CAFC Women vs Dorking Wanderers Development – Preview
Carshalton Athletic take on Dorking Wanderers Development at Colston Avenue on Sunday with hopes of carrying the momentum from last week’s cup victory over Guernsey into the league fixture.
Robins Review
Aaron Lamont’s side progressed in the Isthmian Cup over the weekend with a penalty shootout victory over Guernsey. Carshalton’s toughest test to date, Lamont and co would have learned a lot about their squad following the tightly contested contest. It is a return to league action Sunday and the Robins will want to build on their 5-0 thumping of Beecholme Belles in the curtain raiser at the beginning of September.
Dorking Wanderers Women’s Development Team
The Dorking Wanderers Women’s Development Team got their 2024-25 campaign off to the perfect start with a 4-0 thumping of Old Tiffinians FC Women away at the Gristle Memorial Ground. Jasmine Smith and Ella Svanstrom were on the scoresheet, Smith the main difference maker with a hat trick.
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
Solley, Nevitt, Allen, McCarthy, Edwards, Dady, Dulley, Williams, Chapman, Throp, Eade
Dorking Wanderers Women’s Development Team
Grace-Anne Bates, Olivia Benbow, Imogen Cochrane, Isabella Farooqi, Darcie Humphrey, Zoe Lawrence, Lucy Robinson, Mia Robinson, Jasmine Smith (3), Ella Svanstrom, Iaia O’toole
Team News
Carshalton Athletic
Goalkeeper Shakara Brown will be unavailable for the fixture owing to an injury, India Cox could return; however, Ella Bond is likely to remain absent for the foreseeable future. There is a lot of competition for places in this team, which could see a shake-up, particularly in the forward areas with the likes of Heather Eade and Kanita Throp.
Dorking Wanderers Women’s Development Team
The visitors are expected to have a fully fit squad at their disposal.
Pre-Match Analysis
Given the very small sample size and their infancy as a team, it is difficult to analyse Dorking Wanderers Women’s Development. That being said, from the first game it appears they possess similar free-scoring tendencies to the Robins and enjoy a press, so it will be a tough test at Colston.
Key Player
Of course, Jasmine Smith is the Wanderer’s key player following her hat trick on the opening day and her much-deserved Player of the Match award.
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, September 22 2024
Venue: Colston Avenue
Kickoff: 02:00 PM
Admission: Free
