Crystal Palace Ladies FC

With the U13 Blues playing Teddington in the other semi at Fortress Hillside prior to the Reds (sadly losing 6-3, preventing all all CPLFC final from occurring), the larger than normal crowd were keeping Jason busy on the tea urn as the biting wind took the tempreture down to 2 degrees.

In an effort to defuse any pre match tension, Shola's dad donned a adult baby grow and will now forever be called La-la, and Lucy ensured that her lucky charm (pink string on her shorts) was fully visible from the start of the game... Rick gathered his squad in a huddle which I assume allowed him to whisper his team talk to the team or perhaps they were all keeping warm.

Palace started with Rebekah in goal, Emily (RB), Hannah W (LB) and Lucy in the middle of defence, Midfield of Hannah Mc (LM), Mia L (RM), Elle (CM) Shola (CM) and Rebecca up top and the game began in much the same way as the prior fixture with both teams passing well and not shirking from tackles. With a strong wind blowing across the pitch the right side Palace saw most of the early exchanges with Hannah Mc terrorising her marker and both Elle and Rebecca interchanging passes with her along the edge of the Wimbledon box.

Wimbledon had the benefit of having a very tall striker and looked to utilise an early long ball as often as possible, but the back 3 of Palace coped well with the threat, limiting Wimbledon opportunities to shoot goalwards. When required, Rebekah's goal kicks were (as always) pin point accurate and quickly turned defence in attack, especially on the right wing as Mia L began to dominate the Wimbledon right back.

As the half progressed, Shola began to dominate the centre circle, forcing her opposite number, recognised as one of the better of Wimbledon's team over the last few seasons further and further back, and Hannah W was engaged in a great battle with the Wimbledon right winger, and when beaten Emily made sure that no further progress was made. Emily was unlucky to see an accurate through ball to Rebecca not getting "the treatment" it deserved and with Mia L and Hannah W continuing to offer width to the team and Elle revelled in attacking Wimbledon with mazy dribbles.

Between a couple of corners won by Wimbledon, Rebecca's confidence began to grow and she was unlucky not to score with the Wimbledon keeper making fine saves as her feet and after a defection from a shot, Palace won what was to become an important corner. Hannah McW delivered a superb corner which was put behind by Wimbledon, but it simply proved to be a rehearsal for the main event from the other side of the pitch where she struck a outswinger to the far post which was met on the half volley by the onrushing Elle and planted past the keeper. 1 nil !

India came on to offer a different option upfront, using her speed to put the Wimbledon defence under pressure at all times, Wimbledon reacted by putting on their second beanpole player, who possessed a Rory Delap like long throw, and had a period of sustained pressure towards the end of the half, dropping long and high throws over the heads of the defence, however Rebekah was rarely called into action.

A feisty encounter in midfield resulted in a succession of free kicks for both sides, one from Wimbledon being a fairly decent attempt, however it was gathered by Rebekah and half time saw Palace walk off feeling confident they had the measure of table topping Wimbledon again.

Second half saw Wimbledon push their tall strikers forward and in truth began to cause the Palace defence problems and Rick made the tactical decision to push Lucy to right back, Shola to centre back and brought Elizabeth and Maya into midfield, slowly put surely the WImbledon game plan was nullified and with Rebecca coming back on, suddenly Palace looked far more threatening, Hannah W and Maya combining well on the left and Lucy and Hannah Mc on the right as Palace exploited the width.

A good passing move saw a terrific cross from Hannah landed at the feet of Rebecca who took one touch of the bouncing and then launched a right foot shot which flew into the top left hand corner of the goal, past the despairing Wimbledon goalkeeper.

Palace were in the driving seat however the game became fractured and bogged down in midfield as Wimbledon generally good play descended into long balls which rolled to Rebekah and their better players becoming frustrated with Shola, Lucy, Elizabeth, Maya and Mia L who never game them an inch to play in.

With Mia Q introduced, her close control and passing range suddenly suddenly began to offer Palace different outlets and Wimbledon's left and right backs continually turned on their heels as Maya, Mia L, Elle and Hannah Mc latched onto her passes, however Wimbledon did have a series of attacks, forcing numerous corners, which were generally dealt with well, but it wasn't long before the third goal arrived, courtesy of Elle who after receiving a simple pass, tore through the Wimbledon defence and calmly hit the bottom corner of the net. 3 Nil !

After this, the game was effectively over and Palace had a chance to add a fourth with Mia L unlucky to see her smart turn and shot parried by the dependable Wimbledon keeper and Elizabeth burst through only for the ball to trundle past the post.

With the final few minutes looming, Wimbledon through caution to the wind and a few brief forays into the Palace box did result in some excitement for Rebekah, and what should be considered a collectors item ... a header from Mia Q ! ... however the game finished with Palace deserved winners on the day.

Special mention need to be given to Rick and Jason who did a marvellous job perparing the pitch for 3 games today, when numerous other fixtures were called off.

Palace are now unbeaten in 20 games this season, and go into their next match (semi final Vs Crawley Wasps) in with great confidence

Well done girls ..