CAFC vs Dorking Wanderers Development – Preview
Carshalton Athletic Women return to Surrey Premier Division action when the ladies travel to the Oakwood Sports Centre to take on Dorking Wanderers Development on Sunday afternoon.
Robins Review
A youthful Carshalton Athletic Women edged higher-tier Leatherhead 3-2 on Friday following an impressive display in the friendly at Colston Avenue. It ensured the Robins returned to winning ways after they were knocked out of the Capital Intermediate Cup 5-2 the weekend before last at the hands of South London First.
Currently, the Reds languish second in the Surrey Premier Division on 19 points after nine matches. League toppers Farnham have two games in hand. There will be hopes that Aaron Lamont’s side can keep pace with Town by securing a league win over Dorking Wanderers Development on Sunday.
Dorking Wanderers Development
Dorking Wanderers Development have enjoyed a strong season so far, and currently, the club occupy fourth place with 17 points; however, that is only after eight games, which means the Wanderers have a game in hand over Sutton United Reserves, who trail just behind them in fifth, and ourselves, languishing second. Their 2024-25 campaign got off to the perfect start when Dorking put together a five-match unbeaten run as they dispatched off Old Tiffinians, Sutton United Reserves, the Reds, Beecholme Belles, and Croydon FC all with relative ease. The Development side netted 13 times during that period, while also keeping two clean sheets. That said, the club had their momentum disrupted towards the backend of October at home to league toppers Farnham Town, falling to a 4-1 defeat. The Wanderers did not dwell on it too long and bounced back in November as they secured a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Sutton before an emphatic 7-3 victory over Epsom & Ewell. Dorking Wanderers Development had their Surrey Premier Division fixture against Beecholme Belles just before Christmas postponed.
Newly established, Wanderers coined a Development Team with an eye to expand their ever-growing club and, more importantly, forge a clear new pathway for talented female players into the senior side. Richard King, Head of Elite Development at Dorking Wanderers, said: “The development team is an important new link in our Girls/Women’s pathway.” Mike Parsonson, Girls Football Development Manager at the club, added: “[It’s] the start of an exciting season ahead for Dorking Wanderers Development Team, Joe Clark [coach], [and] Wayne Robinson [coach]. A great addition to the Elite Girls Development Pathway into Dorking Wanderers FC Women.”
Their first outing was a pre-season friendly in early August against Woking FC Women, which was quickly followed by Eastbourne Borough Women the next week. The latter game saw the Wanderers slow to start but grow into the game with some great pressing and excellent football. After that, it was a trip to Hounslow to face off against QPR Women’s Development, they took a very young squad with just three players over 16 years of age from a 17-player squad. Pre-season concluded with a convincing display away at Egham Town ladies.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
McNulty, Nebbitt, Rodriguez, Davis, Throp, Alderman, Dulley, Chapman, Eade, Gueriani, Measures
Dorking Wanderers Development
Robinson ©, Clarke, Humphrey, White, Cochrane, Benbow, O’Toole, Bates, Robinson, Farooqi, Smith
Team news
Carshalton Athletic
There were a number of changes for Aaron Lamont’s side following the 5-2 defeat to South London First in the Capital Intermediate Cup on Sunday. Former Sutton United goalkeeper Zoe McNulty replaced Georgina Solly between the sticks, Georgie Edwards returned from injury and was deployed as the right centre-back of a back five, while there was also the inclusion of a series of young trialists and academy players in the starting XI and on the bench.
Dorking Wanderers Development
Managers Wayne Robinson and Joe Clark are not afraid to rotate their Wanderers side with the likes of Fletcher, Kuwertz, and Lawrence all absent for Epsom & REwell despite starting against Sutton. O’Toole has been preferred in recent weeks, while forwards Robinson, Farooqi, and Smith are mainstays.
Pre-Match Analysis
Dorking Wanderers Development are a team who create a lot of chances. Against Sutton, the Wanderers could have had six or seven goals. A side that play some excellent football, the Surrey-based team will be frustrated at the three they conceded versus Epsom.
Key Player
Dorking forward Jasmine Smith is currently the top goal scorer in the Surrey Premier Division boasting a whopping 14 goals. Last time out, she put four past Epsom, single-handedly tearing the Salts apart.
The Gaffer
Joe Clark and Wayne Robinson have been given stewardship of the Women’s Development Team. The duo guided the U16 Elite Girls team to a Tier 1 League and Cup Double last season and had their efforts rewarded with the opportunity to bring through the next generation of female footballers at Dorking.
Match Details
Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025
Venue: Oakwood Sports Centre
Kickoff: 02:30 PM
Admission: Free
