Women’s football: Crystal Palace will be Super League side next season after win over Lewes

BY DIANA MORAIS

Crystal Palace are on the cusp of promotion to the Women’s Super League for the first time in their history after a 2-0 win at Lewes on Sunday.

The Eagles moved into first place in the Women’s Championship with a three-point gap between them and second-place Charlton.

Laura Kaminski’s Palace side also have a far superior goal difference – 22 – over the Addicks.

Shanade Hopcroft’s superb volley and Molly Sharpe’s composed finish gave Palace all three points.

“I can’t put it into words,” said Kaminski, who was appointed Eagles head coach in July.

“All I’ll say is that I haven’t just got a talented group of players that will work for each other – I’ve found a group of people that are just amazing athletes, amazing footballers, and what a group.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to work alongside such talented, great people, and what a great club to do it at. Obviously from the outside, you don’t see it, but the feel of the club at the moment is just so together and really progressive. I’m so happy for the players because I know they’ve worked so hard.

“They’ve been really cool and calm all year, but this is what we’ve been striving for. Although no-one spoke about it in the early days, we always knew we could be better. I always knew the potential of the group, which is why I came to the club.”

Palace host Sunderland at Selhurst Park on Sunday to wrap up their campaign.

Charlton will finish the season with an unbeaten away record after a 1-0 win at Sunderland on Sunday.

Kayleigh Barton scored the only goal of the game for Karen Hills’ side.

The Addicks host Southampton on the final day.

AFC Wimbledon are National League Division One South East champions after their 2-2 draw with Worthing.

The Dons have ended their eight-year wait for promotion. Goals from Skye Bacon and captain Hannah Billingham gave Kevin Foster’s side all three points.

Erin Cuthbert’s 40th-minute strike gave Chelsea a 1-0 lead in their Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Barcelona.

Blues boss Emma Hayes said: “Barcelona are an extraordinary team and their short passing makes it so difficult, because you have to have such discipline to hold your positions, which the team did for the most part.

“Of course, you need a little bit of luck it goes in both directions those things.

“It’s the halfway point and we know Barcelona didn’t have their best game – so we expect something at the next level from them and at Stamford Bridge, it’s going to be really really tough for us.

“We know Barcelona are the best team in Europe and we know that everything has to be perfect to be close to winning a game of football.

“We took our chance and the team did a lot to limit chances as a whole but you can only do that together – you can’t do that individually – and the team did that job well.”
The return leg against Barcelona takes place at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.”

PICTURES: CPFC