Crystal Palace Ladies FC

Sunday saw an unexpected and frustrating week off for our first team, following a late night call on Saturday from an under strength Norwich team. Less than ideal, but out of our hands!

With the Reserve team squad already notified of their call up for Sunday's game away at West Ham, there was little room for those now game-less players to get some game time, in the build up to this Sunday and the FA Cup.

In fact, it was those very reserve team players who had some unfinished business to settle on Sunday, and were glad of the opportunity. Earlier in the season, high-flying West Ham (challenging Brighton for the Southern League title) caused heartache for the young Palace reserves when during an excruciating and wholly inexplicable nine minutes of injury time, The Irons scored the winner in a 3-2 thriller, against the injury ravaged ten player Palace side.

Despite the cruel loss in that game, this was perhaps a defining moment, when a team, playing together for the first time this season, realised quite how far they had developed and what they could move on to.

So, arriving at a very tired pitch in East London, The Eagles were in good form. With the experienced Freya Holdaway making her Eagles debut and the return of Nisha Dyett and Stephanie Mann for those on the injury list, the girls were ready to cast off the disappointment of the earlier home game.

The game started pretty evenly with spells of good pressure by Palace, matched by solid defending and commanding midfield play by the hosts. The West Ham girls showed why they sit in the top two, with competent and efficient use of the ball, effectively marshalled by the impressive Holdaway at centre-back. The Palace game plan was working well though, and The Eagles were always a threat on the break, with the pace of Dyett and Leanne Bell.

In a first half, occasionally affected by the pitch conditions and more often by some, at times, overly cautious officiating, the score remained goalless, with the only additional incidents being a disputed booking for the tenacious and industrious Dyett and a Palace shot from distance that appeared to beat the keeper, high into the net and return into play, only for the ref to wave play on.

The second half started with both teams testing the opposition defence. However, it was West Ham who broke the deadlock form one of a number of threatening corners. The cross evaded Sophie Bridson in goal and was converted from close range, much to the apparent relief of the West Ham ranks.

Illustrating the spirit being developed in this fledgling team, Palace continued with the high tempo game plan, with Mann now taking up the reins in midfield. The Palace pressure began to build as they refused to surrender despite a couple of lengthy injury breaks. This resulted in a series of corners for The Eagles, one of which was slotted home by Holdaway, proving her value at both ends of the park.

The last ten minutes were a frantic affair with some stalwart defending from the West Ham centre-backs as Palace gave it their all for a winner.

With comments being made on the touchline relating to the old adage of things evening out over a season, could the nine minutes of injury time work in favour of The Eagles? They weren't going to miss the chance to find out. And so it came to pass. With three minutes to go, Bell picked up the ball on the right in her own half, following a counter attack by The Hammers. Despite the pitch and it being the ninety-sixth minute, Bell outpaced the covering midfielder and left back, cut in to the area and unleashed a shot that was initially saved, but spilled by the otherwise impressive Hammers 'keeper.

The ball rolled beyond her immediate grasp and into the path of Dyett, who had taken the chance on one last run into the box, and beaten the centre-back to the loose ball, passing into the net from two yards.

The final three minutes according to the players seemed like an eternity as they valiantly battled to avoid a repeat of the last minute pain earlier in the season. With some adept use of the ball, largely in the West Ham half, they saw the game out and secured a thoroughly deserved victory. This appeared not to be appreciated by all at the game, but credit should go to the West Ham players who showed why they are a force to be reckoned with.

Speaking after the game, Reserve team coach, Clinton Lancaster said, "We couldn't be prouder of the girls today. Most of them suffered a real hardship in the home game, but we told them at the time that it would serve to make them stronger. And so it has."

Lancaster added, "This is a new team this season, with some girls who are only just 16 playing on a regular basis. With the progress of our development squads, we knew we should be playing in the national reserve league, so that we can support our first team as best we can. What the girls have shown here, is that development is a continual process and if you work hard enough, take the defeats with dignity and positivity, you become a better player and team. We couldn't be more proud of what these girls are achieving."

Also speaking after the game by telephone from Croydon, head coach Dean Davenport added, "Yes. Get in."!

So, to this weekend. The biggest game in our history. The highest placed team we have ever played and a true example of an FA Cup David v Goliath.

Palace fans, come join us. We all know what your support can do for a team! Dare we dream? Whatever happens, we are proud to be representing you in The Famous Red And Blue.

WE ARE PALACE AND PROUD!