CAFC Women vs Epsom & Ewell

CAFC Women vs Epsom & Ewell – Report

Carshalton Athletic Women dominated Epsom & Ewell 5-1 in the Surrey Premier Division on Sunday, with Heather Eade netting a brace in an impressive team performance.

The Robins got off to a blistering start, with Abbey Measures giving them the lead inside two minutes. A set-piece from the right flank caused chaos in the Epsom & Ewell penalty area, and Measures pounced, bundling the ball into the keeper’s bottom left corner.

After withstanding some early pressure from the Rocks, Carshalton countered quickly. Sarah Chapman raced clear on goal but could not convert, firing straight at the goalkeeper. However, the Robins doubled their advantage in the eighth minute when Eade, in fine form, powered home a front-post header from an inswinging corner by Anna Tilley.

By the 15-minute mark, Epsom had enjoyed more possession, but Carshalton’s counter-attacks continued to pose a threat. Captain Georgie Edwards played a sublime ball through to Eade, who struck it well but saw her shot saved by the keeper. Moments later, the Robins won a free-kick 35 yards out, but Eade’s header went wide after a great delivery. Honey Dulley then found herself in a promising position in the 20th minute, but her tame shot from a tight angle was comfortably saved. A few minutes later, Chapman was sent down the line unchallenged, but Dulley’s attempt to score from the pass was gathered by the keeper.

As the half-hour mark approached, Carshalton extended their lead. Eade turned provider, releasing Dulley down the left flank, and the winger calmly slid the ball under the keeper to make it 3-0.

The Robins continued to threaten as Chapman was denied by the keeper’s leg from close range, and Eade’s first-time whipped effort skimmed just wide. As the half drew to a close, Epsom had a free-kick, but Solly collected it comfortably—only their second shot on target.

The second half began with Epsom applying pressure, but Carshalton defended well. Five minutes in, the Robins broke on the counter, and after a cleared corner, Rylie blasted high over the bar. Epsom appealed for a penalty when an attacker went down in the box, but the referee waved it away. The Rocks’ best chance up to this stage came around the hour mark, forcing Solly into a brilliant diving save to deny a close-range effort.

Carshalton’s dominance continued, and midway through the second half, superb combination play from Tilley and Eade led to the latter being one-on-one, before pouncing on a rebound to score her second goal.

Epsom issued an immediate reply, pulling one back with a stunning 30-yard strike that flew into the roof of the net beyond Solly at full stretch. In the 70th minute, Eade showed her pace, chasing a long ball only to fire over the bar. With just under 20 minutes left, Chapman got on the end of an outswinging corner, controlled, and forced a diving save from the keeper. Eade then had a dipping half-volley tipped around the post.

As the game neared its conclusion, Measures delivered a perfectly weighted ball for Eade, who volleyed wide, squandering a golden chance for a hat-trick. With just seven minutes left, Chapman produced a moment of magic, rolling back the years to race onto a lofted pass and power it into the net. She celebrated the goal with an emotional embrace with her son in the technical area.

The win keeps Carshalton in second place on 28 points, just one point behind league leaders Dorking Wanderers Development, who we boast a game in hand over. With a two-week break before their next fixture against Croydon, the Robins will look to build on their momentum and continue their free-scoring form.