequences; however, the U’s well-drilled defence continued to hold firm and frustrate our efforts.

In the 75th minute, as the game opened up once again, Taylor pulled the ball back to Throp. She controlled it well and unleashed a shot that ricocheted but failed to wrong-foot the keeper,

who reacted brilliantly to push it away. Moments later, Carshalton were pushing hard to halve the deficit, and Dulley led the charge. The young winger drifted into the penalty area from the left flank, paused, and got her shot away. However, the defenders recovered well to take the sting out of the effort, allowing the keeper to claim it with ease.

In the latter stages, Sutton were forced to withstand wave after wave of Carshalton attack. The visitors faced a series of frantic goalmouth scrambles, pinball-like deflections in the box, and multiple shots on target, but somehow held firm to preserve their 3–1 lead. At the other end, Carshalton were also forced into a crucial goal-line clearance, preventing what would have been a fourth for Sutton.

The ladies return to action this Sunday at the Easy As HGV Stadium, where they’ll face newly promoted Tier 5 side Fleet Town. They’ll be hoping to bounce back and return to winning ways.