Carshalton Impress At South Park
Carshalton Athletic produced an impressive performance on Sunday afternoon as they continued their Surrey Divisional Cup defence with a comfortable away victory against South Park Reigate.
Following last weekend’s 3–1 win over Merstham, manager Aaron Lamont made three changes to his starting XI. Rebecca Sargent and Demi Allen missed out, while Maisie Ward dropped to the bench. Bianca Underhill and Lara Rodriguez both returned after missing last week’s fixture, and Honey Dulley was rewarded with a start after scoring a stunning goal from the bench against Merstham.
The match kicked off on a cold, windy and rainy afternoon in Reigate. With the Surrey Divisional Cup an important competition for the Robins, they wasted no time in pushing forward in search of an opening goal. Inside two minutes, a long ball from goalkeeper Lauren Allen sent Honey Dulley clear,
and she struck a powerful effort from outside the box. The South Park keeper was off her line and appeared beaten, but the ball crashed against the crossbar and went out for a goal kick. Moments later, Heather Eade thought she had opened the scoring after slotting home from Gueriani’s delivery from the right, but the flag was already raised for offside.
In the 8th minute, Carshalton did take the lead. A through ball found Sabania, who timed her run perfectly to beat the offside trap. With acres of space as she entered the box, she calmly slotted the ball home.
Barely a minute later, the lead was doubled. Bianca Underhill slipped a perfectly weighted pass through to Eade, who smashed the ball past the South Park goalkeeper to make it 2–0. However,
soon after, Eade was forced off with a serious injury and was replaced by Davies.
Following the stoppage, Carshalton picked up where they left off, making it 3–0 in the 14th minute. Underhill again turned provider, whipping in a perfect corner from the left-hand side, which was met by Sabania, who rose highest to power a header home for her second goal of the game. Honey Dulley went close to adding a fourth on 20 minutes when a clever through ball from Gooding put her in a great position, but she dragged her effort just wide of the far post. The Robins struck again on 28 minutes to make it 4–0. Dee Badley caused problems down the right and played a low ball into the box, which was met by Gueriani.
Her touch diverted the ball goalwards, and it crept in at the far post.
Carshalton’s fifth goal arrived on 34 minutes. Gueriani delivered another ball into the box from the right, which was deflected into the path of Underhill off a South Park defender. Underhill struck it sweetly, curling the ball into the far corner off the post.
Lauren Allen had a quiet afternoon in the Carshalton goal, but remained a vocal presence, encouraging her teammates throughout. She was called into action late in the first half after the referee played advantage for a foul just outside the box. A South Park forward got a shot away, but Allen was well positioned to make a comfortable save. Davies went in search of her first goal in Carshalton colours and had a good opportunity, but her effort was well saved by the South Park goalkeeper. Just before half-time, Ward and Gueriani linked up nicely with a neat one-two, and Ward tried her luck from distance, only to see her powerful effort drift just wide of the post.
Carshalton went into the interval with a commanding 5–0 lead. Despite already having one foot in the semi-finals, the Robins showed no signs of taking their foot off the gas. Six minutes after the restart, they made it 6–0. Underhill was involved once again, delivering a cross from the left that found Davies, who took a touch and finished confidently to open her Carshalton account.
Just two minutes later, Carshalton scored again from a well-worked training-ground corner. Gueriani’s cross to the edge of the box was dummied by Underhill, allowing Parnell a chance to shoot. The ball bounced kindly to Xaidan Gooding, who turned it home. Underhill claimed yet another assist on 55 minutes, crossing from the left for McCrea, who was perfectly placed to finish calmly.
Despite the scoreline, the South Park goalkeeper made several key saves, denying powerful efforts from both Dee Badley and Georgie Edwards. Davies nearly added another after winning the ball back high up the pitch, but the keeper again produced an impressive save. The rebound fell to McCrea, who was unable to convert. On 73 minutes, Underhill delivered another dangerous ball into the box, which fell kindly to McCrea. She laid it off to Badley, who fired home for her first goal of the game.
The Robins showed no signs of easing off. A corner from the left on 80 minutes caused chaos in the South Park box, with McCrea getting a slight touch and the ball trickling into the far corner. Dee Badley thought she had her second goal when she slotted past the South Park keeper, but a tight offside decision ruled it out. She was not fazed, and moments later turned provider, cutting the ball back from the byline for Davies to smash into the roof of the net for her second of the game.
There was still time for more late on. Edwards, who had a relatively quiet afternoon at the back, delivered a pinpoint free kick into the danger area, and Sabania rose highest to score her second header of the game,
completing her hat-trick. With the final chance of the match, Honey Dulley finally got her reward, latching onto a through ball before firing the ball in off the post.
The full-time whistle confirmed a comfortable afternoon for the Robins, who progressed to the Surrey Divisional Cup semi-finals for the second season in a row. Despite the heavy scoreline, South Park enjoyed positive spells and looked to play progressive, passing football, building from the back rather than launching the ball forward. As a Division One side, they did well to reach the quarter-final stage and can exit the competition with their heads held high as they return to league action in the coming weeks.
The semi-final draw has now been made, and Carshalton have been handed a tough test. Dorking Wanderers U23s will make the trip to Colston Avenue, with the tie provisionally scheduled for 1st March.
Carshalton now have a week off from competitive action, but have a friendly on Sunday, making the trip to take on Richmond & Kew, before returning to Colston Avenue on Sunday 25th January, when they take on Chessington & Hook in a crucial league fixture.
Up Next
Date: Sunday 18th January 2026
Opponents: Richmond & Kew
Competition: Friendly
KO: 2pm
Venue: Richmond & Kew FC, TW10 7RU
Admissions: FREE
