PALACE POWER PAST QPR - HITTING NINE ON DAY ONE

Palace Ladies hit the ground running as they opened their 2017-18 FA Women’s Premier League campaign against Queens Park Rangers Ladies.
The Eagles, following up on their successful first season at this level, are looking to continue their recent development and move closer towards the elite side of the sport – The Women’s Super League.

Palace, fielding a number of new additions for the new season, looked to settle early against a younger and generally less experienced Rangers side. The opening spell saw Palace adjust, and although with almost permanent possession, were unable to unlock the visitors set-up, that was camped in close quarters behind the ball. However, on 10 minutes, the breakthrough came through one of the new Palace signings, Nikita Whinnett, who together with Palace hot-shot, Gemma Bryan had gone close, beforehand.
Following this Palace moved into regular slick phases of pay, although were repelled, often at the last minute by a defiant QPR.
The first half saw a congested midfield expertly controlled by some efficient and at time exquisite touches from Ciara Sherwood and the imperious(and player of the match) Leesa Haydock. It was the Northern Ireland International, Sherwood, who set up the Palace second with a perfect pass through to Bryan who coolly slotted home, to break the Rangers resolve.

The 2-0 scoreline at the break was probably not what Palace felt they deserved from their dominance and this certainly appeared to be at the front of their minds at the re-start. In a devastating display of dominance and, at times, irresistible football The Eagles tore a tiring Rangers side apart, with the new partnership of Whinnett and Bryan, showing signs of what manager Dean Davenport had looked to bring into the new season. Before QPR knew it, they were 4-0 down with goals from Bryan (51) and Whinnett (54). By now, the machine was in full effect and soon saw Bryan grab her hat trick on 57 minutes, to put Palace 5-0 up.
Despite their dominance, Palace were made to wait until the 74th minute for the next goal, when Bryan and Whinnett were momentarily put in the shade by Steff Simmons, who cut in from the right and unleashed a world class shot into the top left corner; proving that Palace have quality in all areas of the squad.

Not to be overshadowed, Bryan and Whinnett set the record straight as soon as two minutes later when the debutant scored her own hat trick goal, followed by two more from Bryan (87 and 89) to conclude a crushing 9-0 win for The Eagles.

Speaking after the match, Palace manager Davenport was naturally pleased, although predictably coy as to the game and the forthcoming season.

“Today was about getting things up and running on the match front. Through no real fault of our own, our pre-season had too few games and this was about us getting the training into a reality and some miles on the clock. It was particularly pleasing to see the new faces bed into the squad so quickly; not just the new signings, but the junior players we have brought through the ranks.”

Asked as to the new partnership of Bryan and Whinnett, Davenport was clearly pleased,

“We all know, as do our opponents, what Gemma can do for us, so part of the reason of bringing in Nikita was to give an added dimension for our play, but also for defences to think about. Today, we saw signs of what they are capable of. What we now have to do, is build on this result and concentrate on the next game, as there will be no guarantees in a tight league, this season.”

Asked if he had any concerns moving forwards, Davenport added,

“We have a couple of niggles that will need assessing over the next few days. The only other issue today, is the apparent demand for match balls!”

Palace resume FAWPL duties, away at newly promoted, Chichester on Sunday 27th August

Photo:- Gemma Bryan and Nikita Whinnett celebrate with the team after the fine win. Photo by Michael Hulf