Arriving at a playing field in Ifield, Crawley fifteen minutes after kick off and the Palace Ladies were already two goals to the good.
It was an ominous start for the Eagles as pre-season was well under way. Another four goals were added to the scoreboard before the break putting the game well out of reach for the local Wasps even in the longer that usual grassed pitch. The best goal of the half was a delightful chip over the goalkeeper scored by impressive new signing Ciara Sherwood.
Before the break there was an unfortunate stoppage after a player had identified a present from a local dog had been left on the pitch. Not the kind of experience Premier League footballers have but all the same, an unwanted problem that plagues park pitches up and down the country, not just in the women’s game.
But back on topic and there were less goals in the second half including a well deserved consolation for the hosts along with plenty of changes in personnel including some players on trial as manager Dean Davenport looks to continue improving his squad. Northern Irish international Sherwood completed her hat-trick in what was a terrific all round display.
Palace showed quite how much of a gulf there is between divisions in women’s football but it has to be said that Crawley Wasps are a club going about their business in the right way and are rightly proud of what they have achieved so far.
It was a classy performance from Palace who are looking ahead to a season at the highest level the club have ever experienced. The defeat was a harsh lesson for the Wasps but the experience will no doubt put them in good stead for the future.
The team followed up the terrific win in Crawley with another goal fest against Basingstoke on Sunday but there is no doubt that league opposition will be a quite different proposition when the season kicks off.
Here is coach Gareth Buckley talking to Palace Ladies TV about the campaign ahead.
