Crystal Palace Ladies FC

After the quagmire of a pitch we played at the same venue in January, it was a very welcome to see the pitch in a much better condition for our second visit to Walton-on-Thames this year.

The game got off to a very cagey start from both teams with defences well on top at both ends. With Walton playing it long from the back, we found it difficult to get our passing game going through midfield, and apart from a few half chances falling to Renai McCrea, Eleanor Hutchings and Kadelia Wilkins, which were all missed, opportunities were scarce. So goalless at half time.

The second half saw the game open up and this suited our passing style much better with Joy Eden and Libby Gregory beginning to get some through balls past the tight defence. Our opening goal had a touch of fortune about it as Eleanor ran on to a nice through ball, and after the Walton keeper blocked her shot, the ball ricocheted into the net. Our second followed shortly afterwards when Eleanor cut in from the left wing beat two defenders and fired past the keeper inside the near post with a low shot for a lovely finish.

Further opportunities came our way but without addition to the score-line. The last quarter finally saw Walton test our defence and only a superb stop from Saskia Kacary when faced with a one-on-one situation kept our goal intact. In the last five minutes Walton did score with a fortunate goal which spun away from Saskia, bt we held on to continue our fine run of form since the New Year.

Good defending kept the score at 2-1 to repeat the score-line from our January game.

Next up – AFC Wimbledon away on Sunday 15th March – Kick off 10.00am