Blues come unstuck on a sticky pitch

Conditions play a major factor in defeat

AFC Wimbledon Blues 2 Crystal Palace Blues 0

Palace Blues fell to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of AFC Wimbledon in a game where conditions played a major factor.

The first half saw the Blues under a constant barrage of attacks from a bright AFC Wimbledon side who used the brisk wind in their favour to keep Palace pinned back in their half.

After a number of corner kicks AFC took the lead with a shot from the edge of the box which flew straight in to the net.

There were glimmers of the attacking play that the Blues are famous for with Sophie , Sarah & Martha almost breaking through a resolute AFC defence but they were never able to find the killer pass.

The rest of the half saw AFC continue to press while the Blues led by the superb Amy just managed to hold firm.

H/t AFC 1 Blues 0

With the wind at their backs and with some half time substitutions made the Blues began to push AFC back and opportunities began to flow for both sides.

AFC struck the second goal after a wonderful cross from the right was turned in from close range but as always the Blues then played their best football.

Sophie drew an incredible save from the AFC keeper to deny a certain goal and then Sarah was unlucky not to pull a goal back when her thunderbolt of a shot smashed the bar and bounced down. It appeared to cross the line but the referee waved play on which crushed the remaining Blues spirit.

After the game manager Joe Fazzino said " I'm disappointed with the result but once again I'm proud of my girls and their performance in conditions that were barely playable.

That said I felt that while we were never at our best we deserved at least a goal which we should've had following Sarah's strike which looked over the line from where I was.

There were some solid performances today - Amy was back to her best , Rosie kept goal well & Sophie showed what she can do in a more attacking role.

I'm so pleased that we've got through this without any injuries as we build towards the Surrey Cup semi finals next Sunday. I can guarantee that I will have a team who will be ready for the challenge ahead and we will leave no stone unturned at training on Friday in order to get the win".