Match Report - CRYSTAL PALACE FC GIRLS - 04 May 2024

Season Ends In Defeat For Town!

The team made their way to South London for the final league game of the season against Crystal Palace. In what had become the norm recently, only a small squad of 12 travelled and injuries within that squad would have to be managed.

A strong start from the girls, pinning their opposition in the final third for the majority of the opening 10 minutes but whether a lack of confidence they could not find a finish when the chances presented themselves. Palace held firm and with their first chance of note took the lead, a well struck free kick rebounding from the crossbar and the hosts quicker to the loose ball (1-0). The goal aside, there was nothing to choose between the teams although the pattern of missed chances continued, Izzy saved, Lila blocked, Liv wide and Emilia side netting some of the more stand out chances. Again they were to pay, another clean strike at the end of the half increasing the home sides advantage (2-0).

HT 2-0

With the two goal cushion, a calmer Palace team came through the second period pretty unscathed, Wimborne not creative enough in the attacking third to make any kind of breakthrough. Injuries made for a rejigging of players, Emily and Lila forced into more unusual forward positions. The home team stuck to their game plan, diagonal balls in behind the Wimborne back line and these had the desired effect, two more well taken goals (3-0) (4-0) showing a one sided scoreline. The team had again given their all but had nothing left in the tank at the end of a very testing season.

FT:

C. Palace 4

WTFC. 0

POM: Emilie (a more central role today, driving runs put the team in good positions, not one to shirk a challenge)

Summary:

A match that easily could have taken a different direction, with a bit more belief, a goal for in the early stages could have meant for a more competitive match. Although soundly beaten on paper all the girls left nothing on the pitch.

Season summary:

Certainly been a journey!

Some positive performances before Xmas but a healthy, strong squad was to be threadbare at times. Jess and Laila were a big loss with injury, good news is that both are now showing signs of improvement. The girls have stood toe to toe with some of the best age group players around and have far from looked out of place, especially in that first half of the season but probably a lack of numbers available, whether to freshen the team up or change things tactically had been the main negative for the group. Aside from Emily and Chloe stepping in to help with numbers later in the season, the girls had all been true under17s in a very strong u18 league, this very young team have showed strength and character in a tough environment at times.