Crystal Palace Ladies FC

A lively opening from the home side saw them take the lead after great work from Syd created an opening for Sarah and this seasons leading scorer duly dispatched the chance into the net for an early lead.

Emma was unlucky not to score with a drive from outside the box and Natalie hit the outside of the post but the failure to get the second goal let Ascot back into the game.

After numerous close shaves Ascot drew level with a deserved equaliser before half time which left the Blues hanging on for half time.

H/t Blues 1 Ascot 1

Following a stern and frank half time team talk the Blues came out determined to regain the lead and began to play the style of football that has been their hallmark all season.

The lead was regained when great work down the right by Sarah created a chance for Sophie who scored with a coolness that defied her young years.

Again the team pushed forward in search of the killer third goal with Caloe unlucky when clean through and captain Ellie who clipped the top of the bar with one of her trade mark long range efforts.

Ascot to their credit kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser and thought they had it in the last minute of the game when their forward broke through only to be denied by an incredible last ditch tackle from Hera.

After the match manager Joe Fazzino said "This was a win and three points but I'm not happy with the performance that my girls gave today. Before the match my assistant Garry had spoken to the girls about attitude being as important as ability but we just never got to grips with a lively Ascot side. The only positive to take is the performances of Sarah and Sophie who worked incredibly hard for the team. We go to Fleet next week and I know that we will have to be better than we were today but one thing that you can't take away from my girls is the ability to fight from the first whistle to the last. I'm still confident that we will be title winners and I can ensure all parents that we will keep battling until the end of the season."