CAFC Women vs Sutton United – Match Report
Braces from Heather Eade and the unlikely hero Evie Nebbitt powered Carshalton Athletic to a statement 4–1 thrashing of higher-tier local rivals Sutton United in a friendly match on Sunday at Colston Avenue.
It was apparent in the early stages that the U’s were looking to punish Aaron Lamont’s high defensive line and go in behind. The visitors’ right winger was threaded through down the touchline inside two minutes, arrowing the ball across the face of goal for the onrushing yellow shirt at the far post to miscue wide. Following a left channel set piece that was well claimed by Georgina Solly, the Robins gradually grew in confidence to be the team in the ascendancy.
Moving the ball well, Carshalton were probing Lucy Clark’s side. Seven minutes into proceedings, the returning Kenza Gueriani laid off Edu Andrande to come onto the ball on the edge of the Sutton penalty area and send a curling strike inches wide of the bottom left-hand corner. After a brief pause so a U’s defender could receive some treatment, the Reds issued another warning sign when Maria Andrande whipped a delicious delivery into the box for Kanita Throp to half volley the wrong side of the top right-hand corner.
Approaching the 20-minute mark, Lamont’s ladies had yet to forge any more meaningful chances. The most notable, since Edu’s, had been an audacious Throp attempt from distance that sailed comfortably over the bar. Despite that, the majority of the action was in Sutton’s own half, Carshalton had forced the U’s deep and were testing their defensive resolve. Additionally, the Robins showed far more desire to win the ball back, with Lamont’s quintessential high press causing the turnover of possession in dangerous areas on several occasions. The match had developed into a cagey affair heading into the final third of the first 45. Except for an ambitious lofted effort from just inside Carshalton’s half that attempted to catch Solly high off line but instead saw the No. 1 gather with ease, neither keeper had been called into action for some time. There were a number of strong challenges flying in, and cynical fouls being committed.
The U’s took the lead in the 34th minute, but very much against the run of play. Abbey Measures was adjudged to have fouled the Sutton midfielder 25 yards out from Carshalton’s goal. The resulting set piece was whipped over the wall and dipped awkwardly just in front of Solly, who spilt it before the alert onrushing yellow shirt converted the follow-up close range. With five minutes until the break, Throp controlled in acres of space on the edge of the U’s penalty area, before she set herself, and lashed an effort that was parried away by the diving Sutton No. 1. Heather Eade came agonisingly close to the leveller on the follow-up; however, the forward was on the stretch and failed to turn it home.
Five minutes into the second half, and Carshalton were level thanks to Eade. The striker received the ball just outside the penalty area and saw her side-footed effort ricochet off the outstretched boot of the Sutton defender, over the keeper who was rooted to the spot, and into the back of the net.
Moments later, Lamont’s side almost had a second when Georgia Edwards’ long-range free kick brought about an excellent diving save from the U’s goalkeeper. As the hour mark beckoned, Clark’s outfit had survived a succession of threatening shots and crosses.
Midway through the half, the U’s central defensive midfielder conceded two quick fouls, gifting the Reds back-to-back free kicks—both of which, fortunately for the visitors, went to waste. However, Evie Nebbitt spared Throp and E. Andrade’s blushes just minutes later by pegging back the Step 5 side. Throp’s inswinging corners, which had tormented the U’s Reserves the previous week, were once again proving dangerous, this time against the Firsts. One such delivery in the 66th minute sparked chaos in the box, leading to a prolonged spell of pinball. Edwards saw her header cleared off the line, but Nebbitt reacted quickest, lashing home a half-volley from six yards to ignite celebrations in the stands.
Moments after a superb double save from the Sutton goalkeeper, first parrying Eade’s driven effort and then reacting quickly to block Throp’s follow-up, Nebbitt extended the Reds’ lead in spectacular fashion as the game entered its final third.
She controlled a throw-in on the left channel, then unleashed an audacious 30-yard lofted strike that sailed beyond the keeper’s outstretched hands and curled into the far corner.
Late on, Eade grabbed her second with a moment of sharp instinct and composure. Pouncing on a loose U’s throw-in down the right channel, she punished a lapse in concentration by forcing a turnover, then showed brilliant awareness to spot the keeper off her line, coolly lifting the ball over the stranded No. 1 and into the net, before wheeling away in celebration.
The 4–1 win marks a major statement from Lamont and his side. Clark’s Sutton team compete two tiers above the Reds in Step 5 of the Women’s Football Pyramid, making the result all the more impressive. With a crucial Surrey Premier Division decider against Farnham Town on the horizon, followed by a League Cup Final showdown at Meadowbank against Croydon FC, this emphatic performance will provide a significant boost in confidence. The hope now is that Carshalton can carry this momentum into the league clash with Town in a couple of weeks.
Up Next
Date: Sunday, 18 May, 2025 (Vs Farnham Town in our final Surrey Premier Division match)
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kickoff: 02:30 PM
Admission: Free Entry
