Robins Beat Bromley Development -

Robins Beat Bromley Development

Carshalton Athletic Women continued their preparations for the new season with a 3–2 win over Bromley Development at Colston Avenue.

New manager Georgie Edwards named a mixture of retained players, new signings, trialists and academy players. Recently announced captain Morgan Parnell led the side, while Demi Allen, Taylor McCrea and last season’s top scorer, Dee Badley, were also named in the starting line-up.

The game got underway on a warm afternoon at Colston Avenue, and the Robins started quickly. Within the opening two minutes, Carshalton won a corner on the right-hand side. Dee Badley stepped up to take it, and her inswinging delivery was a good one. Abbie Measures met the cross, but her volley was blocked by a Bromley defender.

The Robins took the lead in the sixth minute. A ball into the penalty area wasn’t dealt with, and Suzanne Davies was quickest to react, winning possession back before poking the ball home to give her side a 1–0 lead.

Carshalton were playing well and created several good opportunities to extend their advantage. In the 12th minute, Abz Iggy made a good run before firing an effort at goal, but her strike drifted narrowly wide. The Robins then won a free-kick in a dangerous area. Abbie Measures stepped up to take it, but she couldn’t hit the target as her effort went wide.

Carshalton thought they had doubled their lead after 19 minutes. Badley played a neat through ball to Iggy, who curled her finish into the corner. However, the assistant referee’s flag was already up for offside, and the goal was ruled out.

The Robins did eventually double their lead in the 38th minute. Abz Iggy raced into the box, rounded the Bromley goalkeeper and had the simple task of finishing into an empty net to make it 2–0.

Iggy nearly added her second goal shortly afterwards. McCrea played a clever through ball into her path, but her effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Iggy then looked to convert the rebound, but her follow-up was blocked by a Bromley defender.

The Robins scored a third goal just before the break. Dee Badley picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and rifled a powerful effort at goal. The strike beat the Bromley goalkeeper and found the back of the net to make it 3–0, with the referee bringing the first half to a close shortly afterwards.

Carshalton were firmly in control during the first half and looked to build on an impressive opening 45 minutes. On 51 minutes, Badley played a ball into Taylor McCrea, whose strike went just wide of the post.

Bromley improved after the break and pulled a goal back in the 57th minute. Zoe Cozma struck a dipping low effort that beat stand-in goalkeeper Hallie Dudley and flew into the back of the net to make it 3–1.

The visitors struck again four minutes later. The ball fell to Emily Woodhouse, who hit a venomous volley from just outside the area that flew into the back of the net to make it 3–2 and set up a nervy finish.

With time running out, the Robins thought they had scored a fourth when Suzanne Davies played a brilliant ball through to Abbie Measures, who fired home. However, the assistant referee’s flag was already up, and the goal was ruled out.

With three minutes remaining, Bromley nearly snatched a late equaliser. Syria Campbell raced into the penalty area and struck a low effort that looked destined for the bottom corner. However, Dudley did brilliantly to get down and tip the ball away before the Robins cleared the danger.

With seconds remaining, Carshalton nearly put the contest beyond doubt. An inswinging free-kick from the right-hand side looked to be heading into the top corner, but a Bromley defender was well positioned to head the ball off the line.

The referee blew the final whistle with the Robins running out 3–2 winners. Manager Georgie Edwards will have been pleased with her side’s performance, as Carshalton scored three well-worked goals and continued to build valuable minutes into the squad ahead of the new campaign. With several players still to return, the Robins know there is more to come as they continue their preparations, with two weeks remaining before they begin their league campaign on Sunday 16th August away at Herne Bay.