Palace Ladies Reserves came through a tough encounter against their Tottenham Hotspur counterparts as they booked their place in the last four of the FA Women’s Premier League Reserve League Cup on Sunday writes chairman Richard Spokes.
Palace who had made changes ahead of the game, knew that the Spurs team, unbeaten in the reserve league and whose first team are progressing well in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Premier, would be a stern challenge.
Underdogs Palace often looked to have a degree of control during the match, but Spurs refused to buckle and kept the tie honest, and somewhat nervy for the Eagles, until the very end.
Spurs’ Ronnell Humes went closest for the visitors early on in a bright start but it was Palace who soon took command. The in form Gemma Bryan, partnering Nicha Dyett up front, had an initial shot wide, and then Spurs keeper Holman saved from a good cross soon after.
It was Bryan who opened the scoring with a cracker. In typical Palace style, the ball was played out by Palace keeper Chanell Yardley and was effectively moved through the team to the very mobile Bryan. She outfoxed the centre backs and dribbled across the edge of the area before firing a low shot wide of Holman, into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box.
At the Palace end, Yardley did well to deny a shot from Dionne Manning and then deal with a further effort as Spurs chased for a quick response. Having ridden the storm, it was Palace who struck next just before the half hour. Following good work down the right by Jade Davenport, Dyett was kept at bay, only for the ball to fall to the well positioned Bryan who slotted home from eighteen yards.
Spurs rallied further with a speculative effort from Chiatate-Samuriwo that just cleared Yardley’s bar but Palace held out for a two goal lead at half time.
The side from North London started much the brighter of the two teams after the break, with Palace pushed back deep into their own half. The Eagles defence of Katy Morris, Sarah Jones, Lexie Spokes and Kelsey Zalimeni worked well to repel the onslaught, allowing opportunities for counter-attacks by the pacey Mary Robinson, Dyett and Bryan.
The pressure from Spurs did result in a reward with half an hour to go when a cross from the left was smartly converted by the lively Chiatate-Samuriwo.
The Eagles retaliated with a good spell of pressure, generating numerous set pieces that were defended well by the visitors. The industrious Leesa Haydock went close before an exquisite reverse pass from substitute Georgie O’Halloran, just inside the Spurs half, set Dyett free who settled well and slotted past the keeper. Despite the desperate off-side protestations from the Spurs ranks, the goal stood and Palace had their two goal lead back.
Defiantly, Spurs quickly reduced the arrears when Humes saw an effort from the left beat the stranded Yardley to set up a nervous last twelve minutes for the Eagles. Tottenham gave their all during the remaining minutes and extended injury time, but Palace dug deep and kept the North Londoners at bay until a very welcome final whistle.
Without a doubt, this was a shock result for many, but it was deserved reward for a determined and tenacious Palace side who now remain the only South of England team in the semi finals of the competition. They will face either Bradford City, Blackburn Rovers or the winners of the postponed tie between Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest.
Speaking exclusively to TEB after the game, reserve team coach John Harney was proud of the efforts of all involved:
Every player did their bit today. Spurs are a difficult team to play against, well organised and strong all over the pitch. We were clinical and efficient in key areas and dug in when needed. We did let Spurs back into the game, but that is the thing the girls are learning fast. Make mistakes at the higher levels and you get punished.
What was great today, was to see members of the first team give up a rare Sunday afternoon off and support the team. Having players such as Rochelle Shakes, Alex Elson, Angie Kiobel and Pammy McRoberts cheering the team on will have really helped the girls.
It is the latter of the supporting first team players who Palace Ladies are rightly proudest of this week. This follows a first full international call up for the right sided Pammy McRoberts, who represents Northern Ireland against Switzerland in the UEFA Women’s Championships in Lurgan on Friday night. Everyone connected with Crystal Palace Ladies would like to wish Pammy all the very best for this important night and proud honour.
The first team return to action this Sunday against higher level opposition in the shape of Coventry United for the next round of the League Cup plate competition. The game kicks off at 2pm at Bromley, gates and bar open early with all supporters welcome as the Eagles look for two cup upsets in as many weeks.
Palace Ladies. South London and as proud as ever.
