Crystal Palace Ladies FC

The Blues played their best football of the season as they overcame the challenge of third placed Walton Casuals Sapphires with a convincing 4-1 victory. 

The teams have history from last season where the Blues never seemed to perform against the Sapphires but this season had to be different if the result was to go in favour of the home team. 



From the kick off the Blues set their stall out, with quick passing and strong defending the order of the day. 

The first goal was always going to be crucial for the game as a whole and it fell to the Blues with captain Ellie smashing one of her trademark shots into the net from all of twenty five yards. The lead was almost doubled moments later when Sarah hit the woodwork. 

H/T Blues 1 Sapphires 0

The halftime message from the Blues management team was to keep doing what the girls had been doing but it took an amazing one handed stop from Maisie to keep the team in the ascendancy. 



Slowly the team grew in confidence once again and went further ahead when Martha superbly blasted home from the edge of the box. Moments later it was 3-0 when Keeley managed to get a toe to the ball in an almighty goalmouth scramble to force the ball over the line. 

It was the only time in the match that the Walton heads dropped and that allowed Caloe to add a fourth late on. 

To their credit Walton pushed on and were rewarded with a late consolation goal but it was a case of too little too late. 

Manager Joe Fazzino said after the game "What a performance from my team.

Every player wanted to show me what they could do and they certainly did. The defence was amazing - Amy, Hera, Amani and Syd were strong all game and organised themselves brilliantly whilst being backed up by Maisie in goal. The midfield of Ellie and Emma is the best in the league by far in both attitude and ability while Sarah, Keeley, Caloe, Sophie and Martha will rip most defences apart.

This game doesn't mean we've won the title but will certainly shake up a few of our rivals who were expecting us to fail.

The wonderful victory however wasn't the highlight of the day. That honour falls to second half linesman Ike who managed to perform a half somersault, half roly-poly whilst running the line. No medical assistance was required but it showed the commitment of the players, parents and the management team. It was a moment of magic in a season of delights.