Crystal Palace Ladies FC

The Lady Eagles moved into the 3rd round of the FA Cup,but they were far from their best, especially in the first half against a hard working but below standard Ipswich side who posed few problems for Sam Saint in goal.Indeed their only real threat was from set pieces but as long as the game was goalless then they always had a chance, and with the ladies missing a hatfull of chances they were doing their best to help them in that quest.

After a half time "talking to" from manager Dean Davenport the ladies looked much more positive with wingers Alma Donohoe and Jade Davenport starting to get past their respective full backs and setting up chances for Mary Onianwa and Roschelle Shakes who both managed to work the keeper. This more positive attitude paid off in the 57th minute when Charlotte Cavanagh fed Davenport who left the full back trailing before playing the ball in to Shakes at the near post to turn and fire past the keeper. Abi Igbavboa and Nicha Dyett came on in the 60th minute and immediately began to make their presence felt with both going close before in the 74th minute Igbavboa received a ball from Grace Beegan down the left, she cut inside past two defenders before curling a shot over the came for a lovely goal.

Palace saw the rest of the game out comfortably and could even have had a couple more with both Shakes and Dyett missing glorious chances and the game ending 2-0 to them.

Manager Davenport said that although it wasn't a great performance it was the result that mattered and he was over the moon to be in the third round draw. Palace were drawn at home to super league 2 side Reading in the 3rd round on 1st Febuary.