Crystal Palace Ladies FC

Palace hosted Guilford this afternoon boosted by two new loan signing Arta Hamiti and Chrissy Damianides

Palace started on the front foot and took advantage of a very high defensive line employed by Guilford, they very quickly realized they had to sacrifice the usual passing game and become more direct. They broke the deadlock after just 12 mins when a cross from Bekki Keyte found Hamiti who set up Abi Deene, she unselfishly laid it back for Okasia Brown to smash home for 1-0, the excellent Connie Lowman then slotted through for Hamiti to extend the lead.

Then followed a devastating 4 goals in 12 mins, first, Ella Aylett squared to Brown who played a delightful one/two with Keyte and finished in style then Ash Marchant flighted a perfect ball over that Hamiti cleverly guided into the path of Deene with a cushioned header, Deene finished for 4-0. Captain Lucy Baker then got in on the act as she drilled home from 30 yards following a surging run and Hamiti completed the first half scoring with calm, composed finish to give the girls a comfortable 6-0 half time lead.

Following half time instructions to play possession football and employ a less direct approach the girls continued to dominate but in a different way. New loan signing Damianides got on the scoresheet immediately with a stunning 25 yard strike into the top corner for a debut goal and this was quickly followed by another fine team goal when Anais Reynolds strode majestically out from the back and fed Aylett on the left, left back Sadiye Yilmaz saw an opportunity to overlap and received a great pass, she looked up and squared an inch perfect ball for Keely Nazareth to smash home for 8-0.

Briefly, Guilford began to penetrate the defence and had a 10 min spell that concerned the strong back line, Hannah Donnelly produced a stunning one handed save before the striker pulled one back for 8-1, Hamiti completed her hat trick in the 82nd min to put the icing on a fine victory for the girls as they march on at the top of the table.

Really great to see the new girls fit into an established group so well, they settled quickly and were welcomed by the rest of the team. A professional job done throughout the game and we look forward to a top of the table clash at Fulham next week.