Carshalton Win At Richmond & Kew
Carshalton Athletic produced an impressive performance on Sunday, running out 5–1 winners away at Richmond & Kew FC, a side who compete in the division above the Robins.
With no competitive fixture scheduled for the weekend, manager Aaron Lamont moved quickly to arrange a friendly against Richmond & Kew in order to maintain momentum following three consecutive victories. He made three changes to the side that beat South Park Reigate. Beth Yarrow returned between the sticks in place of Lauren Allen, Aisha Douglin made her first appearance for a number of weeks, and Maisie Ward – who played for Richmond & Kew last season – returned to the starting XI after beginning last week’s win on the bench.
The match got underway on a mild afternoon in West London, and the Robins almost made the perfect start, creating the first chance within the opening minute. Defender Lara Rodriguez launched the ball forward towards Honey Dulley. It bounced through to Kenza Gueriani, who had gambled well to get into position, and she fired a low shot at goal. However, the Richmond goalkeeper reacted well and pushed the effort away to safety.
Despite being absent for several weeks, Aisha Douglin showed no signs of rust on her return. From her right wing-back role, she got forward to deliver a dangerous ball into the box, finding Gueriani at the far post. Gueriani had a great opportunity to open the scoring, but her effort lacked power, allowing the goalkeeper to save comfortably.
Richmond & Kew then enjoyed a decent spell and created several chances of their own. On 13 minutes, a ball over the top found a Richmond forward, who shot from a tight angle but could only find the side netting. The hosts won a corner on 16 minutes, and a pinpoint delivery into the danger area was met by a free header that went just over the crossbar. Another corner followed on 20 minutes, with an inswinging delivery from the right that looked to be curling into the net, but Yarrow did brilliantly to tip it away.
The ball was recycled and sent back into the box, where a glancing header from the Richmond striker drifted wide.
Carshalton continued to put together some good passing moves of their own. On 25 minutes, Dulley and Badley linked up well with a clever one-two, allowing Badley to get into a good position to shoot. Her powerful low effort was well saved by the Richmond goalkeeper to keep the score level. However, the Robins would not be denied, and on 30 minutes they took the lead. A ball over the top was played into the path of Dee Badley, who reached it ahead of both the defender and the goalkeeper. Badley took the ball around the keeper but was left with a tight angle. She looked up, spotted Gueriani at the back post, and picked her out with a low delivery. After missing earlier chances, Gueriani made no mistake this time, firing home to give Carshalton a 1–0 lead.
At half-time, Aaron Lamont would have been the happier of the two managers. His side had performed well on a difficult pitch, mixing some neat passing football with longer balls into the forwards, while also remaining solid defensively.
Carshalton created the first chance of the second half on 49 minutes. Leanne Bell, introduced from the bench, looked to make an immediate impact by firing a shot from just outside the box, but her powerful effort flew over the crossbar. Shortly after, the Robins worked a well-rehearsed routine from a corner. Underhill cut the ball back to Edwards, who dummied it to create space for Parnell to strike first time from the edge of the area. The curled effort was dangerous but ultimately drifted wide.
The Robins were firmly on top in the second half and made their pressure count on 57 minutes, doubling their lead. A brilliant passing move began at the back, with Edwards picking out Underhill on the right. Underhill played a one-two with Badley, creating space to deliver a cross into the box. With McCrea and Dulley attacking the area, the ball reached Dulley, whose initial shot was saved before she reacted quickest to fire home the rebound and make it 2–0.
Arguably one of Carshalton’s goals of the season so far, the move showcased their ability to move the ball quickly from back to front and highlighted the work being done on the training ground to maintain an attractive style of play.
Carshalton remained in control and extended their lead further on 60 minutes. A through ball found Honey Dulley, who went one-on-one with the goalkeeper as she came out to narrow the angle. Dulley’s shot beat the keeper but required a close-range touch from Taylor McCrea to ensure it crossed the line, making it 3–0.
Beth Yarrow had little to do for much of the match, but she was called into action on 76 minutes. Richmond worked the ball well, creating space for a shot on the left-hand side of the box. Yarrow reacted sharply, getting down well to tip the effort around the post.
Carshalton nearly made in 4–0 on 82 minutes, but were denied by a brilliant save from Richmond’s goalkeeper. The ball fell to Honey Dulley inside the box, but her effort was saved well by the legs of the Richmond goalkeeper.
Richmond & Kew pulled a goal back on 86 minutes. A ball into the box found a forward unmarked at the back post, whose initial effort was pushed away by Yarrow. However, the rebound fell to another Richmond striker, who found the bottom corner despite Yarrow getting a touch on the ball.
With time running out, Dee Badley restored Carshalton’s three-goal advantage on 88 minutes. Played through on goal, she poked a shot towards the net. The Richmond goalkeeper got a hand to it, but not enough to prevent it from crossing the line, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Carshalton added a fifth. The Robins won a free kick just outside the box, and Badley stepped up to curl an effort towards the far corner. The Richmond keeper did brilliantly to tip the ball onto the crossbar, but it fell kindly to McCrea, who headed home to make it 5–1.
Carshalton had one final chance before the end, as Douglin surged forward from deep, beat several players, and played a one-two with McCrea. She found herself in a good position but fired wide, with the referee blowing for full time soon after.
Manager Aaron Lamont will have been delighted with his side’s performance, as they ran out convincing 5–1 winners against opposition from the division above. The result and display will give both Lamont and his players confidence that they can compete at a higher level.
With seven league games remaining, Carshalton know they must collect as many points as possible if they are to push for promotion and potentially be playing in this division next season.
Attention now turns to next weekend, when Carshalton face Chessington & Hook United at Colston Avenue in another important league fixture.
Up Next
Date: Sunday 25th January 2026
Opponents: Chessington & Hook United
Competition: League
KO: 2:30pm
Venue: Colston Avenue, SM5 2PW
Admissions: FREE
