With the new campaign underway, club photographer and friend of TEB Michael Hulf gave us his match report after witnessing the second game of the season for the Palace Ladies.
The Palace Ladies continued their perfect start to the season with two wins from two against Chichester in a tough encounter which saw the Eagles end the match with nine players.
Straight from kick off, Palace could feel the improvement in opposition in the form of newly promoted Chichester by boasting several experienced players with FA Women’s Premier League history.
Northern Irish international Ciara Sherwood fired home her first of the season after a scramble in the Chichester area, showing no sign of tiredness despite flying home from international duty, along with team-mate Pam McRoberts, just hours before kick off.
Striker Gemma Bryan’s hard work gifted Nikita Whinnett her fourth in two games after Bryan’s surging run and initial effort fell kindly to Whinnett to fire home into an open net from six yards. Chichester did find a reply later in the half but it was the Eagles who went in at the break 2-1 ahead.
Palace started the second half in the best possible way with Sherwood firing home her second of the afternoon thanks to a powerful effort after Ellie Bailes and Rosie Paye went close. The hosts continued where they left off in the first half with a physical approach towards their visitors with Megen Lynch coming off worse for wear catching a boot to the face. Bryan found the net after great build up play by substitue Ellie Stenning, making it thirteen goals in two games for the striker.
The ladies showed their determination and grit, finishing the game with only nine players as both Paye and McRoberts were forced off with injury after all three substitues had been made. Chichester pushed hard for a second against the makeshift team, Hannah Samuels making a phenomenal goal line clearance to deny the Lillywhites before they found the back of the net with the last kick of the match but it was Palace who ran out victors by four goals to two.
After the perfect start to the campaign, next week see’s the Eagles take on Brislington Town in the first cup game of the new season, as they look to continue the fine start.
