CAFC Women vs Sutton United Reserves – Preview
Carshalton Athletic
Carshalton overcame Croydon FC 3-1 at the weekend to ensure our inclusion in the hat for the next round of the Capital Intermediate Cup. The Robins have been in scintillating form since falling to a 2-0 defeat to league toppers Farnham. Aaron Lamont’s side secured back-to-back 5-0 victories over Leatherhead Youth and Epsom & Ewell respectively before a 4-1 win against Beecholme Belles followed. Last weekend’s victory means it is four competitive matches unbeaten for the Reds with an aggregate scoreline of 17-2. There will be hopes that Carshalton can carry forward the momentum into Sunday versus Sutton United Reserves.
Sutton United Reserves
Sutton United Reserves secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over A.F.C. Whyteleafe Women 1st to progress in the Capital Intermediate Cup which was made even more impressive by the fact that Leafe apply their trade in the division above. In the Surrey Premier Division, meanwhile, Sutton reside just above Carshalton in fourth place on 14 points after eight games, that said, the Robins boast a game in hand. Sunday’s visitors went two unbeaten at the start of the season, drawing 2-2 with Dorking Wanderers Development in their curtain raiser and thumping Old Tiffinians 3-1 the following week. The Reserves had their momentum disrupted when they faced off against league toppers Farnham Town and fell to a 4-0 defeat before Leatherhead Youth put three past them for no reply. From mid-October, the U’s fortunes gradually changed, largely because they had got the top two teams in the league out the way early in the campaign. Beating Epsom & Ewell 2-1 ensued a four-match unbeaten streak where Sutton won 15-4 on aggregate, seven of which came against rock-bottom Old Tiffinians.
Last season in the seventh tier of the Women’s Football Pyramid, the U’s consolidated themselves mid-table level on points with Beecholme Belles (21). However, 2022-23 saw Sutton finish runners-up and come narrowly close to beating out Ashmount Leigh for promotion to the sixth tier.
At the end of the last campaign, the U’s said goodbye to reserve team manager, Courtney Bartlett, and ushered in joint managers, Ian Bowerman and Ben White. As well as that, after discussions, it was felt the junior girls section would benefit from moving directly into the reserve team set up and instead they have now entered a team into the Junior Premier League.
Likely Line-Ups
Carshalton Athletic
Patton, Rodriguez, Edwards, Dady, Dulley, Chapman, Eade, Gueriani, Throp, Nebbitt, Measures
Sutton United Reserves
Barry, Boult, Byfield-Arscott, Clark, De Ascensao, Duncan-Pond, Martinez, Palmer-Lockhart, Quaintance, Walsh, Wright
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Mia Patton made a first start in the Surrey Premier Division in the 2024-25 season at the weekend when she replaced Georgina Solly between the sticks. Rodriguez is also seemingly preferred to Demi-Lee Allen in defence at the moment.
Sutton United Reserves
Expect the U’s to have a fully fit squad at their disposal.
Pre-Match Analysis
Having gone five games unbeaten, Sutton will be high in confidence heading into Sunday. Having netted 15 times and conceded just five goals, the U’s will be a threat going forward, but also pose a challenge when the Robins try to break them down.
Key Player
Amy Wright is the U’s key player owing to her six goals in six games which makes the forward Sutton’s top goalscorer.
The Gaffer
Last May’s League Cup final saw the U’s bid farewell to long-serving Reserve Team Manager Courtney Bartlett as joint managers Ben White and Ian Bowerman took the reins. White was previously a London Development Coach for Chelsea FC Foundation as well as a youth coach at Balham FC and FC Morden.
Match Details
Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kick-Off: 14:30
Admission: Free
