Clinical Carshalton Beat Manorcroft
Carshalton got their league campaign off to the perfect start with a 9–0 win away at Manorcroft United – an even more impressive feat considering they played the majority of the match with 10 players after goalkeeper Beth Yarrow was sent off early in the first half.
Following last weekend’s FA Cup defeat, manager Aaron Lamont was looking for an immediate response from his side. He made two changes to the starting lineup from the South London match, bringing in Demi Allen and Kenza Gueriani, with Sarah Chapman and Morgan Parnell dropping to the bench.
On a rainy afternoon, Carshalton edged the opening stages, though neither side had created a clear-cut chance early on. Manorcroft, who came into the match off the back of a 100% record in their division last season, also started brightly and found themselves in some promising positions.
The match came to life in the 17th minute when the hosts were awarded a penalty. The referee judged that Gueriani had committed a foul in the box. Confusion followed as goalkeeper Beth Yarrow was controversially shown a straight red card, seemingly for dissent. Carshalton were down to 10. With no recognised goalkeeper on the bench, captain Georgie Edwards took on the gloves. Her first task? Facing the resulting penalty. The Manorcroft forward struck down the middle, but Edwards guessed correctly and saved brilliantly with her feet.
Despite being a player down, Carshalton didn’t look outnumbered and continued to push forward. Sargent forced a save from distance, and on 35 minutes, Underhill made a strong run down the left, cut inside, and fired a shot on target, which the Manorcroft keeper did well to stop.
At half-time, the match was still level, but the Robins came out for the second half with renewed determination. Manorcroft had a good chance from a corner early on, but Edwards was equal to it.
In the 49th minute, Carshalton broke the deadlock. A cross from the left was met by Becky Sargent,
who finished clinically to give her side the lead.
Soon after, Heather Eade drove into the box and was brought down before she could shoot. She stepped up to take the penalty herself, smashing it past the keeper to double the lead.
Carshalton were in full control now and made it 3–0 in the 62nd minute. Dee Badley delivered a ball into the box, which fell kindly to Eade, who tucked it away for her second of the game.
Moments later, Eade had a chance to complete her hat-trick, but her shot was saved. However, Badley reacted quickest to the rebound and slotted it home to make it 4–0.
With the match firmly in their grasp, Lamont introduced fresh legs – Rodriguez, Chapman, McCrea, and Parnell all came on. Chapman made an immediate impact, scoring Carshalton’s fifth with a clever piece of skill to beat her defender before curling a shot into the far corner.
Manorcroft, who had worked hard in the first half, began to tire, and Carshalton took full advantage. Sargent had an effort saved, but Taylor McCrea was on hand to tap in the rebound for the sixth.
McCrea added her second – and Carshalton’s seventh – soon after.
Leanne Bell made it 8–0 on 85 minutes with a brilliant strike, before McCrea completed her hat-trick in the closing moments. Chapman whipped in a cross, McCrea rose highest to head goalwards, and though the keeper made the initial save, the young forward reacted quickly to slot home the rebound.
As the final whistle blew, Carshalton could be proud of a clinical performance – especially given the early setback. They’ll look to carry that momentum into next week’s home league match at Colston Avenue, where Dorking Wanderers U23 will be the visitors.
Up Next
Date: Sunday, 21st September 2025
Opponents: Dorking Wanderers U23 Women
Competition: League
KO: 2:30pm
Venue: Colston Avenue
Admissions: FREE
