Carshalton Win At Croydon -

Carshalton Win At Croydon

Carshalton Athletic moved three points clear at the top of the Surrey Premier Division after a hard-fought 2–0 win against Croydon FC.

Following last week’s 5–4 defeat to Sutton United Reserves, Aaron Lamont made one change to his starting XI, handing a debut to midfielder Nadia Sabania, with Kenza Gueriani dropping to the bench.

Carshalton started brightly. Just three minutes in, Amelia Kimble picked up the ball and fired a shot from outside the box.

It almost crept past the Croydon goalkeeper, but she managed to push it wide for a corner. Croydon’s keeper was called into action again on six minutes, making another strong save from a Heather Eade effort.

The Robins continued to control the opening stages and had another chance to take the lead on 18 minutes. New signing Sabania struck a powerful effort from distance, only to see it tipped behind for a corner. However, she would not be denied on the half-hour mark – drilling a fierce strike into the net from around 18 yards to give Carshalton a deserved lead.

Carshalton pushed for a second before the break. Sargent threaded a smart through ball to Dee Badley, who burst into the box, but strong Croydon defending forced her wide and the effort drifted off target. Moments before half-time, an Eade corner from the right found Ward unmarked at the back post, but the defender couldn’t convert, sending the ball out for a goal kick as the referee blew for the interval.

The Robins kept the pressure on after the restart. Sabania tried her luck once more from outside the box with a shot that bounced awkwardly, but the goalkeeper was able to save. She was involved again on 54 minutes, driving toward goal but firing over the bar.

Carshalton finally doubled their lead on 58 minutes. Bianca Underhill delivered a superb cross from the left, and Sabania rose to head home her second goal of the game.

The Robins continued to press forward. With her back to goal, Georgie Edwards laid the ball off to Xaidan Gooding, but the youngster lifted her strike over the crossbar.

Croydon struggled to create clear chances thanks to Carshalton’s solid defensive display, though they did break through on 72 minutes and looked likely to score – until Rebecca Sargent recovered brilliantly to make a crucial sliding challenge.

Carshalton had the ball in the net again on 78 minutes when Gooding played in Badley, who finished well, but the flag was already up for offside.

As the game entered its final moments, the Robins created two more chances: Badley sent a half-volley just over, and substitute Taylor McCrea headed narrowly wide after the ball bounced kindly for her. The referee brought the contest to a close shortly afterwards.

It was an important win for the Robins, who bounced back strongly after recent defeats. Croydon’s disciplined defending made it a tough afternoon, but Carshalton ultimately prevailed thanks to Sabania’s impressive debut brace.

With the rest of the division’s fixtures postponed due to the weather, the Robins took full advantage – moving three points clear of Sutton and six ahead of Dorking, though both sides still have three games in hand.

Carshalton’s next competitive match is scheduled for Sunday 4 January at home to Merstham in the league. However, with a tight title race unfolding and a Surrey Divisional Cup defence awaiting after Christmas, Aaron Lamont is likely to try to arrange some friendlies to help keep the squad match-fit.