Robins Lose To Leatherhead
Carshalton Athletic were beaten 4–1 by higher-tier side Leatherhead in a friendly at Colston Avenue on Tuesday evening.
Manager Aaron Lamont made three changes to the side that beat Chessington & Hook United last time out. Maisie Ward and Xaidan Gooding returned to the starting line-up, and there was also a start for a trialist. Bianca Underhill missed out, while Dee Badley and Suzanne Davies dropped to the bench.
The game got underway on a mild evening at Colston Avenue. The Robins carved out the first opportunity after just three minutes, when Taylor McCrea did well to win the ball back high up the pitch and raced towards goal. The young forward poked an effort at goal but was denied by the feet of the Leatherhead goalkeeper.
Seven minutes in, the visitors took the lead. A ball from the left-hand side wasn’t dealt with and bounced cruelly into the back of the net, making it 1–0 to Leatherhead.
Leatherhead doubled their advantage in the 15th minute. A delivery from the right was met by a forward, who turned the ball home to make it 2–0.
It was a slow start for the Robins, and the Tanners continued to take advantage. On 22 minutes, a through ball split the lines, allowing a Leatherhead forward to race onto it and slot into the bottom corner first time for 3–0.
Carshalton remained on the back foot against their higher-tier opponents and nearly conceded a fourth on 24 minutes. The visitors won the ball back high up the pitch and cut it back for a shot, but Maisie Ward recovered well to make an important block. On 31 minutes, Beth Yarrow was called into action, pushing away a powerful strike – although the flag had already been raised for offside.
The Robins then began to find some rhythm and put together a good passing move on 34 minutes. Honey Dulley skipped past a defender before laying the ball back to Dee Badley. Carshalton’s top scorer looked for goal but saw her effort deflect behind for a corner.
From the resulting set piece, the ball was delivered to the edge of the area and met by Leanne Bell, whose effort flew over the crossbar.
Carshalton went into the break 3–0 down, with sixth-tier Leatherhead providing a much sterner test than they have been accustomed to this season. The visitors moved the ball well and were clinical in front of goal, leaving Aaron Lamont’s side with a mountain to climb.
The second half got underway with the Robins showing greater intent. On 50 minutes, Leanne Bell – known for scoring from distance – tested the goalkeeper with a dipping effort from just outside the box, which was tipped away for a corner.
Shortly after, Dee Badley spotted the goalkeeper off her line and attempted an ambitious effort, but her shot drifted just over.
Carshalton made their pressure count on 56 minutes, reducing the deficit. Leatherhead’s goalkeeper was closed down by Leanne Bell while in possession. As she attempted to clear, Bell blocked the kick, and the ball deflected into the net to make it 3–1.
The goal gave the Robins some momentum, but they were dealt a sucker punch on 62 minutes as the visitors restored their three-goal lead. A dipping strike from outside the box caught out Beth Yarrow and, despite getting a touch, the ball found the net to make it 4–1 and effectively seal the game. Four minutes later, Yarrow was called into action again, saving with her feet to deny a Leatherhead forward aiming for the far corner.
On 75 minutes, Carshalton came close to reducing the deficit. Dee Badley’s cross to the far post found Hallie Dudley, who bore down on goal but fired her low effort wide.
Leatherhead nearly made it 5–1 on 80 minutes. A powerful strike was tipped onto the crossbar by Yarrow, and although the rebound was turned in, the linesman’s flag was up for offside.
Badley then had two chances late on to add a second for the Robins. She first outmuscled her defender on the left to get through on goal, but her shot was saved at the near post. Then, on 88 minutes, the ball fell to her from a corner in space inside the penalty area, but she fired wide.
The referee brought the game to a close with Leatherhead running out 4–1 winners, consigning the Robins to their first defeat since 30th November 2025.
Attention now turns to the Surrey Divisional Cup final on Sunday 10th May, where the Robins will face Milford & Witley at Meadowbank as they look to defend the title they won last year.
Up Next
Date: Sunday 10th May 2026
Opponents: Milford & Witley FC
Competition: Surrey Divisional Cup Final
KO: 3:30pm
Venue: Meadowbank Football Ground, Mill Lane, Dorking, RH4 1DX
Admissions: Adults £6, Over 65s £3, Age 6 – 16 £3 – Buy Tickets Here
