Robins Draw At Bognor
Carshalton Athletic played out an entertaining 2–2 draw with higher-tier side Bognor Regis Town in Sussex on Sunday afternoon.
With no competitive fixture scheduled for the weekend, manager Aaron Lamont was quick to arrange a friendly, securing a match against sixth-tier side Bognor Regis Town, who currently sit top of the London and South East Regional League Division One South. Lamont made four changes to the side that beat Dorking Wanderers U23s in the Surrey Divisional Cup last time out. Demi Allen and Taylor McCrea returned to the starting XI, while new signings Remmi Gardner and Alex White were both handed their first starts.
The game got underway on Bognor’s new 3G pitch at Nyewood Lane, and it was Carshalton who had the first chance. Georgie Edwards played a long ball over the top that was latched onto by Dee Badley; however, the Robins forward couldn’t find the target, dragging her shot just wide.
Badley didn’t have to wait long to make amends, opening the scoring in the 8th minute. She reacted quickly to a loose backpass from a Bognor defender, picked up the ball, rounded goalkeeper Sophie Campbell, and shot from a tight angle. The ball trickled towards goal, and although a defender got a touch in an attempt to clear it off the line, it wasn’t enough to prevent Carshalton taking an early 1–0 lead.
Bognor had their first chance in the 16th minute, with Millie Carter striking from just outside the box, but her effort flew just over the crossbar.
Carshalton doubled their lead two minutes later. The Robins won a corner on the right-hand side, which Kenza Gueriani curled into the box. The ball dropped kindly to Taylor McCrea, who headed home to make it 2–0.
It was a fantastic start for the Robins against their higher-division opponents. Morgan Parnell looked to add a third, but her low effort from just outside the box went narrowly wide of the post.
Bognor began to grow into the game and looked comfortable shooting from distance. Kate Delilis and Millie Carter both tried their luck from outside the box, but Beth Yarrow was equal to both efforts, holding onto each strike.
The referee blew for half-time, and Aaron Lamont would have been pleased with his side’s performance – clinical in front of goal and solid defensively, limiting Bognor to long-range efforts.
Bognor started the second half quickly in search of an equaliser. Kaye Delilis played a ball into Sophie Humphrey, but her effort was comfortably held by Yarrow. Sophia Poling then tried her luck from a free kick outside the box, but again Yarrow gathered well.
Carshalton had two strong chances to extend their lead. McCrea did well to win the ball and get a shot away, but Campbell held the effort. Soon after, Badley was played through by a clever pass from Honey Dulley. Bearing down on goal, she looked certain to score, but Campbell produced an excellent save to deny her.
Those missed chances proved costly, as Bognor reduced the deficit in the 69th minute. Carter struck another effort from distance, and this time it sailed over Yarrow and into the back of the net to make it 2–1.
Bognor continued to apply pressure and nearly equalised moments later, but Carter’s low effort drifted wide. She went close again in the 73rd minute, rattling the post before the ball was cleared.
The hosts made their pressure count in the 77th minute. They won a free kick around 25 yards from goal, which Carter stepped up to take. Her strike dipped over the wall and into the bottom corner, levelling the score at 2–2.
Bognor were now in the ascendancy, while Carshalton were forced onto the back foot. With only one substitute named, the Robins were reduced to 10 players at times late in the second half due to injuries and had to weather sustained pressure. Delilis and Nicole Robinson both had chances to win it, but Yarrow made important saves to keep the scores level.
Poling also had a late free kick, but curled her effort just over the crossbar.
With time running out, Carshalton had one final opportunity. The ball was played through to Badley, who drove towards goal and struck a low effort, but Campbell produced another fine save to preserve the draw.
The referee brought the game to a close with the score at 2–2. Aaron Lamont will have been pleased with his side’s performance against higher-tier opposition, with players gaining valuable minutes ahead of the title run-in.
Attention now turns to Sunday, when the Robins make the short trip to face title rivals Sutton United Reserves in a must-win league fixture.
Up Next
Date: Sunday 29th March 2026
Opponents: Sutton United Reserves
Competition: League
KO: 1pm
Venue: David Weir Leisure Centre, Middleton Road, Carshalton, SM5 1SL
Admissions: FREE
