Crystal Palace Ladies eased their way into the Surrey FA County Cup Final on Sunday, making light work of their semi-final against a depleted Milford Ladies team writes club chairman Richard Spokes.
In a match where the Eagles demonstrated the difference in league standings, the crowd at Bromley were treated to a wide range of well taken goals from the home side.
The scoring started as early as the first five minutes and continued at regular intervals from then onwards. The ever-impressive Roschelle Shakes started the ball rolling with a close range header followed by an eleven minute hat-trick from seventeen year old Leanne Bell. The first was an exquisite lob over the Milford keeper, followed by another great shot and capped with a header from a Holdaway corner on nineteen minutes.
Palace, by now were rampant and in impressive form, moving the ball well and dominating play. To their credit, Milford battled hard but rarely posed a threat to the Palace defence.
Next it was the turn of Gemma Bryan to get in on the scoring with the first of her own hat-trick, the third in as many games. Following a neat solo run, she shot across the keeper into the opposite corner. The first half saw one more goal for Palace, the first of two own goals from Milford, following further intense home team pressure.
With little to worry about at half-time, other than a couple of injury niggles ahead of next weeks big league match away at Gillingham, manager Dean Davenport looked for the ladies to continue the passing and movement that had served so well in the first half.
As requested, Palace provided much of the same in the second forty-five, with Bryan adding two more to complete her impressive hat-trick, the third goal being a very special shot that curled into the top corner from the edge of the box. In addition to the second own goal of the game, Palace added three more, through a Shakes second and two from Northern Ireland international Pammy McRoberts.
Speaking to TEB after the match, manager Davenport commented;
First of all, we give credit to Milford, who despite being depleted in numbers, still came today to give their best. Whilst the difference in league positions and squad strengths would always favour us, we knew we had to start strongly and settle quickly. The girls did just that and from then on, it was in our control.
Asked about the goals scored, Dean added;
We scored at good times and, to be honest, some of the goals today were top drawer. We had two hat-tricks today, young Leanne and Gemma who is making a habit of it these days. But it was the work rate and effort of the whole squad that I was most pleased with. Whilst we will face stronger challenges this season, notably next week away at Gillingham, the girls did as asked today and now have a cup final to look forward to. Between now and then, it is feet firmly on the ground and time to focus on the main job of the season. League success. Whilst we would all like to win the Surrey FA County Cup, it would be somewhat hollow if we do not fulfil our potential in the title chase.
Palace Ladies now prepare for one of the toughest games left to play. They visit title chasing Gillingham on Sunday, in what could be a crucial league game, against a side looking to avenge the win Palace secured earlier in the season. When asked about the big game, Dean was looking forward to it;
Whilst the Gillingham match will not decide our season, it could go a long way to defining it. We are as ready as we can be and I know the girls will be up for the challenge.
The Surrey FA County Cup Final will take place between Palace Ladies and AFC Wimbledon Ladies at Leatherhead Football Club on the evening of Thursday 21st April 2016.
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