Carshalton Fall to Defeat Against Dorking
Carshalton Athletic saw their 100% league record come to an end with a narrow 1–0 defeat to Dorking Wanderers U23s at the Oakwood Sports Centre.
Manager Aaron Lamont handed a debut to recent signing Amelia Kimble, while goalkeeper Beth Yarrow started her first league game since the Manorcroft clash after serving a two-match suspension. Forward Dee Badley began on the bench as a precaution following a minor illness.
The match kicked off with Dorking creating the first opportunity. A cross into the box was met with a strong header, but Yarrow was well positioned to tip the effort wide. Carshalton responded in the 9th minute when Evie Nebitt played a long ball forward to Kimble, who found space but dragged her shot just wide of the post.
Dorking took the lead just two minutes later. The hosts attacked down the right and delivered a dangerous cross to the far post, where an unmarked forward headed home to make it 1–0. They had the ball in the net again shortly after, but the referee had already blown for a foul on a Carshalton defender.
The Robins struggled to settle early on and nearly conceded again in the 25th minute. Dorking broke down the right once more and found a player in a good position in the box, but the shot flew over the bar.
Sensing the need for a change, Lamont brought on Dee Badley, who had already scored four league goals this season. She made an instant impact, using her pace to get forward, but her shot went narrowly wide.
Dorking continued to threaten, forcing Yarrow into a smart save before another shot was blocked and deflected out for a corner.
As half-time approached, Carshalton pushed for an equaliser. Bell tried her luck from range, with Badley getting a touch to divert it goalward, but the ball rolled just wide. Moments later, Georgie Edwards delivered a dangerous cross into the box that found the head of Sargent, but her effort also missed the target.
Dorking came out strongly after the break and almost doubled their lead on 51 minutes, rattling the post with a fierce strike. Minutes later, they struck the woodwork again – this time the crossbar – with Yarrow beaten, but the ball fortunately bounced clear.
Carshalton turned to their bench, introducing Dulley, McCrea, Parnell, and Rodriguez to try to shift the momentum. While they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, clear-cut chances were hard to come by. Their best opportunity came from an inswinging corner on the left, which almost crept in but went out for a corner after a slight touch from the Wanderers’ goalkeeper.
Yarrow was called into action twice more late in the game – first saving a powerful shot straight at her, then using her feet to deny a Dorking forward who broke free down the right.
Despite throwing bodies forward in the closing stages, Carshalton were unable to break through, and Dorking held firm to claim all three points. The result sees the Wanderers leapfrog the Robins in the table, moving three points clear, although they’ve played one game more.
It’s back to the drawing board for Carshalton, who will look to bounce back in Sunday’s league clash against Manorcroft United at Colston Avenue.
Up Next
Date: Sunday 19th October 2025
Opponents: Manorcroft United Women
Competition: League
KO: 2:30pm
Venue: Colston Avenue
Admissions: FREE
