Our support of the Palace Ladies teams continue with all the latest news from club chairman Richard Spokes. The fantastic season continues with more good news. Read on to find out more.
With the season coming to a close things have never been more important for the Palace Ladies with a range of crucial games across our part of your club.
First up, we have our high flying first team. Last weekend, saw a visit to lowly but plucky Eastbourne, who may not have a huge tally of points but concede few goals for a team in the lower part of the table. Needing four points from the last three games, things are getting nervy.
Eastbourne Town Ladies 0 – 2 Crystal Palace Ladies (your correspondent, CPLFC coach Richard Callaghan)
Crystal Palace Ladies moved to within one point of the league title with a professional 2-0 defeat of an honest and hard working Eastbourne side who didn’t make it easy for them.
The first half saw Palace with the lion’s share of possession and although they played some nice controlled football they lacked their usual penetration and the Eastbourne defence were able to contain the Ladies attacking threat.
Chances were created though and Roschelle Shakes, Sarah Tuffy and Jenny Kikomeko who all fired shots wide while Mary Onianwa was looking more and more dangerous as the half wore on. Palace were dealt a blow after 35 minutes when the influential Fran Ferrari had to leave the field with a recurrence of a thigh injury. But Sophie Kemp slotted in seamlessly alongside Katy Morris in the back four who with Chaz Cavanagh and Grace Beegan looked comfortable all afternoon. Another injury, this time to Sarah Prentice saw her replaced just before half time by Jade McPhun.
The second half saw Palace being more direct and from the off they were creating chances with Shakes and McPhun both going close. Jenny Kikomeko was becoming more of an influence now and it was she who set up the opening goal in th 55th minute when she cleverly flicked on a pass from Kirsty Mitchell into the path of Shakes to bring the ball down and slot it past the advancing keeper.
There was no stopping the Ladies now as they continued to push Eastbourne back, the home team having their keeper to thank for keeping the score down. Jade McPhun thought she had scored in the 70th minute when her chip looked to have crossed the line, but the referee waved play on.
However in the 81st minute Palace scored again,and it was worth waiting for. Cavanagh found herself in trouble near her own corner flag, but some nice one touch passing between her, Morris and Mitchell saw Cavanagh come away down the right. She played the ball down the line for Marshall who squared it to Tuffy just inside the box. She jinked past the defender and slammed the ball into the net off the far post.
The Ladies saw out the final few minutes comfortably for the victory they needed to see them go joint top with two games left to play while leaders London Corinthians have completed their season.
Following the game manager Davenport, who a week earlier had seen his Whyteleafe FC men’s team promoted to the Ryman league commented;
I am over the moon with the three points and the effort and application of the girls. It is great to see that confidence is high heading into next week.
Asked whether he had any concerns over securing the point needed for the title he added;
As long as we play the way we have all season, and trust in our abilities, even if things are not going to plan, we should be OK. However, we won’t be celebrating anything until we know we are up for sure.
In terms of predictions, the one thing Davenport seemed sure of was;
The support and backing for our Ladies will be as strong as ever. We hear that we may get a fair few of our newest supporters along on Sunday. The more the merrier. They have been fantastic towards us this year and something Palace should be very proud of.
The next game takes place at the Crystal Palace Sports Centre on Sunday 4th May. Kick off is at 2pm. This is how things stand in the league table with two games left to play;
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | London Corinthians | 20 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 37 | 48 |
| 2 | Crystal Palace | 18 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 37 | 48 |
| 3 | Crawley Wasps | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 33 | 42 |
| 4 | Maidstone United | 20 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 38 |
| 5 | Westfield | 20 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 28 | 35 |
AND THE GOOD NEWS CONTINUES
Elsewhere across the club, we saw our U12s confirm the runners-up spot in their league after another excellent season.
This was the same with our ever-improving U14s which shows the strengths we have coming through.
Our European victors in the U16s remain on course for a shot at the league title now needing a maximum of three points from their last three matches to guarantee the title. They are the curtain raiser to the first team game on Sunday, kicking off at 10am in a double header against Kempton.
This weekend, as well as league title challengers, we wish the very best to our U12 Reds and U13 Reds who have a tough County Cup Final on Sunday.
This Sunday could prove to be the defining day of the season for so many at our club.
May The 4th Be With Us !
This weeks photo is of our Under 12 Reds. County Cup finalists next weekend and league runners-up
