Robins Bow Out Of FA Cup
Carshalton Athletic Women put in a battling performance but narrowly exited the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, falling to a 3–2 defeat at Hollands & Blair.
Player-manager Georgie Edwards named a strong starting XI for the game. The side was captained by Morgan Parnell, while last season’s top scorer Dee Badley started up front, with Edwards starting herself in defence.
It was a lively start to the game, with a good atmosphere inside the ground. The hosts were backed by a strong crowd, while Carshalton also brought a number of supporters to Kent to cheer the side on. It had all the feel of a classic FA Cup tie, with both sets of supporters making their voices heard.
Carshalton had the first opportunity of note on 13 minutes. Honey Dulley did well on the left-hand side before cutting inside onto her right foot. She looked to curl her effort into the far corner, but saw her shot drift just wide of the far post.
The hosts then had their first chance of the game on 16 minutes. Blair’s number 10 struck a powerful effort from outside the box, but Beth Yarrow was well positioned and was able to hold onto the shot.
Hollands & Blair had another opportunity on 22 minutes. Blair’s number 9 was played through on the right-hand side and let a shot off from a tight angle. The effort looked like it might sneak into the top corner, but Yarrow was able to push the ball away for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, Hollands & Blair took the lead. The hosts sent an inswinging delivery in from the right-hand side, which found an unmarked Blair player at the far post. She made good contact with her header, sending the ball home to make it 1–0.
The Robins were determined not to let their heads drop and looked for a way back into the game. Kaydence Kabadaki was looking lively on the right-hand side, using her pace and trickery to move the ball forward and get into good positions. She saw two half-chances go begging, firing over the crossbar with her first attempt before shooting wide with the second.
However, Kabadaki wasn’t to be denied a third time. The Robins moved the ball well on the right-hand side before it was played to Kabadaki. She rifled a powerful shot from just outside the box into the bottom corner to make it 1–1. The goal was her second competitive goal of the season, following her strike against Herne Bay last week.
Hollands & Blair nearly retook the lead soon after Carshalton’s equaliser. A mix-up at the back gave the hosts a chance to score into an open goal from outside the box, but the Blair player was unable to hit the target.
Blair were causing problems from set pieces and nearly went ahead again on 40 minutes. Another inswinging corner found a Blair player free in the box, but she couldn’t hit the target with her header.
However, Hollands & Blair did retake the lead on 44 minutes. The hosts were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. The effort was struck with power and beat Yarrow, giving Hollands & Blair a 2–1 advantage.
Carshalton looked to hit straight back when Georgie Edwards stepped up to take a free kick from distance. The effort was struck with power but went just over the crossbar.
Hollands & Blair then had a golden chance to make it 3–1 just before the break. The hosts played a ball across from the right-hand side, with the Blair forward in the penalty area striking her effort against the post. The ball remained in play, and another Blair player looked to fire home the rebound, but this time her effort crashed against the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.
The Robins went into the break behind and knew they had just 45 minutes remaining to keep their FA Cup hopes alive.
However, the hosts came out firing in the second half and scored their third within the first minute. A Blair player cut inside from the left-hand side onto her right foot before curling her effort into the top corner, making it 3–1 to the hosts.
The Robins were still looking to hit back, and Kabadaki played a ball in from the right-hand side to Remmi Gardner, but she couldn’t hit the target, firing her shot wide.
Hollands & Blair then had a chance to make it 4–1 when they were awarded a penalty. Shereece Duncan was adjudged to have brought down a Blair forward in the penalty area, and the referee was quick to point to the spot.
A Blair player stepped up to take the penalty and struck the ball to Yarrow’s left. Yarrow went the right way, but the effort wasn’t on target and narrowly went wide.
That missed penalty galvanised the Robins, who continued to search for a way back into the game. In the 68th minute, substitute Abi Igbavboa struck an effort which was saved by the legs of the Blair goalkeeper. Davies looked to volley home the rebound, but her effort was narrowly wide of the post.
Carshalton were putting together some nice passing moves as they continued to push forward. In the 78th minute, Edwards played a through ball over the top, finding Kabadaki. She delivered the ball into Hallie Dudley, but the youngster was unable to hit the target, firing over the bar.
However, the Robins did pull a goal back a minute later. The ball was played through to Igbavboa, who calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing Blair goalkeeper to make it 3–2 and set up a frantic finish.
The Robins pushed hard for an equaliser in the remaining minutes, throwing everything they could at the hosts as they searched for a way to force the game level. Carshalton continued to battle until the final whistle, but Hollands & Blair stood firm and ultimately held on to secure the win and book their place in the next round.
Following their victory, Hollands & Blair will now play Tonbridge Angels in the First Qualifying Round.
Up next for Carshalton, the Robins are back in league action on Sunday, with an away game against Hackney.
Up Next
Date: Sunday 30th August 2026
Opponents: Hackney
Competition: League
KO: 3:30pm
Venue: Match Day Centres, Wadham Lodge, Kitchener Road, E17 4LL
Admissions: Free Entry
