NOT-NewsNow

Crystal Palace Women 0 Coventry United Ladies 0: Hard fought point for Eagles

|

Both sides wasted good chances to gain all three points in the opening day fixture of the Women’s Championship at Hayes Lane.

Coventry started the brighter of the two sides as Amber Hughes attacked the Palace back line after ten minutes but her resulting shot was straight at Palace keeper Lucy Gillett.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges but long range efforts from Jade Formaston and Katy Morris both went wide of Gilett’s goal.

Palace grew into the match and started to create their own opportunities. Rea Laudat, one of several debutants for Palace, had a chance from point blank range on the half hour mark but lobbed the ball over the roof of the net.

Ashlee Hincks then had a good one on one opportunity just before the end of the first half. A long ball from Gillett evaded the Coventry defence and found Hincks but the forward volleyed wide as the ball took an unfortunate bounce.

The Eagles started the second half strongly and gained control of the play and created further chances.

Hincks had another opportunity minutes in but curled her shot just wide and Cherelle Khassal came close on 58 minutes after her volley also went wide of Sue Wood’s post.

Later in the second half, Palace had two more good chances to seal victory in the opening game. First, Freya Holdaway connected with a corner, but her shot was scrambled away by Coventry’s defence.

Four minutes from time, Hincks’ cross into the six yard box was almost met by Khassal by she was unable to find the decisive touch to secure the 3 points for Palace.

Reaction – Although Coventry started brightly, Palace edged the play towards the end of the first half and created the better opportunities in the second half. More clinical finishing would have provided the Eagles with an opening day victory, but they have secured a well earned point against a good Coventry side.

Next Up – Palace make the long journey north to face top of the table Durham this Sunday (August 25, kick off 12 p.m).

Share this article