Our weekly feature on the Palace Ladies as chairman Richard Spokes exclusively shares with TEB the latest from the club both on and off the pitch.
With what is likely to have been the last competitive match day of the season, last Sunday was without doubt one of the busiest at Palace Ladies.
Starting off with our open trials, the gates of Bromley Arena opened very early and over the course of the day saw over 150 hopefuls pass through the trials process. This was a record attendance for our club and shows just how the reputation of our club and our sport in general is strengthening. The quality of the attendees was very high and the tough task of decision making lies ahead for our coaches.
The afternoon saw a massively nervous ninety minutes for all, when our first team made the trip to season long title favourites C&K Basildon. After a campaign that had exceeded all expectations, the Eagles were still in with an outside shot of taking the one and only promotion place. Needing a win in this game and another against Norwich with a six goal swing, it was going to be a tough ask. As we have found this season, we have a team ready for these sorts of challenges.
In front of a large crowd, made up mostly of Palace’s magnificent travelling army, the Ladies started well and they soon took the lead when a through ball to Roschelle Shakes was flicked on to Emma Whitter who drew the keeper before coolly lobbing her for a nicely taken goal.
Palace were on top and had the opportunity to further their lead but chances for Whitter, Shakes and Abi Igbavboa all went begging. Basildon were relying on long balls to ease the pressure and their only attacking threat came from set pieces, which Palace dealt with comfortably in the main, with Freya Holdaway and Katy Morris both outstanding.
However, in first half injury time, a ball into the Palace box saw the Basildon forward get to it just before Holdaway and with the slightest of contact, the forward made the most of it and convinced the referee to award the penalty which they duly converted.
The second half started with Palace looking as if the penalty decision was still affecting them, and it showed in their play. Basildon were quick to take advantage of the visitors slow start and soon went ahead when a corner was not cleared, and from the ensuing cross the forward got ahead of Sarah Jones to head into the net past Sam Saint.
Manager Dean Davenport tried to change things by bringing on Steph Mann for Chas Cavanagh to play three at the back, but his plans took a severe knock a few minutes later when influential captain Katy Morris had to come off with a very bad eye injury after a high boot from one of the Basildon forwards.
Alma Donohoe took her place in a bold move from Davenport, but Basildon went further ahead when once again a corner was not cleared, and in the scramble their forward reacted first to bundle the ball over the line for the goal that effectively sealed the result.
Palace tried their best to get back into the game, but it just was not happening for them and although Steph Mann did pull one back with a well struck shot, it was too little too late and it was Basildon who were celebrating promotion at the final whistle.
Speaking exclusively to TheEaglesBeak.com after the game, manager Dean Davenport commented;
Although everyone is disappointed, it is accepted that they just did not perform well enough over the whole game on the day against a strong team. Even though we did not target back to back promotions, we should be rightly proud of our season but we cannot help but think what could have been. Whilst it is painful now, to have come so close, we will only be stronger for it as we go into a new season which was always going to be the one for the big push.
When asked as to what word other than decent he would use to sum up the season, Dean opted for ‘pride’, summarising by adding;
As a club, we have a structure in place that is geared towards the development of our first team. In our players and volunteers, we have people who realise what it means to be a part of Crystal Palace and will do their all for their club. In our supporters, sponsors and club partners we have the best in the business. Every single person who has gone out of their way to get Palace Ladies where they are now is a part of something very special.
Whilst it was not the return home that the ladies were hoping for, everyone hastily made the trip back to the Bromley Arena for a very special occasion – the testimonial match for Palace Ladies legend Sam Saint. Marking twenty years of dedicated playing service at our club, the match, between past and present Palace Ladies selected by Sam and a who’s who of local football talent, (made up of our Holmesdale Fanatics supporters, Lark Insurance, The Eagles Beak, Palace Fan TV, Palace Radio, Michael Hulf and friends), was a terrific occasion for Sam and again showed just how the Palace Ladies family has grown.
In front of a bumper crowd, there were some near epic performances from the guest squads, with the quality, at times, almost clear to see. With some neat football, some great moments and some players even making it past thirty minutes, it was possibly one of the more relaxed ninety minutes of football we have been involved with this season. Certainly one of the most enjoyable.
The occasion was marked with a guard of honour and presentation for Sam, not to mention a rare outfield performance that may leave Dean with selection headaches next season!.
Speaking exclusively to TheEaglesBeak.com after the game, the ever modest Sam said;
I would like to thank everyone who took part in this event to mark my twenty years at the club. It really does mean a lot to me and I am very grateful. It was great to see so many faces, past and present, Thank you to you all.
Asked about a certain penalty incident, Sam added;
Taking penalties like that reminds me why I started playing in goal!
And so, a very busy, productive and memorable season drew to an close, with punditry to rival Phil Neville taking place well into the evening in the Ravens Bar at Bromley Arena. Much of this will be ignored in next weeks round up of the season, although one thing is clearer now than ever. That one thing being, whether you are an under 9 player starting out, a willing parent, a club volunteer, a first team player, a sponsor or passionate supporter …..
We are Crystal Palace. We are South London and very proud.
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