CAFC Women vs Farnborough – preview
Carshalton Athletic and Farnborough FC are opposite sides of a coin, while Boro have enjoyed a successful debut season with their recently established Women’s First team, the Robins have yet to get started and aspire to do similar when their journey through the football pyramid gets underway – Two exciting Women’s Football projects clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Robins Review
Carshalton Athletic bid to return to winning ways when they welcome a talented Farnborough FC on the rise to Colston Avenue Sunday afternoon.
After Wednesday’s fixture against Woking was cancelled because the visitors could not field a team, the Robins were not allowed to right the wrongs of last week’s 5-3 defeat to Brentford.
The summer has given new manager Aaron Lamont the chance to build and gel a new side to prepare them for step 7 and align with the club’s aims of climbing the football pyramid to the “highest sustainable position”.
Despite just 450 minutes under their belts as a team, the girls have enjoyed comfortable victories over Reigate and Haywards Heath, while making a good account of themselves against two well-established women’s outfits – Sutton United and the Bees.
With plans laid out in August to have two adult Women’s sides for the season starting this month, the Robins’ journey is on the horizon.
Bolstered by the wealth of experience of player/assistant manager Georgie Edwards, who previously applied her trade at AFC Wimbledon and Watford, Lamont made it clear: “The club has set ambitious targets for the team, and I intend to achieve them,” this weekend will provide the perfect indication for the young coach of where Carshalton are at as a team.
Farnborough FC
Since Farnborough FC Women was announced in April 2023, it is fair to say that Boro have become one of the most exciting projects in the Women’s game.
Despite still in their infancy, the Yellows boast an A Team and a B Team that both experienced a tremendous amount of success last season.
Craig Shields A Team clinched the Hampshire County Women’s Football League Division Three title, and they overcame Division Two Champions Bursledon Ladies to lift the FA Women’s Trophy and claim their second piece of silverware of the 2023-24 campaign – in just their first year in existence.
The B Team was established as the perfect platform for players coming through the girl’s pathway to find their feet in adult Women’s football before potentially moving onto the first team.
Finishing second place in Division Six and more importantly sealing promotion after their 3-2 victory over Petersfield Town FC on the final day, the B’s also went on a memorable cup run in the Junior Cup.
It started back in September with a 3-0 win over Aldershot. Comprehensive victories against Gosport Falcons Devs and AFC Varsity Reserves followed before a thrilling 3-2 semi-final win versus PACE from Division Four.
Even though Boro had already beaten two sides from the leagues above, they lost 5-0 in the final to AFC Totten after a competitive first half.
Following the achievements of the Women’s team, the Chairman said: “I am looking forward to being part of a growing club and developing the ladies into a strong force next season.
What an outstanding first season for everyone involved with the Women’s teams.”
Throughout the summer, both teams have been consolidating their squads, Captain Leighann May, one of the first players to sign with the club, was retained, while goalkeeper Morgan Palmer, responsible for lots of clean sheets, and Golden Boot winner Ellie Stalley also remained with the club. There was a trio of incomings to add to those retained.
In one of their more well-documented pre-season matches, the Yellows played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with London and South East Regional Women’s Division One North side Brentford.
With two successful teams, multiple three-figure attendances, 30+ wins, and over 100 goals, Farnborough have shown clubs like Carshalton, who are at the beginning of actioning their Women’s Football Plan, that it is worth it.
Likely lineup
Farnborough FC
Formation: 4-3-3
Carroll; Bale ©, Tzanetis, Fillepa Hall, Bradley; Pen Hall, Gallagher, Trevena; McCarthy, Curcher, Johnson
Team News
Farnborough are expected to have a fully fit squad at their disposal on Sunday.
Pre-match analysis
Despite their tender age as a football club, the Farnborough Women’s B Team have already garnered a reputation in the Hampshire league for their free-scoring tendencies. It was a common occurrence last season for the B’s to run out winners by a three or four-goal deficit, and it was largely down to their build-up play. They can move the ball quickly from defence to attack, catch the opposition out of shape, and create wave after wave of attacks.
Key Players
The 2023-24 campaign was a breakout year for young central midfielder Lani Trevena, who proved to be the bedrock of the B team. Throughout the season her performances were commended, particularly the gritty display that helped earn her side a point against the league leaders Eling Ladies.
Trevena was also praised for how she played in the Junior Cup Final; her performance ensured it was only 1-0 going into the break.
While the youngster is responsible for the strong spine of Boro, it is Hannah Sutch who is the goal machine – she even netted five times in one match last season.
The Gaffer
Apart from briefly helping out coach at youth football camps under the Aldershot Town FC Foundation banner, Craig Shields was a Marketing Executive and Freelance Writer / Copywriter before taking the reigns at Farnborough as Head of Women’s Football and First Team Manager in April 2023. And, he has done pretty well.
Despite being his first proper job in management, he guided the girls to the Division Three title and the Hampshire FA Women’s Trophy.
However, there is a new Women’s B Team Manager Penelope McCarthy, she brings a wealth of experience and featured last season in central midfield, being integral to the team’s success in achieving promotion and reaching the Junior Cup Final.
McCarthy possesses a wealth of football knowledge and has experiences in Germany and the US, as well as here in England with Oxford United, Kingsclere, and Rushmoor.
It was a historical appointment of the club as it was the first time a female manager had been appointed.
Like the first team, the B Team will feature in the Hampshire County Women’s Football League and play a pivotal role in the development of players.
She said: “I am looking forward to being part of a growing club and developing the ladies into a strong force next season.”
Last Meeting
This is the first time the two sides are encountering one another in Women’s Football.
Match Details
Where is the match being played?
The match will be played at Colston Avenue.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off is at 2:00 pm, August 11, 2024.
Admission is free to all
