Crystal Palace Ladies suffer 5-1 reverse at local rivals Brighton

BY MAX CHESTERTON

Brighton & Hove Albion clinched their third win of the season with a 5-1 victory over rivals Crystal Palace to keep their FA Continental Tyres League Cup qualification hopes on track.

Kate Natkiel bagged a brace either side of half-time as Sophie Perry, Jodie Brett and Felicity Gibbons also struck to clinch the spoils and put them second in Group One South.

Brighton flew out the blocks and they almost scored straight from kick-off through Natkiel’s strike but Hope Powell’s side soon took the lead on 12 minutes with a stunning passing move.

The Seagulls worked the ball from right to left magnificently and Perry struck the ball hard enough at Shanell Salgado that the keeper could do little but watch the ball ricochet off her and into the net.

The hosts almost doubled their lead when Natkiel wonderfully crossed to Perry but the goalscorer could only fire over the crossbar from six yards.

Emily Simpkins scuppered a golden opportunity but it mattered little as Brighton struck again when Natkiel pounced on a loose ball to fire at Salgado before tucking home the rebound.

Palace couldn’t contain Brighton’s attacking dominance and the hosts struck their third before the break when Brett burst through midfield to fire low into the net.

Brighton should have had more but Perry missed successive one-on-ones, while Palace’s Chloe Burr snatched at a clear-cut opportunity at the other end.

Natkiel showed no hesitation though as she curled in the fourth with a sweet left-footed strike, before Gibbons completed the rout with a driving run and powered effort.

Burr slapped the crossbar from 25 yards and she deserved the consolation goal she earned Palace five minutes from time.

 

 

Brighton forward Kate Natkiel said:“It’s amazing to get a win and that’s definitely what we needed off the back of a couple of tough results.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a cup game, it’s good to get the win really. I am really happy to get on the scoresheet for the first time this season as well.

“That was exactly what we needed, a win is a win – it doesn’t matter what competition or what scheme it is in. I definitely think it will give us the confidence going into Chelsea at the weekend.

“I should have scored the first one first time, but luckily the rebound fell to me. My left foot seems to be better than my right foot!”

 

Crystal Palace youngster Charmaine True said:“It was hard to come off the bench, but I enjoyed the run out.

“It’s only my second appearance with the first team, so it’s been a good experience to come on in my second game against a WSL team.

“I think we did well and we all battled hard to the end. We should be proud of ourselves. It’s hard playing against them, but I don’t think you could see the difference that much.

“They are a lot fitter than us because they train every day and I think maybe it was fitness in the end that made the difference.

“We are doing well considering that we only joined the Championship this year.”

 

To follow all of the action during the season and to buy tickets; visitwww.ticketstores.co.uk/fawsl/

 

IMAGE BY KEITH GILLARD