The Palace Ladies took their first step into the Surrey FA County Cup on Sunday, determined to avoid a potential banana skin when hosting Egham Town Ladies at home of National League side Bromley writes chairman Richard Spokes.
On paper, the tie heavily favoured the Eagles who sit a few leagues above the visitors. Speaking before the game, head coach Dean Davenport was keen to ensure that nothing was taken for granted.
It is very important that the girls focus on the task in hand today. Egham will come here with nothing to lose. We are carrying good form into the tie and it is important that we stick to the plan.
Following a sombre and respectful minute of silence following the tragic events in Paris on Friday evening, Palace set about the task at hand with efficiency and a degree of ruthlessness. Even though Angie Kiobel, Mary Robinson and the injured Leanne Bell were missing from the side, Palace illustrated their superiority in an opening five minute spell where the visitors barely touch the ball. This culminated in a fine run by Abi Igbavboa across the edge of the area before settling and firing home from eighteen yards.
Palace sought to immediately hammer home the advantage and dictate the flow of the game and it was Igbavboa that again struck from range to put the Eagles two up early on. With Egham clearly rocked, Palace went close on numerous occasions but thwarted by some good goalkeeping by the Egham number one.
A third was to follow as the industrious Leesa Haydock latched onto a bouncing ball on the half volley. The fourth however, was a special goal. Freya Holdaway received the ball on the halfway line and pressed forward, outwitting two challenges before firing the ball with pinpoint precision into the top corner from over twenty yards.
Palace were now in full flow with the roll-on, roll-off substitutions being capitalised on. Heading towards the break, the hosts looked to put the game beyond reach. Jade Davenport put in one of many accurate crosses from the right which was met exquisitely by Rochelle Shakes with a flicked volley that cannoned off the bar and fell to Alma Donohoe following up from the left. With clinical precision, Donohoe fired home from eight yards.
There was time for more before half time as a sixth arrived when Davenport again supplied Shakes, who converted from close range, completing a ruthless and impressive half of football for the hosts.
The second half saw Palace deliver much of the same in a respectful but dominant period of football. The scoring continued with Shakes grabbing her second followed by Kelsey Zalimeni who cut inside from the left and let fly a rocket of a shot from well over twenty yards which saw the ball settle low into the far right corner of the net.
With Palace settled into useful spells of possession and passing, a tiring but valiant Egham were continually stretched. With just quarter of an hour left to play, Holdaway added her second and Palace’s ninth with a close range header. Not to be outdone, Shakes bagged her hat-trick soon after.
One of the goals of the game two minutes later after some lovely build up play. A ball across the edge of the area fell to Gemma Bryan who unselfishly threw in an outrageous dummy, allowing Igbavboa to fire home into the top corner for her hat-trick.
With Egham now spent, Palace scored two quick fire goals in the final five minutes through Donohoe for her second and a well deserved addition from Bryan, whose tenacity and patience was recognised by the appreciative crowd and her teammates.
Speaking after the hugely impressive win, coach Davenport was clearly impressed but typically grounded.
First off, we must give credit to Egham who were playing above their usual level today. They were honest, determined and gave their all. As a team that has progressed from the Surrey League in recent years, we know how hard they must be working, and we wish them luck for the future.
Looking at our performance, the girls did exactly as they were asked. We put into practice some good passing and possession phases and looked to exploit opportunities as individuals and a team. We scored some great goals, from all areas of the pitch, with a blend of experience and youth. All in all, we can be very pleased with a good days work and can now look forward to the draw for the next round.
Looking ahead, Dean added:
Next week we return to league action at home to Lowestoft, so it is back to the training ground to prepare ourselves. Hopefully, we can get another good crowd in to add to the new faces that joined us today. The backing of the Palace fans means so much to us and we look forward to welcoming them to a Hayes Lane.
The draw for the next round of the Surrey FA County Cup has handed Palace a home game against Abbey Rangers while the reserves have been given a tough home tie against AFC Wimbledon.
Crystal Palace Ladies host Lowestoft Town Ladies in the FA Women’s Premier League on Sunday 22nd November at Bromley FC, Hayes Lane, BR2 9EF. Kick off is at 2pm. Entry is £3 per adult with under 16s free.
