CAFC Women vs Old Tiffinians – Preview
The Robins travel to the Grists Memorial Ground to face off against rock-bottom Old Tiffinians in the Surrey Premier Division on Sunday afternoon.
Robins Review
Aaron Lamont’s side secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Croydon FC in the Surrey Premier Division on Sunday at the Croydon Sports Arena, thanks to a brace from Sarah Chapman. The Robins were dominant for the first 30 minutes but became vulnerable on the break for the rest of the first half and throughout the second. A late goal from the Trams had the Reds fearing they might drop crucial points as the season heads into its final stretch.
The win lifts the ladies to the top of the Surrey Premier with 31 points, surpassing Leatherhead Youth (30) and Dorking Wanderers Development (29). Carshalton have a game in hand over Dorking, but fourth-place Farnham Town (27) hold a significant four-game advantage. The victory also extends the club’s winning streak to five games, though Croydon proved to be their toughest challenge since the 5-2 loss to South London Women’s First in the Capital Intermediate Cup at the end of January. Croydon will also be the Reds’ opponents in the Surrey Cup final at Dorking in May.
A win over Old Tiffinians should provide a much-needed confidence boost for the Robins as they approach a crucial end to the league season, with tough fixtures against Sutton United Reserves and Farnham on the horizon. There’s also the League Cup Final at Meadowbank to look forward to.
Old Tiffinians
Rock bottom of the Surrey Premier Division on zero points and with a goal difference of -29 after 13 games, Tiffs will be desperate to put 2024-25 campaign behind them. OTFC were beaten 4-0 by Dorking Wanderers Development in their 2024-25 curtain raiser before a trio of 3-1 defeats at the hands of Beecholme Belles, Sutton United Reserves, and Croydon respectively. Knocked out of the Capital Women’s Intermediate Cup the following week 5-0 by Epsom & Ewell, Sutton would thump them 7-0 to conclude a rather grim October. Tiffs had conceded 25 goals in just six games, only finding the net themselves on three occasions.
That said, they came agonisingly close to not only progressing through in the Surrey Divisional Cup but also a first win of the season when Hersham defeated the Tiffs 5-3 on penalties. Owing to the fact that the club has their last two fixtures against Beecholme and Leatherhead Youth, Tiffs final game before the Christmas break was one they will want to forget being dispatched 12-0 by league favourites Farnham. Things did not get much better in the new year, Tiffs suffered a heavy 17-0 defeat to Carshalton, before losing 3-0 and then a whopping 12-0 against Croydon and Leatherhead Youth at the start of February in the Surrey Premier. The month concluded with a 5-1 thumping to Epsom & Ewell. Last month saw OTFC lose 20-1 on aggregate versus Dorking Wanderers Development, Leatherhead, and Beecholme, the former winning 14-1.
Old Tiffinians were Surrey Division 1 in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns, earning promotion to the Premier Division.
Likely line-ups
Carshalton Athletic
Solly, Nebbitt, Allen, Rodriguez, E. Andrade, Edwards, Throp, Alderman, Eade, Chapman, M. Andrade
Old Tiffinians
Cheang, Coombs, Harper, Leggat, McGregor, Middleton, Morris, Rowe, Schwefel, Swinburn, Turner
Team news
Carshalton Athletic
Following a few months out, attacker India Cox returned to first-team proceedings on Sunday. Cox was a half-time substitute replacing Josie Alderman, she came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.
Old Tiffinians
Expect a fully fit Old Tiffinians squad.
Pre-Match Analysis
Tiffs have conceded the most goals in the Surrey Premier in 2024-25, picking the ball out of the net 89 times. Not only do the club boast the worst defensive record, but up the other end, OTFC have also really struggled. Old Tiffinians have scored six goals, eight fewer than second-from-bottom Beecholme Belles.
Key Player
Forward Fiona Leggat is Tiffs most important player, Leggat has netted four times in the 2024-25 campaign, the most of any player in purple.
Match Details
Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
Venue: Grists Memorial Ground
Kick-off: 13:30
Admission: Free
