Crystal Palace Ladies rounded off 2015 in style with an emphatic win in their continued unbeaten run in the FA Women’s Premier League this season writes chairman Richard Spokes.
Despite an early setback at Hayes Lane on Sunday, the Eagles ran out 10-1 winners with some stunning football against Bedford.
In front of a vocal crowd, Palace were caught cold when after just three minutes, the visitors sprung the off-side trap and left keeper Sam Saint with no chance with a clinical finish. The hosts took a few minutes to settle into stride but slowly took command, with the remainder of the first half being almost exclusively played in the Bedford half. A few chances came and went, including that moment when players and fans are left wondering if it was going to be ‘one of those days’, when a fine shot from Leesa Haydock beat the goalkeeper and thumped resoundingly in off the post.
The home sides nerves were partially put to rest when a great piece of individual skill from Abi Igbavboa resulted in the first of her three goals on the day. Palace appeared reassured and took the lead through a fantastic piece of team play that saw Rochelle Shakes pass out to the left for Alma Donohoe to whip a cross into the box that was met expertly by Pammy McRoberts who stooped low to head the ball home. The first half scoring was completed shortly before the break by Igbavboa who had a shot from outside the box which rifled in off the post.
Palace got to work quickly in the second half and scored twice in the first ten minutes courtesy of a Gemma Bryan volley from just inside the box and a third for Igbavboa following a typically mazey run and shot from distance into the top corner. It was the turn of the industrious Shakes to get on the scoresheet, with a well placed drive into the bottom corner from twenty yards.
Head coach Dean Davenport then started a round of substitutions, using all three in order to keep the tempo going. Nicha Dyett replaced debutant Fran Ali, Leanne Bell and Steph Mann came on for McRoberts and Igbavboa. With less than twenty left to play substitute Dyett latched on to a lovely ball into the box and cooly rounded the keeper to slot home. A minute later, the pain was increased on the visitors when Bryan scored the Palace eighth with an exquisite shot having cut in from the right side of the box, placing the ball past the keeper into the far left corner.
The industrious Bell had a fine shot initially saved by the Bedford keeper, only for Dyett to bag her second from close range. The perfect ten was complete thanks to the second hat-trick of the game, when Bryan wrapped things up following an effort by Donohoe that fell kindly for a simple finish.
Speaking exclusively to TEB after the game, head coach Davenport commented;
We played some lovely football today, moving the ball well against a determined and improving Bedford team. Our start was disappointing and a carbon copy of our slip up against the same team last season. The girls knew how much that cost us in the long run and were determined not to make the same mistake again. When we got settled, we played some attractive, expansive and high quality football. Some of our finishing today was up there with the best this season.
Asked about rounding out the year at the top of the league, Davenport was typically cautious;
Of course, it is nice to be there as we head for the Christmas break half-way through the season with good points on the board. But it is only half-way and we have to remain focussed. We started 2015 with a chance of promotion and missed out through occasionally losing that focus, so we know the hard work continues from game one in 2016. We know we have the right players for the job, that they have what it takes and really want that one promotion spot that is available, so we keep our heads and work hard to build on the great efforts made so far this season.
Dean was also keen to acknowledge the support being shown for the Ladies:
As well as some great improvements on the pitch, this season has seen some fantastic support for us off the pitch. Our incredible and growing supporter network, led by the vocal and at times tuneful lads from the Holmesdale Fanatics is unique in our league. And of course the support being shown by the main club and our loyal sponsors at Lark Insurance, RoadRunners Minicabs and Farr Vintners has made our progress possible.
One final thank you of the day was offered by Dean;
Today, we would all like to thank the groundsman Ian Jordan and the owners of Bromley Football Club for the terrific efforts made to allow us to play our game today, despite the recent weather. Having the ability to complete our fixtures on a quality pitch, and avoid a backlog in the future could prove to be an essential part of our efforts this season. So, to them and all of those who believe in our efforts, we offer our sincerest thanks and warmest wishes for the holiday season.
Crystal Palace Ladies. South London and proud.
