To continue our series of diary entries from the Palace Ladies this season, captain Freya Holdaway shares her view on the opening two games of the season in The FA Women’s League Cup competition.
The last two games could not have gone better for us.
Our first game we played Tottenham Hotspur at home on a Saturday night under the lights – and won on penalties! It is the first time I have beaten Spurs so that meant an awful lot to me as well the rest of the team. This is evident in the images that have been shared from the night at Hayes Lane, certainly an occassion to remember.
The second game was the long trip down South to take on Yeovil, a side that compete in the Women’s Super League, and we managed a narrow one goal win! What a result for the Palace Ladies, the bus journey back to South London was very lively including plenty of karaoke (no naming names!).
The girls are really coming together. The sense of teamwork and hard working ethic is second to none. Neither one of those two games could have been won if we played as individuals. We have really bonded as a team over the past few weeks and that is clear for all to see on the pitch, it is really paying off.
The coaching staff have really emphasised our tactics over the last three weeks and it has proven to be a success even at this early stage. We are going into games feeling prepared and understand what the role each of us have to play.
This weekend presents an international break with myself and my teammate Ciara Sherwood away. This does however provide the rest of the team additional time to prepare for our first league game at home against Leicester City on the 9th September. After the two opening results we have picked up, there is a mass of belief in and amongst the team and our ability to perform against those in our league.
New challenges will present themselves throughout the season but I for one am confident that we can work through each of them and be successful.
The team is already making history for Palace Ladies. Exciting times lay ahead.
