CAFC Women vs Sutton United Reserves – Preview
Following Sunday’s 2–2 draw at Bognor Regis Town, the Robins return to league action this weekend, making the short trip to face Sutton United Reserves in a must-win game.
Carshalton Athletic
Since a 5–4 defeat to local rivals Sutton United Reserves in November, the Robins have been in outstanding form across all competitions, winning seven and drawing one of their last eight matches.
They responded to that setback by winning their final match before Christmas, securing a 2–0 victory away at Croydon FC courtesy of a debut brace from Nadia Sabania.
The Robins began 2026 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 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 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.
Last weekend, Carshalton made the trip 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. Carshalton led at the break, but Bognor roared back in the second half, with Millie Carter’s brace setting up a frantic finish. No further goals were scored, and both sides settled for a 2–2 draw.
Sunday sees the Robins return to league action with a short trip to face fellow title challengers Sutton United Reserves – a game both sides must win if they are to keep pace with current leaders Dorking in the title race.
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. An average of 2.5 points per game would typically be enough to win a league, yet that may not be the case this season either.
This time, three teams are firmly in contention as the campaign approaches its decisive stages. With Carshalton not in league action last weekend, all eyes were on Dorking’s top-of-the-table clash with Sutton. It was Dorking who took a massive step towards the title, running out 2–1 winners thanks to a 90th-minute goal from Holly Crane.
That result leaves Dorking top with 39 points from 14 games and a goal difference of +49. Sutton United Reserves sit four points behind on 35 points, with a goal difference of +47. Carshalton are third on 33 points, having recorded 11 wins and two defeats, with a superior goal difference of +59, and have a game in hand on both Sutton and Dorking.
Dorking are now the only side with the title in their own hands and can secure it by picking up 10 points from their final four games. However, they still have to play Sutton away, as well as travel to Walton & Hersham and Merstham, so the Wanderers will need to hold their nerve with Sutton and Carshalton close behind.
This weekend, while Carshalton face Sutton, Dorking travel to the Xcel Sports Hub to take on Walton & Hersham.
Sutton United Reserves
Sutton United Reserves finished fifth last season, consolidating their place in the Surrey Premier Division with six wins, three draws, and seven defeats.
This campaign, however, they have looked revitalised, picking up league doubles against Merstham, Epsom & Ewell, and Manocroft United, as well as wins over Croydon FC (3–1), Oxted & District (8–1), Walton & Hersham (6–2), and Chessington & Hook (5–2).
They also impressed at Colston Avenue back in November, running out 5–4 winners against the Robins.
However, there have been bumps in the road, with the U’s dropping points in trips to Oxted & District (1–1), Croydon (1–1), and Dorking Wanderers (2–1), as well as losing an entertaining Surrey Divisional Cup tie to Carshalton 4–3 at Colston Avenue.
Eleven wins, two draws, and one defeat in 14 league games represents a significant improvement on last season. Sutton still have a chance of winning the league but currently sit four points off the pace, with a tough run-in that includes matches against both Dorking and Carshalton.
Head To Head
Last season, the Robins completed the league double over the U’s.
At Colston Avenue, Carshalton claimed a 3–0 win thanks to goals from Sarah Chapman, Heather Eade, and Georgie Edwards. In the reverse fixture at Collingwood Recreation Ground, Eade scored again alongside Abbie Measures and Daisy Olley, as Carshalton repeated the 3–0 scoreline – helping secure a second-place finish in their debut season.
The sides met this season in the last 16 of the Surrey Divisional Cup. In front of a strong crowd of 136 at Colston Avenue, the Robins took an early lead through Dee Badley. Hanna Hevesy equalised for Sutton soon after, but Badley restored Carshalton’s advantage before the break. Substitute Bianca Underhill made it 3–1 in the second half before Ciccardini pulled one back for Sutton. Badley completed her hat-trick to make it 4–2, but Dunne struck again for the visitors to set up a tense finale. Carshalton held firm to seal their place in the quarter-finals.
However, Sutton got their revenge in the league a few weeks later. In an end-to-end game at Colston Avenue, despite goals from Heather Eade (2), Dee Badley, and Rebecca Sargent, the Robins conceded five, with a hat-trick from Tess Ciccardini and goals from Ines James and Ella Khaldoun sealing a 5–4 victory.
Team News
New signings Abigail Claringbold and Remmi Gardner were joined by another new face, Alex White, in the squad for the Bognor game last weekend. All three performed well in the 2–2 draw as they continue to integrate into the Carshalton squad.
With some important games still to come and the possibility of a league and cup double still alive, Lamont will feel the need to maintain strength in depth within his squad.
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
Sunday’s match sees two local rivals face off, and it is a must-win game for both sides if they want to lift the title at the end of the season. A draw would do neither side any favours, as that outcome would hand even more of the initiative to Dorking Wanderers – especially if they beat Walton & Hersham.
After a 4–3 win and a 5–4 defeat earlier in the season, Carshalton fans can expect another exciting encounter, particularly with both sides likely to go all out for victory.
With last weekend’s trip to Bognor Regis Town being their longest away journey of the season, this weekend’s trip is the shortest, with the clubs separated by just two miles.
Match Details
Date: Sunday 29th March 2026
Opposition: Sutton United Reserves
Competition: League
Venue: David Weir Leisure Centre, Middleton Road, Carshalton, SM5 1SL
Kickoff: 1pm
Admission: FREE
