Crystal Palace Ladies FC

A long trip South to Frimley Green Fc for the girls today as we welcomed two loan signings Katie Morris and Sam Saint and our very own returning defender Lexie Spokes.

A tough game today against the title favourites Fulham, following a defeat and a win against them previously it was always going to be close. Hard working Palace settled into the game quickly and set about the task of maintaining defensive shape whilst also offering an attacking threat. The back four of Sadiye Yilmaz, Lucy Baker, Morris and Spokes stood up strong and restricted Fulham to long range efforts in an even first half. At the other end Tyra Wilson worked tirelessly on her own, holding the ball up well and in the 31st min almost set Okasia Brown free but the keeper won the the race to the ball and knocked it out for a corner. The resulting set piece gave Palace their best chance of the half when Spokes swung it over to the near post, Bekki Keyte connected but skewered it inches wide. A tired two teams trudged off for a well-earned rest following a pulsating, physically demanding and tactical first half

Fulham started the strongest in the second half but could not compete with the defensive strengths of midfield duo Abi Deene and Alice Fuller, they did test keeper Saint on two occasions but she was equal to it and made the saves. It wasn’t just defending on Palace minds as they threatened on the break, first Spokes went on a marauding run and found Keyte on the right, she crossed for Keely Nazareth to pounce but the ball crept wide. Ella Aylett was next to show with a dazzling run past three defenders but was thwarted by an excellent covering tackle as she was about to shoot. Connie Lowman came on to help create a little more in the midfield and Ash Marchant came on to shore up the defence and allow Yilmaz to get forward but it was Fulham who almost snatched it at the end, Baker denied the centre forward but the ball rebounded to her strike partner who set her eyes on a stinging shot but it was Morris who flung herself in front and produce a stunning block. So the game ended 0-0 in what had been a thoroughly entertaining affair and as all sides of the management agreed a very fair result.

These girls have come so far this season and work so hard for each other and are deservedly taking the plaudits. It would have taken something special from either side to win this game but the two defences were just too strong. The girls remain top of the table and take valuable experience from this game as they continue to develop on a personal level and as a team.